Tag: pastoring of pastors

Where did you last have it? by Rev. Jim Hobby, House of Gladness, Thomastown, Georgia

But God restores joy

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Note from Debbie: If you are a pastor or perceive that your pastor has lost his or her joy, contact the House of Gladness to schedule a retreat, a time to be heard and supported in one of the most difficult jobs on earth. Here’s an idea: Make it a gift from your congregation for Father’s Day. Write to Jim for availability: jim@houseofgladness.com.

As we talk with pastors, we continue to hear a deep weariness in their voices. The partisan ethos of our culture has so thoroughly marinated their congregations that every slight difference of opinion in the congregation often becomes a major point of disagreement that requires stances to be taken by the leadership of the congregation. Who knew that green carpets were signs of complete capitulation to the works of Satan? (Only a slight exaggeration!) As you pray for the ministry of House of Gladness, pray for weary and discouraged pastors who are berated by all sides. Research continues to show that a large percentage of pastors (just over 1/3) are giving serious thought to finding a less stressful occupation (like used car salesman, middle school social studies teacher, or alligator farmer).

When raising children, it can seem like 20-80% of one’s day is spent finding lost items: shoes, cups, coats, socks, books, papers, tablets…anything and everything. After the tragedy of the lost treasure is announced (because every lost item is always, by definition, “my favorite!”) the parental mantra is, “Where did you last have it?”

That question is a great starting point for pastors and lay leaders who have lost their joy in ministry. “Where did you last have it?” To remember a time of joy, many of us would need to go back before COVID-19 threw our worlds into turmoil.

When you do remember a time when you were serving the Lord with gladness, where did the joy come from? Quite likely, your joy bubbled up from some blend of satisfying accomplishments, supportive relationships, a clear purpose, and consistent prayer times. If you are looking for lost joy, starting with those four sources is wise. The most critical one is time with the Lord because, when the other three wells of joy dry up, there is fullness of joy in the Lord’s presence.

Before you toss this aside as an admonition from a person standing on the beach to someone caught in a rip current to “swim harder,” let me assure you that praying harder (at least in my experience) rarely increases joy. Guilt, shame, frustration, yes; rarely joy. Instead, I’m inviting you to rediscover the presence of the Lord. You may encounter the Lord on your knees at set times of formal prayer (which the Church from the beginning has declared important). But you might also experience His presence while walking, or conversing with a friend, or reading, or painting, or bird watching, or lying in a hammock.

Added by Debbie: Or at a personal retreat at the House of Gladness. I have myself found rest and renewal in the Hobbys’ home several times—before this tender ministry was formalized as the House of Gladness. God has gifted Jim and his wife Shari for this work and equipped them through deep suffering of their own. They offer their love with empathy, grace, and prayer.

Alone, no!

But God is a gardener

Isaiah 27:2-3 In that day, sing about the fruitful vineyard. I, the Lord, will watch over it, watering it carefully. Day and night I will watch so no one can harm it.

John 15:1-5 [Jesus said] “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. … Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.

“Watering it carefully” Shutterstock: Max Lindenthaler

“Sozinho, não!”

“Solito, no!”

This is the rallying cry or slogan of my husband Dave’s ministry, Discipling and Pastoring of Pastors in Brazil and Latin America (see dppastores.com). It means “Alone, no!”

A Pastoring of Pastors retreat in Brazil

Many pastors in Latin America do feel alone. They’ve been taught that the success of their church is on their shoulders. Denominational leaders tend to communicate demands more than support. They don’t have anyone with whom to share their burdens and receive encouragement, either personally or ministerially. Often, they are afraid of potential consequences if they tell anyone they are vulnerable or needy in any way. Sometimes they are afraid to admit this even to their spouses. They don’t have help in “watching over themselves.”

And sometimes all that explodes into a scandal of one kind or another. Sometimes that’s because the pressure the pastor feels becomes overwhelming. Especially the pressure of loneliness.

Other times, the pastor simply quits. The stats on this are not pretty. The loss of pastors is part of what has been called “the great dechurching”**—in the US as well as Central and South America.

Over the years, Dave has had the privilege of participating in the restoration of pastors. The process is different, of course, in each case. But it always involves this basic concept: You can’t do ministry alone. It must be a team effort, with encouragement, support, and accountability. You must be connected to the vine AND to the other branches.

Sozinho, não!

I encourage you—and myself—to pray for your pastors, support them however you can, and be very careful about gossip and a critical attitude. Resolve conflicts directly and with love. Don’t “church hop” because of disagreements over nonessentials. Don’t turn your worshiping community into a political battlefield. And maybe most important: God didn’t ever intend us to be loner Christians. We need each other. Each of us needs to be a part of a body of believers submitted to Christ as Lord, growing in grace, and caring for each other. Alone, no!

When I started writing this post, I didn’t realize it would become so long. So I’m breaking it into two parts, with an exciting announcement next time!

**For example, in this book. You can Google other books and articles and discussions.