Pastors in Community

PETER WOOD, DIRECTOR OF CONFERENCE CARE

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

In these first few months as Director of Conference Care I’ve been involved in teaching two Community Pastor training sessions: one for pastors in western New York, northwestern Pennsylvania, and northeast Ohio; the other in southern California for pastors in southern California and a pastor from Colorado and eastern Washington. This means that as of now 52 CCCC pastors have been trained as Community Pastors. Why is this important?

It’s important because too many pastors are in danger emotionally and spiritually. Some recent statistics point to a sad truth:

• 90% stated they are frequently fatigued, and worn out on a weekly and even a daily basis.
• 77% felt they did not have a good marriage.
• 72% stated they studied the Bible only when they were preparing for sermons or lessons.
• 26% said they regularly had personal devotions and felt they were adequately fed.

When I first read these statistics I was shocked. Then I was saddened as I began to realize from my own experience and that of other pastors I have known in forty years of ministry, these “stats” rang true. Too many of us are hurting, and because of this, we are hurting our witness.

Why? The answer in most cases is isolation. We can be, and should be, honest to the people we pastor. There is a balance of course, but sometimes we don’t want to burden others or cause discouragement if they realize we don’t have it all together. It might also be pride, so we play Super-Christian. It might be fear because if others knew of our failures they might reject us. I’ve seen too many pastors fall by the wayside because of these excuses.
The answer is to hear what the Bible tells us. Jesus sent out the disciples two by two. Paul traveled in a band of brothers. (You can hear his pain in II Timothy when he is left alone.) Elijah in despair was reminded that he was not alone; there were other who did not bend the knee to Baal. Part of the pain of Gethsemane was that the disciples could not stay awake one hour. The Christian life was never meant for Lone Rangers. (Come to think of it, even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.)

So here’s my question: do you have a few Christians in your life with whom you can be honest and they with you? If so, meet with them regularly. If not, pray that God will show some to you so you can soon be part of a Community Care Group. It’s that important.