I have been a pastor for almost 20 years. Many times I would have people throw me the question - how do you keep going? I can give a variety of answers - I learn to enjoy what I do; I don't take myself too seriously; I hold things loosely and on and on and on. But all those answers will not make sense without this one undergirding truth: I am committed to the calling that God has given to me.
If you are never certain of God's calling on your life, you cannot survive as a pastor because the people you serve will have all kinds of expectations of you.
• Some believe you are holier than you could humanly achieve. Others are skeptical, secretly hoping you’ll fail.
• Some sincerely hope your family is materially blessed. Others think your family should barely be above the poverty line.
• Many will have very high expectations of your kids. Some will privately (or publicly) gloat when your kids fail.
• Some people will want to be close to you simply because you’re a pastor. Others will be too nervous to be themselves around you.
• Some will extend irrational love toward you and your family. Others will be easily offended (and dislike you) over something you would consider a minor misunderstanding.
• Some will almost worship you (even though you don’t want it). Many of those same people will leave your church in due time because you fail to meet their expectations.
While the joy of intimate relationships for pastors couldn’t be greater, the pain and loss of broken relationships will haunt you throughout your ministry.
The life of a pastor isn’t better or worse than others. But it is different. Above everything else, it is simply answering a call from God. It is the call that keep pastors faithful to the end.
And what is that call? Paul in addressing the Ephesian elders, articulated the call in Acts 20:28:
"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseer. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bougfht with His own blood."
Richard Baxter's great book The Reformed Pastor (1656), which every good pastor should read, is an exposition of Acts 20:28. Here is a thought-provoking quote from the book:
"Oh then, let us hear these arguments of Christ, whenever we feel ourselves grow dull and careless in our calling: Did I die for them I will you not look after them? Were they worth my blood and are they not worth your labour? Did I come down from heaven to earth, to seek and save that which was lost, and will you not go to the next door, street or village to seek them? How small is your labour as to mine! I debased myself to this, but is is your honour to be so employed. Have I done and suffered so much for their salvation: and was I willing to make you a co-worker with me, and will you refuse what little lies on your hands?"
That's the calling and that is what keeps pastors going!
