Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

There’s a chance today’s post will end up just being me writing for myself and never make it to the “publish” phase. I feel the need to talk about this topic, but I’m not sure how I will handle the more sensitive aspects so we will just have to see how it plays out.

I’m reacting – or, better, responding – to some of the many viral posts a lot of people (especially preachers) have been sharing via Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. What they tend to look like, in a nutshell, is this:

“Nobody understands how difficult it is to lead a church. I’m expected to be counselor, teacher, CEO, public speaker, master of ceremonies, HR manager, inspirational leader, fundraiser, etc. etc. Most organizations would hire ten people to do my job. I’m expected to work 24/7 for $50,000 a year. My family shouldn’t have to be there. People can be mean…”

(Some preacher who left ministry)

And that’s not the half of it.

Rubbing me the wrong way

This whole trend, in part a response to the post-pandemic existential crisis that many congregations and their pastors seem to be trapped in, is just rubbing me the wrong way.

Ministry has never been easy. But – and this is critically important to understand – it has never been “a nine-to-five job” in the traditional sense and is therefore not well described in terms such as, “They could hire five (or seven, or ten) people to cover my position.”

Ministry, and leadership in the church, is a calling. And the scriptures are clear in a series of promises that God also equips those who God calls.

A short while ago I wrote a post titled, “When Jesus said ‘be like the children’ it was a commentary on leadership too.” The quality of belief God calls us to live into is contagious when it is authentic.

This reminds me of a story from long ago (short version) where a visitor spotted a well-know atheist hurrying toward a London church. “I did not think you accepted this message,” he said. “I do not,” the atheist replied; “but the man who is speaking today believes with such genuine passion that I am compelled to listen.”

Rebekah was often called naïve because she (and the churches she served) were always so positive about ministry, and about a vision for the future. “No, I am not naïve,” she insisted, time and again; “the word you are looking for is ‘believe’.”

If you are called to pastoral ministry then serve. If you no longer feel called then own that.

It is an amazing privilege to be called to a pulpit. Not just for the preacher but for the family too – especially the spouse. I find this trend toward “lecturing” congregations as if they have no idea how hard pastors work and how much more money they need (and time off, and respect, and “self-care,” and more…) to be patronizing at best.

Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

Exodus 4:10-13

“Please send someone else”? If I was God, I most certainly would – DEREK