A recent profile of pastors suggests that the three most stressful areas of a pastor's life are church politics, financial shortfalls, and difficult relationships with staff and other church officials. In each of these factors, there appears to be little connection with what the core of ministry is supposed to be about in the first place - bringing the presence of God to people who yearn for it.
We must surely be in the throes of a crisis of ministry when the very context of ministry itself is heavily overlaid with countervailing circumstances and debilitating human forces.
Kortright Davis, Serving with Power: Reviving the Spirit of Christian Ministry
"In each of these factors, there appears to be little connection with what the core of ministry is supposed to be about in the first place - bringing the presence of God to people who yearn for it."
ReplyDeleteThat's because that part isn't stressful. It's challenging, but in ways that give me nourishment and energy.
While I can't imagine any cultural setting or era when "the very context of ministry itself is" NOT "heavily overlaid with countervailing circumstances and debilitating human forces," I agree with Davis if he's saying that ministers' preoccupation with those stressors can distract us from our core purpose. By a lucky coincidence ;-), that purpose is also one of the best solutions to the stressors. I know that doing more to keep *myself* connected to the holy not only helps me keep my congregation connected to the holy, but it is a more important approach to coping with church politics, financial worries, and staff tensions than any number of books or workshops. (Books and workshops have their place, of course. They're just not an adequate replacement for a spiritual practice.)
Such a thoughtful comment. Your perspective reminds me of Edwin Friedman's work, especially his view that if the leadership is healthy and grounded, the congregation will be, also. Many ministers don't know how to escape the managerial and political issues that are so time consuming, and some believe this is their role. I hope you spread your Gospel to fellow clergy.
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