{"id":14530,"date":"2011-05-25T21:13:07","date_gmt":"2011-05-25T20:13:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adrianwarnock.com\/?p=14530"},"modified":"2020-06-13T06:54:33","modified_gmt":"2020-06-13T05:54:33","slug":"dont-make-your-pastor-a-statistic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/adrianwarnock\/2011\/05\/dont-make-your-pastor-a-statistic\/","title":{"rendered":"Don't Make Your Pastor a Statistic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Today, Thabiti Anyabwile shares some alarming statistics<\/a> and urges us to make our pastors\u2019 lives bearable. I encourage you to write a nice email to your pastors today. As I have a blog, I want to go a step beyond that and publicly honor the four elders I have the joy to serve under<\/strong> as part of the leadership team of Jubilee Church London<\/a>: Tope Koleoso, David Pask, Stuart Emsley and Chris Ebechidi.<\/p>\n

I am confident that these men will not \u00a0form part of these statistics because of the love Jubilee Church shows our leaders<\/strong>, but also because I know they are the right side of one critical statistic that Thabiti ends with but I will begin with.\u00a0According to one survey, only 23% of pastors report being happy and content in their identity in Christ, in their church, and in their home<\/strong>. \u00a0I know that these four men, who are all my pastors and my friends, are in fact secure in their identity because of their relationship with Christ. \u00a0That very security oozes out of them<\/strong>. \u00a0Love for Christ and his church consumes them. \u00a0Their wives are genuinely happy to be part of Jubilee<\/strong> and don\u2019t resent their work for us. \u00a0Their self-sacrifice is evident to all. \u00a0Their joy in their work<\/strong> is inspiring. \u00a0Their wisdom and grace<\/strong> is evident to all. \u00a0Most of all, the good hand of our God upon them<\/strong> is clearly seen. \u00a0That anointing is the thing that makes this most challenging of jobs successful. \u00a0I praise God for the oil of his blessing that lubricates the wheels of our church life.<\/p>\n

To the pastors<\/strong> reading these following statistics, I urge you to get deeper into Christ<\/strong>, and feel<\/em> his love for you and acceptance of you. \u00a0Seeking acceptance from others is guaranteed to leave you on the pile of statistics I am about to list (which are not even all of the ones Thabiti shares!) \u00a0Try not to focus on what your church is not providing you with<\/strong>, even if there are real grievances. \u00a0Take your needs to the God who loves you and will provide for you<\/strong>. \u00a0But when you have genuinely gone to God in prayer, do find a trusted friend at your church or outside your church<\/strong> that you can share honestly with. \u00a0If, for example, your family are impoverished and hate your church, because it consumes all your time, something has to change! There is no shame in laying down the ministry if that is all that will save your family.<\/strong><\/p>\n

To the church member<\/strong>s reading this, especially trustees and other officials, ask yourself honestly, do you know how your pastor is doing? <\/strong>Are you looking after them financially? \u00a0Are you ensuring they are free to lead<\/strong>? Do they get enough time off<\/strong>? \u00a0Do they have friends outside the church they can turn to for help, support and oversight<\/strong>? \u00a0Are they stuck at the top of a pyramid<\/strong> with a church too mean to even pay for them to go to an external conference per year? If so, don\u2019t be surprised if you are without a pastor soon<\/strong>. \u00a0When was the last time you thanked your pastor for his self-sacrifice?<\/p>\n

Some concerning stats about pastors:<\/strong><\/p>\n