Preachers Quitting

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I agree about the frequency and power of the attacks. Sometimes good men do quit. Some quit forever but some get away for a while. And return back with new vigor.

I know this has always been a problem. There were some who left Paul because they loved this present world. And others went to different fields.

I have known some and they were really called. They just got worn down. But more often they watched what price the ministry had on their wife and children.

Disobedient? Maybe, but I have my Monday morngins just like any preacher. Spurgeon called them "The Minister's Fainting Fits". According to legend or maybe it was true, Luther got them so bad, his wife dressed in mourning clothes. When he asked why, she said that God was dead or at least he was acting like that.

I am not the Acme Judgement Company, so I can't say what will happen to a preacher who stops preaching. But neither can I judge that it wasn't in the plan of God for him to only preach for a period of time.

Excellent, balanced, and well thought out response. I can't tell you how often quitting has entered my mind.

 

[USN2Pulpit]

I have known some and they were really called. They just got worn down. But more often they watched what price the ministry had on their wife and children.

This is by far the position I find myself in the most. The way my family has been treated by certain individuals over the years - most of whom have long since left the church - and the hurt they have gone through - it makes me feel "guilty" that I couldn't prevent it, even though I am convinced that I'm doing what God would have me do.

All kids make their own decisions, but like I said, certain people made my daughter feel so unwelcome that she left the church for several months, promising never to come back among these "so-called" Christians.

Did it make me want to quit? If you want to hear pleasantries and polished speech, I will say that I never, repeat, never stopped trusting in the Lord. If you want to hear me in my weakness and humanity, I will say I felt useless to my family, useless to the church, useless to effect change even as God's vessel.

I didn't quit. Things aren't necessarily always easy, but God has provided me an ability to cope. I think in a way that the experience of hurt somehow makes the pastor more suited to ministry, not less.

But it sure doesn't make it fun.

 

[Zaac]

I always thought that the callings of God was without repentance, meaning it was for life.

It is.:thumbsup:

 

[Zaac]

Let me re-phrase the question. If a preacher of the gospel or a servant or whatever you want to call him is active in his service, is there any good reason from a biblical point of view he should quit this position ?

Seems to be a worldy thing to quit . People think because you get to be a certain age, it's time to retire. A person may retire from a particular position, but the calling remains and he better keep on trucking till God calls him home.

The preacher will always be a preacher. He may not be able to get around as well, but he is still a preacher as called by God.

 

[Zaac]

This is by far the position I find myself in the most. The way my family has been treated by certain individuals over the years - most of whom have long since left the church - and the hurt they have gone through - it makes me feel "guilty" that I couldn't prevent it, even though I am convinced that I'm doing what God would have me do.

All kids make their own decisions, but like I said, certain people made my daughter feel so unwelcome that she left the church for several months, promising never to come back among these "so-called" Christians.

Did it make me want to quit? If you want to hear pleasantries and polished speech, I will say that I never, repeat, never stopped trusting in the Lord. If you want to hear me in my weakness and humanity, I will say I felt useless to my family, useless to the church, useless to effect change even as God's vessel.

I didn't quit. Things aren't necessarily always easy, but God has provided me an ability to cope. I think in a way that the experience of hurt somehow makes the pastor more suited to ministry, not less.

But it sure doesn't make it fun.

It' does indeed get tough sometimes. It's kinda like this board where you wonder what brought that on, but you just, as you said have to keep trusting in God even when people act funky.

 

[salzer mtn]

Seems to be a worldy thing to quit . People think because you get to be a certain age, it's time to retire. A person may retire from a particular position, but the calling remains and he better keep on trucking till God calls him home.

The preacher will always be a preacher. He may not be able to get around as well, but he is still a preacher as called by God.

A certain age meaning old age carries more baggage with it other than the word "old age" I have a preacher friend older than I am that was a active pastor until his mind by reason of age began to faultier to the point that in his messages he would forget what he had already said, so he stepped down. Does the calling remain, I don't think so.

 

[salzer mtn]

Another scenario. Let's say you preached and pastored a number of years believing a certain belief but as you advanced in your studies of the word of God your mind totally changed from your former convictions. You tell the church and they can't except it so you leave. Both beliefs are Baptist but different Baptist. The churches that preach the doctrine you now believe are few and far in between, the pulpits are already filled. You are like a plow horse, you miss wearing the bridle and the harness of continual preaching, you could go back and they would welcome you with open arms but you want to be true to your convictions. The preacher in this scenario, was he ever called to preach? would God call a preacher to preach one message and then lead him to believe another message? Would you go back just in order to occupy a pulpit?

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

This is by far the position I find myself in the most. The way my family has been treated by certain individuals over the years - most of whom have long since left the church - and the hurt they have gone through - it makes me feel "guilty" that I couldn't prevent it, even though I am convinced that I'm doing what God would have me do.

All kids make their own decisions, but like I said, certain people made my daughter feel so unwelcome that she left the church for several months, promising never to come back among these "so-called" Christians.

Did it make me want to quit? If you want to hear pleasantries and polished speech, I will say that I never, repeat, never stopped trusting in the Lord. If you want to hear me in my weakness and humanity, I will say I felt useless to my family, useless to the church, useless to effect change even as God's vessel.

I didn't quit. Things aren't necessarily always easy, but God has provided me an ability to cope. I think in a way that the experience of hurt somehow makes the pastor more suited to ministry, not less.

But it sure doesn't make it fun.

Thanks. Yet another post by someone who 'gets it.' I haven't quit. And by the grace of God I won't. But I have a hard time attacking and condemning my dear brethren who have finally given up after years and years of pain and hurt and opposition and people turning their backs.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Another scenario. Let's say you preached and pastored a number of years believing a certain belief but as you advanced in your studies of the word of God your mind totally changed from your former convictions. You tell the church and they can't except it so you leave. Both beliefs are Baptist but different Baptist. The churches that preach the doctrine you now believe are few and far in between, the pulpits are already filled. You are like a plow horse, you miss wearing the bridle and the harness of continual preaching, you could go back and they would welcome you with open arms but you want to be true to your convictions. The preacher in this scenario, was he ever called to preach? would God call a preacher to preach one message and then lead him to believe another message? Would you go back just in order to occupy a pulpit?

For me, my conscience is not for sale. I would have to go with my new beliefs. I think the person in your scenarios was called to preach, but the call to discipleship and spiritual growth come before both in time and in precedence. But being called to be a preacher and having a place to preach are 2 different things. :laugh:

I am now 62 and sometime in the next 10 years or so i will think about retirement from pastoring this church. But I will still be called to preach, just not in the same location or with the same frequency.

 

[salzer mtn]

Thanks. Yet another post by someone who 'gets it.' I haven't quit. And by the grace of God I won't. But I have a hard time attacking and condemning my dear brethren who have finally given up after years and years of pain and hurt and opposition and people turning their backs.

C4K, when you use the words, "and by the grace of God" this is a sticking point. Wouldn't God give all preachers the same grace not to quit ? The scripture say's, 1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common with man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

[saturneptune]

I don't read anywhere that one is "called to preach." We are all called to serve, and if one "desires" to serve as a bishop, then he desires a good work, but the idea that one fills an office for life or he is somehow derelict in his duties is one of which I'm not convinced.

If one desires to serve as a bishop, he should join the Catholic Church.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

C4K, when you use the words, "and by the grace of God" this is a sticking point. Would not God give other preachers the same grace not to quit as he does others ? The scripture say's, 1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common with man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Of course, but I can certainly understand what happens when a guy has just 'had enough.' I am not going to sit in judgement over them because I know how close I have come more than once.

 

[Judith]

Are there any biblical or other wise reasonable reasons that a preacher could quit preaching ? As a example, old age or very bad health but are there other reasons ?

Sin is a big one. Also just because God calls a man to preach does not mean it is for life. He may want it for a season and than want something else.

 

[preacher4truth]

Are there any biblical or other wise reasonable reasons that a preacher could quit preaching ? As a example, old age or very bad health but are there other reasons ?

Nice OP.

What Biblical evidence can you give for your thread? Is there any Biblical support? And, why do you ask?

 

[Aaron]

1 Cor 1-17 For Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel. 1 Cor 9-16 Woe unto me if I preach not the gospel. Now that we have that cleared up back to the OP and the question I ask.

Let me rephrase. I meant called to pastor, which is obvious by the rest of my post.

 

[Aaron]

If one desires to serve as a bishop, he should join the Catholic Church.

I think if you knew the Scriptures better you wouldn't have said this.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I think if you knew the Scriptures better you wouldn't have said this.

Sure he does... he's Southern boarn & bred. :smilewinkgrin:

1 Timothy 3:1-2

King James Version (KJV)

3 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

 

[Tom Bryant]

Of course, but I can certainly understand what happens when a guy has just 'had enough.' I am not going to sit in judgement over them because I know how close I have come more than once.

Absolutely right.

And it's not just pastors who feel this. I don't know of anyone who has stayed in the same kind of job for years and years without wanting to quit or even taking a leave of absence. They are just as called to their "secular" jobs as we have been to the ministry.

 

[salzer mtn]

Nice OP.

What Biblical evidence can you give for your thread? Is there any Biblical support? And, why do you ask?

Biblical evidences and support is what I ask for. The reason I ask is because there are many who at one time preached the gospel but have quit for various reasons. I might as others who have answered feel sorry for a person who quit because I have felt like doing the same thing myself but can a person go by personal feelings and lay aside what the bible say's about the matter ? Where does the excuses stop? If we accept one excuse would we not have to except every excuse? When accepting excuses from others we have to be careful that sub consciously we are not paving a future road for ourselves that is gravely at the moment.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Biblical evidences and support is what I ask for. The reason I ask is because there are many who at one time preached the gospel but have quit for various reasons. I might as others who have answered feel sorry for a person who quit because I have felt like doing the same thing myself but can a person go by personal feelings and lay aside what the bible say's about the matter ? Where does the excuses stop? If we accept one excuse would we not have to except every excuse? When accepting excuses from others we have to be careful that sub consciously we are not paving a future road for ourselves that is gravely at the moment.

You are mis-interpreting understanding why with excusing. I understand why men quit or take a hiatus from ministry. I don't say they are excused from obedience. I just understand why they do.

I see that you are retired. How many years did you work before you retired? Were you working where God wanted you to work?