Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. | Hebrews 13:17
Back in November, I wrote a blog post about pastoral stress. I point to this, not to belabor the point, but because as I prepare for some time away, it is helpful to think through why the elders plan for rest. My good friend and pastor, Sam Ford, did a great job preaching on this as he prepared for his own sabbatical. In the past, I haven’t felt like I need time away from the church, but the last year has made me recognize a need for a break. I am really looking forward to a time of replenishment.
That is not what I want to write about here; this blog is going to be about the joys of being a pastor. When pastors spend too much time focusing on the difficulty of leading God’s people, they can easily lose sight of the calling. By calling, I do not simply mean the invitation to be a pastor, but the benefits and responsibilities that come with being used by God to lead His church. I want to give you a glimpse into some of the great benefits that I have enjoyed being a pastor:
1. I get a front row seat to God working through His people.
There are a lot of people doing a lot of good things in the church. Each individual member sees some of these, but the pastors are part of most of the great moments of love and generosity. When I say part of, I do not mean that the majority of God’s good work in the church is done BY the pastors. Instead, I mean that as overseers, pastors are informed of and witness to the church being the church (case in point, this week we are part of a car donated by one member going to someone else in the church). We get to apply the COVID-relief fund (given by individual members) to those who are struggling. Sometimes we are told of a need in the church in the same e-mail where someone tells us how they plan to solve it.
All of this to say, there are plenty of difficult things that happen when you get a lot of sinners together, but there is an amazing amount of love and care as well. When you get to be part of so much good, it truly overwhelms the bad.
2. I am there to see the changes through time.
One of the odd things about being a pastor at one place for a long time is that you just keep staying. People come and go, some for goods reasons and others not, but you are always there. There are some challenges built into this, but it also allows for a long-term perspective. I get to watch kids grow in the fear and admonition of the Lord. I watch people come in hurt and leave the church with a greater sense of hope. Sometimes I see people holding on to their faith by a thread, but I watch them fight to hold on year after year. What all of this does is allows the results of God’s grace over time to be seen. True change does not happen quickly (this is why they call it progressive sanctification). Leading a church over time allows the fruit of God’s means to be experienced.
3. I’m invited into people’s lives.
Being given a front row seat in people’s lives over time makes you part of their lives. There are certainly some people who like to keep their pastors at arm’s length, but most people come to us when at the peak moments of rejoicing and weeping. I get to be a part of weddings and marriage struggles; at births and leading funerals. While I may not be best buddies with all of the people in the church, I have a unique role in their lives. While many pastors lament the fact that they no longer have normal relationships, I think that it is amazing to be a teacher, counselor, guide, and comfort when needed. For whatever reason, God has equipped me to function well with these types of situations.
4. I have purpose and meaning for my life.
All people want to feel like they are doing something profitable, having some sort of impact on the world. If I measure my role by earthly standards, it leads me to many questions about whether or not being a pastor is a good use of my time, energy, and ‘talents.’ I find great peace in the way that God describes this position in His Word. I am happy to pour my life into something with the assurance of hearing: well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master. One of the benefits of being a pastor is letting go of all of the earthly definitions of success and trusting in God’s eternal purposes. This grows my dependence on Him.
As I prepare for a break, it is as much a time to reflect on all of the blessings of God as it is a time to set some of the burdens down for a bit. It is a humbling thing to be called by God to lead His people; it is an amazing responsibility with indescribable benefit.
Thank you, Communion Church, for making it a joy rather than an excuse for groaning.