Noise/Distractions take our
eyes off those things that really matter. For a pastor, the health of the
church is greatly at risk when he loses his focus because of it. LifeWay Research recently did a survey on pastors. Over 1,000 were
included in the research.
-Though pastors of all church sizes felt this way, pastors of churches with over 250 in worship attendance were more likely to struggle with the critics.
-48% of them of say conflict among staff and/or key lay leaders is a significant distraction.
-Pastors in the South are more likely to have conflict among staff and/or key lay leaders than pastors in other regions.
One of their major foci
was on the issue of distractions. They asked two questions:
-What specific things distract the
pastor more than others?
-Is their widespread agreement among pastors on these issues?
The SB pastors answered "Yes" to both questions. They told LifeWay in overwhelming numbers that dealing with critics was a huge distraction. To a lesser extent, but still significant, the pastors said conflict among staff and key leaders was a significant distraction as well.
-Is their widespread agreement among pastors on these issues?
The SB pastors answered "Yes" to both questions. They told LifeWay in overwhelming numbers that dealing with critics was a huge distraction. To a lesser extent, but still significant, the pastors said conflict among staff and key leaders was a significant distraction as well.
For every person reading this who think pastors have it made think how you would feel being on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You're enjoying your vacation only to have to cut it short because of a death in the church.
You're always having to deal with people who don't like this or don't like that. The noise can get overwhelming sometimes.
I believe that God despises noise-makers. In fact the Bible says He hates them:
Proverbs 6:16-19 "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."You're always having to deal with people who don't like this or don't like that. The noise can get overwhelming sometimes.
I believe that God despises noise-makers. In fact the Bible says He hates them:
The survey went on to some alarming results among Southern Baptist pastors:
-79% of them say critics distract them from their ministries. Nearly 40% strongly agree that they do.
-79% of them say critics distract them from their ministries. Nearly 40% strongly agree that they do.
-Though pastors of all church sizes felt this way, pastors of churches with over 250 in worship attendance were more likely to struggle with the critics.
-48% of them of say conflict among staff and/or key lay leaders is a significant distraction.
-Pastors in the South are more likely to have conflict among staff and/or key lay leaders than pastors in other regions.
Nearly eight out of ten
pastors struggle with critics to the point that they admit it's a distraction
from their ministries. In comparison, the issue
of staff and/or key lay leader conflict appears small. Still, nearly half of
the pastors pointed to that issue as a distraction in their ministries.
I'm sure that every pastor in every denomination faces noise/distraction from critics and staff members that cause division. I remember seeing a friend of mine struggling through false accusations from a staff member which cost him his position and standing in ministry. Sadly, it was that same pastor who had helped restore that staff member in a time of great noise in his own life and ministry. All it takes is one noise to distract from all the good that a man of God does.
Before you become a noisemaker or distraction walk a mile in your brother's shoes. That might help you silence the noise in the long run.
I'm sure that every pastor in every denomination faces noise/distraction from critics and staff members that cause division. I remember seeing a friend of mine struggling through false accusations from a staff member which cost him his position and standing in ministry. Sadly, it was that same pastor who had helped restore that staff member in a time of great noise in his own life and ministry. All it takes is one noise to distract from all the good that a man of God does.
Before you become a noisemaker or distraction walk a mile in your brother's shoes. That might help you silence the noise in the long run.
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