Consider the apostle Paul’s words of transparency in 2 Corinthians 7:5-7 concerning Gospel ministry, and his servant’s need for comfort and encouragement:
“For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we
were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming
of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which
he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your
mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.”
Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming
of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which
he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your
mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.”
The reality is that serving as a pastor of a local church can be a dangerous calling. In his new bestselling book, entitled Dangerous Calling, Biblical counselor and pastor Dr. Paul David Tripp identifies the challenges that pastors face. According to a survey conducted in 2011 by LifeWay Research of 1,000 American Protestant pastors:
- A full 98 percent agree with the statement, “I feel privileged to be a pastor.”
- More than half (55 percent) also agree with the statement, “I find it is easy to get discouraged.”
- 55 percent say being in pastoral ministry makes them feel lonely at times.
A new movement today to address this Downstream Problem of pastoral loneliness, discouragement, and challenges is the Upstream Strategy of joining God in His love and affirmation of pastors. How did God comfort the downcast? The God of the universe, full of power and strength, chose to use another available vessel to extend His comfort to a weary spiritual leader, Paul!
—Contributed by David Ferguson, Co-Chair, Awakening America Alliance
Awakening Indicator in the Church #8
Access these great free resources to encourage your pastor and engage your church, small group, and family in pursuing a PRAYER-CARE-SHARE Lifestyle! Or order your copy of the book, “Praying for a Christ Awakening”