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Do Pastors Get Discouraged?

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by USN2Pulpit, Dec 5, 2013.

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  1. USN2Pulpit

    USN2Pulpit New Member

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    Silly question, right?

    Sometimes I have wondered what would happen if I did like so many of my congregation does this time of year - just not show up. It is discouraging when leaders don't show up - and make no provision for their activity or function.

    Last night at prayer service - myself and four others - I asked for prayer against a spirit of discouragement. I'm at a loss, and don't know how to encourage people to either fulfill their responsibilities or just participate in the life of our local body.
     
    #1 USN2Pulpit, Dec 5, 2013
  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Do you have any other pastors nearby that you fellowship with?
     
    #2 Revmitchell, Dec 5, 2013
  3. USN2Pulpit

    USN2Pulpit New Member

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    Yes, however they are all full-time, and I'm bivocational. This leaves very little time for fellowship. Most of the time, it occurs during common meetings we have.
     
    #3 USN2Pulpit, Dec 5, 2013
  4. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Yea that is tuff. Make sure you find as much time as you can to fellowship even over the phone. Spend plenty of time talking with your wife and praying together through these times. Find plenty of other preachers on line or wherever that motivate you. I like to listen to old Billy Graham sermons on youtube. There are also a lot of Lenoard Ravenhill, Ian Paisley, Wilkerson etc. These are very encouraging to me. Here is a video that is also:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec5dJHtMTSg

    Most important stay in the word and prayer. I am sure that is a given.
     
    #4 Revmitchell, Dec 5, 2013
  5. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Also when you get discouraged try to find someone to serve. It can be a great lift up.
     
    #5 Revmitchell, Dec 5, 2013
  6. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    #6 Revmitchell, Dec 5, 2013
  7. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    RevMitchell's idea of fellowship with other pastors is a good one. We have an association on Long Island in Suffolk County of Evangelical pastors and I'm so grateful it is out there. The pastors get together on the first Tuesday of the month at one of the member churches for breakfast (the host church supplies this), teaching (sometimes this is done by the host church, sometimes it's a guest speaker) and good old fashioned prayer. It's been an absolute blessing for my husband in his times of frustration!!

    As for the leaders in your church, you need to sit down with them and cast a vision of responsibility and need to them. There is no way they should just not show up. In a job they would get fired but in a church, we just allow it. Why is that?
     
    #7 annsni, Dec 5, 2013
  8. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    I hope all is well with him as he has not been back since this thread
     
    #8 Revmitchell, Dec 9, 2013
  9. USN2Pulpit

    USN2Pulpit New Member

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    Thanks Rev...sorry I haven't been back, but I have been listening to the messages you linked. Things are better, and I have been lifted up again.

    I appreciate the concern...my secular employment has kept me pinned down this last week, and I was unable to post.
     
    #9 USN2Pulpit, Dec 9, 2013
  10. DocTrinsoGrace

    DocTrinsoGrace New Member

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    I remember reading that the word "hope" as used in Scripture does not mean wishful or positive thinking; rather it means a confident expectation.

    For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:20-21 NASB -- my emphasis)

    I am just an old engineer. However, I have noticed that over the years that when I work on a project whose outcome is doubtful, it is very difficult to persist without becoming discouraged. However, when I work on a project whose outcome is certain, persistence is never an issue.

    You pastors are men who are tasked in a project whose success is the most assured thing in the universe, for it is based on the promise of God. Indeed, He has taken you captive and given you to His church specifically for His eternal purpose.

    Perhaps discouragement arises from looking at the current circumstances, rather than looking at the certain outcome.

    Regardless, pastor, I will join with your congregation in prayer for you.
     
    #10 DocTrinsoGrace, Dec 10, 2013
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