The focus for this quarter is the impact of ministry on the pastor’s family. At this presbytery meeting, you are going to provide an experience that can illumine those pressures. Choose a woman who can read the following prayer/letter into a microphone away from the view of those who are gathered.
Dear God,
My husband, Joshua, is in a bad place in his life right now, a hard place. He’s a 48 years old pastor of a 250 member church. We’ve got one child in college, and another about to enter college next year.I took a three-fourth time education position at another church four years ago because we needed the money to pay college tuition. Some of the folks at my husband’s church weren’t very happy about it. I was a very active church volunteer and always directed the Vacation Bible School program. Now, I’m not even there on Sunday mornings.
But this prayer isn’t about me; it’s about Joshua, my husband. He’s depressed, he’s exhausted, and he’s discouraged. He works 6 – 61/2 days a week, never less than 10 hours per day. He works at least 3 nights a week, either in meetings or visiting members or potential members. He’s not getting any exercise. His blood pressure is up. And, Sunday night the Session dealt him a heavy blow. Two of the current Session members proposed to honor Joshua’s 10th anniversary at the church with a 3-month sabbatical. Joshua was all excited at the prospect. But the Session voted “No”. They said they couldn’t afford for him “to do nothing” for 3 months. He already had more vacation time than most people get. Then, several members pointed out areas where they felt Joshua was lacking:Not enough visiting,Too many inter-church and community activities, and not enough wit and humor in his sermons to attract younger members.
They don’t understand how hard he works. They don’t know how many of our nights and family dinners are interrupted by church member’s phone calls. They don’t know that on our last three vacations, Joshua was called back due to a death or crisis with a church member. They don’t know how idealistic, how enthusiastic, how in love with you and the Church he was when he first graduated from seminary and how emotionally drained he is now.
I’m worried about him Lord. He’s always the giver. He deeply loves the people in this church, but sometimes he needs a word of thanks. Joshua is a faithful, dedicated servant of you, Lord, but he needs to know that what he’s doing matters. He needs to feel that people in the church value him and his gifts. He needs your inspiration. Help us, O God. In the name of your Son and your Spirit, I pray to you. Help my husband Joshua. Amen.
Following the reading of the prayer/letter, another speaker could say, “We know Joshua’s situation doesn’t fit all pastors but we also know that all pastors’ families feel the pressure of ministry and that will be our focus for the next quarter.
