FROM THE EDITOR
Eight or nine years ago, I wrote a book on the discouragements of ministry—such things as conflict with a few difficult members, or not being able to see any progress.
Before I sent the manuscript to the printer, I asked Tim Stafford, a writer I admire, to read it and suggest improvements. When I got the thick package back in the mail, I was relieved to read his many encouraging comments. In the margin of one page, though, Tim had scrawled this question: "I wonder if we really help pastors by pitying them?"
It was a rhetorical question, whose obvious answer changed the way I approach Leadership.
Take the statistic often given today that 70 percent of pastors do not have someone they consider a close friend. Is that solely the result of ministry? Or do pastors have the freedom to do something about that?
I think we do have the power to build friendships, and if we risk, we can. Jesus became such good friends with one man that he became nicknamed "the disciple Jesus loved." Paul had an inner circle, whose names are listed throughout his letters. Luther had Melanchthon and others. Despite the impression from some current sources, friendlessness is not a necessary condition for people in ministry.
Another issue often mentioned is that pastors are underpaid. It's true that some ministers, approximately 19 percent, receive inadequate compensation. That's difficult. But according to Leadership's research, pastors' median income is close to the national median. And their median household income is 27 percent higher than the corresponding national figure.
It's also pointed out that pastors are shamefully treated by their congregations. Such situations grieve me, and Leadership has published extensively on ways to prevent and cope with conflict. But we must be careful, lest it sound as if no other Christians face pressures and conflicts.
It's interesting that the New Testament, which speaks frequently of the pressures of being a church leader, never lapses into pity. Even when Paul lists his trials—being shipwrecked, stoned, lashed 39 times—he does it to brag about them.
The New Testament's view of ministry, as I see it, runs something like this:
- There's a war out there arm yourself Eph. 6:10-20
- It's like being a parent it's a night-and-day job 1 Thess. 1:8-10
- It is a noble task, worth setting your heart on 1 Tim. 3:1
- It is a calling for which you will receive "the crown of glory that will never fade away" 1 Pet. 5:4
It's good to see pastors as human; it's dangerous to see them as victims. We must be honest about the sufferings of pastoral ministry, but we must never lapse into self-pity, which Oswald Chambers flatly declared "demonic."
I hope that as you read Leadership, you will always feel understood, encouraged, and strengthened. But I hope you never feel pitied. We respect you too much for that.
P.S. Many people don't realize there's more to the Leadership family than the journal. I'd like to introduce two other members of the family.
The first is a book series, "The Library of Christian Leadership" (co-published with Moorings), which gathers the best articles Leadership has ever published. To order Volume 1, "Changing Lives through Preaching and Worship, or companion volumes on Creativity and Change and Evangelism and Outreach," call The Parable Group at 1-800-299-6299.
A second relative is our monthly audiotape series, Preaching Today. Each tape includes examples of powerful contemporary sermons, plus workshops on how to sharpen your preaching—and even transcripts for your files. To subscribe, call 1-800-866-6464.
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Kevin A. Miller is editor of Leadership.
1996 Christianity Today/LEADERSHIP Journal
