I received this question on my blog recently.
Ron – What do you think are some of the most frustrating
things that pastors experience?
Great question.
I’m sure, like most jobs, there are frustrating things that happen while
doing the best you know to do. Leadership deals with people. Different people.
There can always be frustrations dealing with people different from us. Even
people who love each other can be frustrated by each other.
But, the question was “most frustrating”. I had to think
about that question.I should first mention that I love the local church. (I shouldn’t have to mention it, but I do.) I believe the church is the hope for the world. I am a proponent of the local, Bible-believing church. We are filled with imperfect people, but our mission is God-inspired, God-given and to be God-glorifying.
Here’s
my reply:
People who abuse power or position – It always bothers
me, but even more so when it happens in the church. That includes, of course,
the pastor. Ultimately, we are to follow Christ, but sometimes we can let
positions and power get in the way of humility and obedience.
People
who live dual lives – Hypocrisy. One church face and one
community face. Frustrating. It gives the church a bad name. Many of my
unchurched friends won’t come to church because they know someone who comes to
church already. And, they aren’t impressed.
Rumors
-
that spread with no basis of truth. (And, yes, it happens…often)
Selfishness
–
People who want what they want, even at the expense and inconvenience of
others. Who will allow their personal preference to interfere with carrying out
the ultimate mission of the church. Doesn’t sound very Biblical to me.
Tradition
– I’m not against tradition per se. I like meeting at a
set time every week, for example. I love getting gifts at Christmas. I get
frustrated with tradition that is adhered to only because of tradition even
thought it gets in the way of making disciples.
Time
wasters – I’m on a mission. I have a keen sense that
time is short and moves faster than I can fathom. I don’t want to waste
precious Kingdom time debating issues that simply don’t matter.
Half-heartedness –
Perhaps I got this one from Jesus. He called it lukewarm. I sense it when the
Spirit of God is obviously active in the room, but so many look at me as if
it’s a typical Sunday. I realize sometimes this is cultural or worship style
preference. I’m okay when it’s that. It is frustrating when it’s a matter of
immaturity of heart, especially when someone has been in the church for many
years, but hasn’t grown deeper and more passionately in love with Christ. Some
days I wish we were a ballgame. With bleachers. And a favorite team. Then
they’d get excited.
So, that’s my honest list.
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