Finally, as you have seen in my confessions above, financially tough times impacted more than just the church I served. God used them to impact me, to form and reform me as a pastor and a person. Economic limitations forced me to confront my self-reliance and pride. They revealed just how much I was depending on myself and how much more I needed to trust the Lord. They stripped away my pretense, the part of me that believed I could run the church with my own cleverness and hard work. Thus, economic hard times became a crucible God used to shape me to be more of what he envisioned me to be.
Knowing this, you might think I'd be grateful for the tough financial times I experienced as a pastor. In part, I am. But I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit that there is also a part of me that is relieved not to bear personally the burdens weighing down so many of my pastor and church leader friends. I want to grow in Christ, but I am not especially fond of the painful challenges that readily foster such growth.
Today, since I no longer serve as a parish pastor, my calling is to encourage them and pray for those who are in church leadership at this time. So I close with this prayer:
Gracious God, today I pray for pastors and other church leaders who are facing difficult financial choices. You know how painful this can be. You know how frustrating and disappointing it can be to cut programs and people. And you know, Lord, how hard it is to understand why you aren't providing the resources that our churches seem to need.
Lord, please draw near to those who are discouraged and frightened. Let them sense the comfort of your presence. Be to them a rock, a fortress. Protect them from criticism, both that which comes from without and that which arises from within their own hearts. Assure them that their church is really your church, and that you have your hand upon it.
Guide the leaders of your church, Lord, so that they might make wise financial decisions. Where it's appropriate to cut the budget, show them. If they need rather to trust you more and step out in faith, show them. Help them to clarify the purpose of their existence as a church and to focus their energy and financial resources in what matters most.
Bless your church, Lord. You can use all things for your purposes. So use this time of financial belt-tightening to help individual churches become more of what you envision them to be. Teach them about lay ministry, sacrifice, generosity, faith, and gratitude. Teach their leaders to rely on you more fully and trust you more completely. In all of this, may your will be done on earth as in heaven, and may you receive all the glory. Amen.
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