Last night (7/18) I posted an article/podcast from The Christian Post that talked about why pastors want to quit. You can view it here:
https://www.christianpost.com/news/why-more-pastors-suddenly-want-to-quit.html
It goes into various reasons why with the most important being “self-care”. There are many reasons why pastors quit and I do believe that there is no real “#1” answer. I think it will be subjective to each pastor. I have several reasons for wanting to quit. They are like your friends small dog that constantly nips at your heels when you come over for a visit. I never had “self care” on that list until now. I neglected my health issues for the sake of the ministry because “I had to be a good pastor” and “This is what you’re supposed to do.” I neglected my own physical health, mental health, and spiritual health all for a church where the majority doesn’t care. Their actions prove it, here is an example: I had a nerve induction study done back in May that confirmed nerve damage in my left arm but also showed a pinched nerve in my neck which has really flared up. I have minimal movement in my neck. It’s hard to turn my head now which in turn makes it hard to drive. I am uncomfortable driving and when I tell church members this some of them don’t like it. They do not like it not for my sake but because it means that I will not be visiting them and that is what they do not like. Their needs are not being met, never mind my suffering.
Mind you - they can come see me but that is not how the Southern Baptist theological mind works. {Side note: if you don’t want to come see me or check on me then why is it vitally important that I come see you?} No, the pastor must be the “be all end all” in everything Southern Baptist. Equip the saints to do the work of the church so that the body of Christ may be built up?1 Ha! The saints do more than just come to Sunday service? Hogwash… There is a word in verse 13 of the Scriptural footnote - “mature”. I believe there is a strong connection to spiritual maturity and church growth, unity, obedience, etc. That is why you must examine your own heart to whether or not your in the faith2 I cannot do it for you even though some of you would gladly throw me under the bus before man and God for not being a “good pastor”. Beep Beep! This is hard truth for the average church goer to grasp but you grasp it you must.
You get the idea, there are plenty more reasons why I want to quit. In the next article I’ll tell you why I don’t. I will leave you with a private message I received last night after the Facebook post and yes I have their permission to share it:
Why do church members, “Christians” treat their pastors like garbage? Sad ain’t it?
Ephesians 4:11-13
2nd Corinthians 13:5