Some people will dismiss this blog, as it’s just Time2 (otherwise known as the Tiffany’s) banging that same old drum again and shouting about “Loving, Encouraging, Recognising, Supporting and Celebrating Church Leaders!” Yes it is, but we’d urge you to please invest 5 minutes in reading this blog, it might not change your life, but it could have a huge effect on your Pastor!
I’ve been reading a blog written by an American pastor about the stresses and strains that he and many other leaders he knows are facing, some of which have been caused or magnified due to Covid-19, but many of which also pre-date the pandemic. It stated that many are seriously and actively considering leaving the ministry, and by that he’s saying that many are attempting to find alternative employment before announcing their departure. It was a very tough read and it left me thinking about all the church leaders that I know personally, how many of them are in a similar position and are seriously considering their futures?
I know that the blog was American, but I’m sure that many of the ‘top six’ reasons quoted, also apply to this side of the pond.
- Pastors are weary from the pandemic - just like everyone else.
- Pastors are greatly discouraged about the fighting taking place amongst their members about the return to ‘normal’.
- Pastors are discouraged about losing members and attendance.
- Pastors don’t know if their churches will be able to support ministries financially in the future.
- Criticisms against pastors have increased significantly.
- The workload of pastors has increased greatly.
The article finished with the phrase - Pastors are burnt out, beaten up and downtrodden!
Already feeling a little deflated, I made the mistake of scrolling down to the comments section. What I found brought tears to my eyes! Over 400 comments, many from church leaders who were honestly sharing how they were feeling. I’ve taken a couple of bits from one as an example:
“I’ve been in ministry 30 years. I’ve never wanted out more than I do now......I am a slave to the plow and if I take my hand off, everybody is let down....... emotional and mental health is not something you can just tell to hang in there. That’s like telling a broken leg to get up and walk. I am trying to finish a sermon and I can’t even figure out what I just wrote.....my heart is breaking.”
Yes, I can hear some of you saying that our transatlantic cousins can be a little bit over-the-top when it comes to sharing their emotions, I had similar thoughts and began to rationalise that it’s obviously not that bad in the UK, but then it hit me! We’re British, we’re famed for our stiff upper lip, our attitude is to just carry on regardless, we don’t show weakness by sharing our feelings! I can honestly say, that from the leaders we’ve spoken to and from stories we’ve read and heard, the situation over here is probably just as bad, if not worse.
We should take a moment to remember that our leaders are human and have feelings and react in the same way that we do. Just because they're smiling on the outside, it doesn't mean that they are on the inside! My standard response to questions about how I am, is to say that I’m fine, even when it's obvious that I’m not! Maybe they’re reacting in the same way!
We believe that God has called us for such a time as this! To champion and raise the profile of our church leaders, to wake up church members to the fact that their pastor may be one of those who is struggling and is on the verge of giving up! The one who needs encouraging, who needs someone to say thank you, or who would love a note that just says I’m thinking and praying for you. It’s such a simple act, but you’ll never know the difference it could make. You could even take Time2 Nominate and Celebrate them.
Time2 will continue to champion, encourage, support and love leaders throughout the UK (and beyond) online and in person. We are still praying that God will provide us with a property where we will be able to have them come and stay with us for a time of rest, relaxation and restoration.
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