If you are looking for reasons that people drop out of the ministry, high on your list should be feeling under-appreciated for the work and sacrifice that a pastor offers. Recently I experienced two situations which raised the issue of under-appreciation in the ministry. One of them not only involved me but also my family.
In the first case, I had an inspiration for a new venture that would benefit a group of which I am a part, organized the event, secured the leadership, and provided the behind the scenes work to make it a success. Because I care about the issue of appreciation, I even made sure that each of the leadership received an expression of appreciation for their part in the event. Because I have spent my whole life in the ministry, I am prepared for the fact that there probably will not be any significant expression of appreciation expressed to me. Yet my ego feels that lack of appreciation. What do I do about it?
In the second case, I had spent many hours helping a church through their transition between pastors. Because I knew that they had financial difficulties, I did it without any form of compensation. They finally called a new pastor and recently my wife and I attended his installation service. Though there were many people invited to be part of his installation service, I was not one of them. This time, my wife expressed to me her irritation that I had not been invited to participate, because she knew the hours that I had put in. I didn’t do it for the thanks but I feel the lack of it. What should I do about it?
Those are just two examples of what many pastors experience in multiple ways. It doesn’t do any good to ask for the thanks because then it doesn’t feel authentic. Besides, you feel like you are just whining. Yet over time, you begin to feel the deficit weighing on your soul. Sometimes that can lead to bitterness and even anger. Some clergy lose their heart for the ministry because they begin to wonder if anyone is aware of what is asked of them.
(continued tomorrow)
