Small Church Pastors Should Never Carry the Load Alone

Today I will drive Jonny to the airport. He has a very early morning flight out to a major Rocky Mountain destination. He’s going to visit a good friend. The other day he told me that he could not be more excited to spend just a couple days with this guy. There’s something about hanging out with a friend with whom you share a lot of history and many memorable experiences.

Used with permission. Manfred Schweda. http://www.thisfabtrek.com/

Lucky. I have a to stay home. I can’t go because… “I have homework to do!” Well, actually, I wouldn’t go anyway because I don’t even know the guy, and somebody has to stay and watch the store!

Relationships – that’s all there is to life. People who are important to us matter most.

Recently I thought about how you and I are often striving on the inside, trying to figure our ministry out. We’re trying to figure out how to lead our people, teach our people, organize our people, counsel our people, feed our people, grow them spiritually, etc. We feel the weight of leadership in the local church, and if the truth were told, on the inside – we’re just striving.

We, you and I, have a friend. His name is Jesus. Holy Spirit. Father. He is many things to us, but one of them is “Friend”. We serve him. We work for him. He owns everyone we shepherd. He owns them because he paid for them. If you pay, you own. Right? Yes. Right.

Now, why do we strive, Pastors? Why do we fuss on the inside? Why do we brood? Why do we worry? I know, “we” is you, and me. Why do I do these things?

I just wanted to take this Friday post to remind you that all of us pastors have a Friend. Our Triune God will work for us, fight for us, and one of them will fill us, while another prays to the Father on our behalf. He’s our Friend. We can hang out with him and ask him to help us stop

• Brooding
  
• Fussing
  
• Fuming
  
• Worrying
  
• Striving

I want to remind you, just before the weekend starts, that Jesus said his yoke was EASY and his burden was LIGHT. Got a big problem, struggle, or challenge? Remember that He shares it with you. Don’t work alone, let Him help you.

Jonny is hanging out with his buddy this weekend. A great friendship. Pure joy. How about we all hang out with our Friend this weekend too, and let him help us carry the load. Since, after all, it’s really his load. Let's not drive this road alone.

You’re a small church pastor – and you get to do this! Do it with love, class, and grace. Your pastoral work matters HUGE in the Kingdom of God. Your shepherding of your church family makes all the difference in their lives. To have a pastor who loves you and cares for you is a big deal ladies and gentlemen!

You know that you’re just you, and you mostly aren’t impressed – but to your people you’re the pastor. You’re a big deal. Be a big deal this weekend with your people, and may the big deal about you be that you’re marked by love and unselfishness.