All Things To All People?

I trust you all had a wonderful Father's Day.It can be a difficult day for many, as life turns unexpectedly. My heart breaks for those whose fathers are no longer with us; I can't imagine losing mine, nor my kids losing me. And there's many other circumstances and events that unfold in peoples lives that forever change the nature things. It happens for Mother's day just as much. For single parents who fill both roles (and thereby celebrate both holidays), you are super-heroes.

Say all that to say, Fathers day didn't quite go as we had planned at our place... largely in part because of how the events of Saturday night played out. Literally. Affected, in part, because of changes in the schedule for those in ministry. It got me thinking once again, just how much of a demand gets placed on pastors and their families.

Of course, the more I thought it about, the more I heard the words of the Apostle Paul, replaying in my mind. "I became all things to all people" in order that I might win some with the Gospel. I don't read that as he compromised to fill a need, so much as there was an awareness about his life and he found ways to fill roles and meet the needs of those he came in contact with in order to impact them with the love of Christ and change eternity for the glory of God.

With each passing day, this gets increasingly difficult... as if, being quick on your feet with the ability to change gears, roles and schedules instantaneously without losing anything or missing a bit wasn't an incredible talent already. Much like, I can't fathom how single parents pull of their duties; neither for pastors, the demands of their schedules and finding balance in their lives between ministry, family, friends and personal interests.

Sadly, as we all know and thus, pray according, many of them don't. The struggle is real. The challenge is difficult. The failure rate is significant; the burnout rate continues to trend upward. While they may seem to be super-heroes, they are not super-human. For as much as we need prayer and support to get through this life; preferably one day at a time, so do they.

Thus, pray this #seniorPastorMonday, for those struggling to successful fill their pastoral roles and duties. Pray for a grace over circumstances and situations where expectations are unrealistically high. Pray for wisdom and discernment where leaders and pastors may be over-committed and over-scheduled. Pray for balance to be restore in their lives, whether with new strategies, additional help and support or simply being able to take a step back and reevaluate their portfolio of responsibilities. Pray for a strength and a stamina as they approach ministry each day; may their not be a spirit of compromise, but indeed, a compassionate willingness to meet people at their point of need as Christ showed. May God accomplish the miraculous for His glory and pastors look to Him anew and place their trust and reliance in Him alone.

To the glory of God
For the advancement of the Gospel
And the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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