The Real Struggles of Small Church Pastors

Someone got me riled up today about church growth. It seems that so much of the leadership and training material available wants to show all of us pastors how to move into the arena of success and blessing.

In case you’ve never noticed (psst, I know you have!) ministry is not always about success, growth, coolness, good times, rad (is that still a thing?) music, and the latest technology for worship and church management.

Yet, every day as pastors we deal with other struggles, stresses, and challenges. Off the top of my head in about six minutes, I made the following list of topics I think most small church pastors are dealing with every week.

What do you think of this list. What topics would you add to this list?

• How to shepherd your people.
  
• How to comfort those who mourn – what to do when a person dies.
  
• How to teach your church family to care for each others’ needs.
  
• How to worship God in spirit and truth.
  
• How to personally handle people leaving your church.
  
• How to treat those who have left your church.
• How to gain perspective when you’ve been brutally criticized.
  
• How to train your youth leaders.
  
• How to lead your church board.
  
• How to manage your energy level to “get it all done.”
  
• How to prioritize rest and renewal in ministry.
• How to craft a message from your heart and God’s Word.
  
• How to plan your sermon year.
  
• How to train your church staff.
  
• How to help your church family forgive each other.
• How to handle disappointment… again.
  
• How to love your wife, as her pastor.
  
• How to raise children in the ministry.
  
• How to reduce your budget by 20% without killing your church.
  
• How to win over lust and pornography.
  
• How to plan for the future of your church’s facility upkeep.
  
• How to teach your people to love God and each other more than stuff.
  
• How to teach your men to love and honor their wives.
  
• How to prioritize your spiritual life.
  
• How to just be with God.
  

Again, what do you think of this list? What topics would you add to this list?

Do you think this should double as a future podcast episode topic list?

Have a wonderful weekend loving and serving God by loving and serving your church family – and guests!