Pessimistic pastors?

This is a good one as well. I have met so many pastors who seem to be anything but optimistic....it is down right scary at times. We have no reason to be pessimistic

 

Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

Sounds like reason for optimism to me!

 

Jesus was an optimist. He was probably the greatest optimist that ever lived.

But Jesus was also a realist, and his optimism was never unrealistic.

 

Good leaders are realistic in their strength and optimistic in their God.

Selfishness and stupidy accompany being optimistic in themselves.

 

On another note, selfishness and stupidy typicaly accompany unrealistic optimistm. Unbridled optimism can still fall within the scope of realism.

Also, let us not confuse realism with pragmatism. Optimism, even appropriately realistic optimism, is often not pragmatic.

 

Optimism is great, but reality needs to weigh in too.

 

The problem here, as I see it, is that we have our eyes on the wrong goal. Pastors get pessimistic when they are striving for the wrong spiritual and ecclesiastical goals. If big numbers, uplifting "worship" services, and complete harmony and unity in the church is our goal, we will of all mken be most miserable, because that will never be achieved until that Kingdom that Dr Bob alluded above.

Our goal, gentlemen, is faithfulness, not accomplishments. If you are not faithful, you have reason to be pessimistic I suppose. If you are faithful, you can be optimistic of a full reward. Besides, the battle is already won for us. Don't let the skirmishes we face daily defeat you.