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I need prayer

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by bobbyd, May 3, 2011.

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  1. bobbyd

    bobbyd New Member

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    I'm about ready to break out of the fishbowl. I've been in a ministry position since 2000, 1 year as an associate/interim pastor, and senior pastor since then, and I really cannot imagine doing anything else with my life...but right now I'm really needing to regain my life again.
    I'm burnt out, I'm tired of people, I'm tired of the back stabbing...I'm tired. I fear for my kids and their future in, or at this juncture, possibly out of the church if this keeps up. They have such strong faith for kids, but I'm worried about them none the less.
    I need prayer. I may just need a break, I'm not sure. I've only been at this pastorate for 18 months, but this has been one of the hardest I've been in at this point.
    I really do understand why people leave the church...I really do get it.
     
    #1 bobbyd, May 3, 2011
  2. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Will be praying. Don't mind my comments, just some thoughts.

    In 18 months you really know what you don't like, list what you do like :) Not that that will help in particular, but it will take your mind off the former for awhile.

    Take a couple weeks and get lost and see how it goes.

    Do know there are many that have walked in your situations and have come out the other end just fine, it is a matter of seeking the Lord and His answers, not being in a hurry - unless the family situation needs a hurry!

    My wife and I had many hard years and one year I found a card that fit our lives quite well. It was a tiny haggard couple with the world on their back. The caption was, "It's you and me against the world!" We had it on our bedroom wall where I could see it nightly before going to bed. It didn't change the situation, for there were many more hard years, but it made the situation easier on a nightly basis.
     
    #2 exscentric, May 3, 2011
  3. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    I pray that God gives you and your family strength and clarity.
     
    #3 StefanM, May 3, 2011
  4. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I'm so sorry you're struggling. Pastoring can be such a tremendous blessing and such a struggle as well. I'll be praying for you brother.
     
    #4 annsni, May 4, 2011
  5. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    You got it!
     
    #5 Earth Wind and Fire, May 4, 2011
  6. SBCPreacher

    SBCPreacher Active Member
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    You've got my prayers. I've been there myself. I imagine every pastor has.

    Take a vacation! And leave your cell phone at home!

    exscentric's stuff is good advice.
     
    #6 SBCPreacher, May 4, 2011
  7. chuck2336

    chuck2336 Member

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    You got it brother!
     
    #7 chuck2336, May 4, 2011
  8. Siberian

    Siberian New Member

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    Praying for you today.
     
    #8 Siberian, May 4, 2011
  9. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    I'm lifting you up, brother. And your family.

    Some things to consider:

    -are you tired of being a Pastor or Pastoring this particular church?

    -are your goals for the church different than the REAL goals of the church...just because they SAY they wanna' grow God's kingdom really doesn't mean they really want to. when a pastor's goals are not the same as a church's real goals, there will be QUICK burn out.

    -make sure that you and your wife are well connected....success at work and success at home are tied together.

    -vacation, vacation, vacation!

    I feel for you, brother. I'll be praying for you and the family.

    EDIT: I was really good friends with 3 preachers who all got burned out: 2 became truck drivers and the other went into sales and worked with me. One of the two truck drivers went back into the ministry on a bi-vocational basis and the sales guy left sales after a year or so and returned to the ministry. The other truck driver is still driving trucks. The point: if God's call is really and truly on your life to preach and pastor, you will not be able to get away from it. I wish you the best.
     
    #9 Jkdbuck76, May 4, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2011
  10. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    You are in my prayers.
     
    #10 SaggyWoman, May 4, 2011
  11. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    YOu got it.. and message me on FB if you need to talk.. I was that way a few months ago.. message me, and I'll tell you all about it.. in the mean time, my prayers are with you.
     
    #11 tinytim, May 4, 2011
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