As a pastor with a God given vision I want LifePoint to hear that vision and my faith but it would be a huge lie to say that I don’t have a whole lot of worries as well. These worries span from the everyday technical worries all the way to more eternal ones. In my attempt to be vulnerable and transparent through this series let me share some of the worries that I and probably every other pastor have.
Everyday worries.
These worries are things like will we be able to pay our bills or can we get our equipment to work properly in the service. These seem like no big deal worries, and trust me there are a whole lot more of them than 2, but yet there constant presence can be distracting and detrimental to the larger issues. We can spend so much time worrying about the immediate that we lose focus on the eternal. These everyday worries can come to consume every day.
Vision worries.
If you cannot properly handle the everyday worries these worries are even more stressful. The reason is that you can work towards a vision with everyday worries in a state of chaos. Finding good leaders and responsible volunteers, launching appropriate programs and not meaningless ones, establishing systems that facilitate and not suffocate the vision are all vision worries. They are so vital and very overwhelming and no one but the pastor truly feels their weight. The church isn’t their job, club, or pet project, it is their calling.
Eternal worries.
I’ll be honest, this one keeps me up many nights. Will anything I do make a difference in your life? I know on Sunday you tell me what a good message it was but did it transform you? I know you said how much you needed to hear it but are you going to live it? I know you said that the reason you keep coming is because the messages are really good but do they really matter?
Do you talk to Jesus more? Are you any closer to Jesus having full control of your life? Are you less selfish and more concerned about those who can’t take care of themselves? Have you started to rely on God and not on your bank account for all your needs? Do you have an unquenchable need to see others find that same relationship with Christ? Am I making a difference?
My greatest fear is that in the end I will look back over time and find that I have not made one bit of difference in the lives of the people I gave myself to. Worried is an understatement.
Hi! My name, as the blog suggests, is James Laws. I'm a Web Designer, Pastor, Husband & Social Media Advocate among many other things. If you would like to learn more about me or would like to send me a message please visit
James let God do his part and you do your part the best you can. these people are old enough to make up their own minds and god works with them as they let him. that part is beyond your control. your part is to get the message across. each of us has to work out our own salvation.
Charlie, thanks for the encouragement but I don’t think any true pastor can NOT worry about these things. It is a part of the call. I am not negating the work of the Holy Spirit nor am I down playing the need for individual responsibility; I am simply aware of my role as it interacts with each.
The day I stop being concerned with the items mentioned is the day I stop being the pastor of LifePoint.
I see what Charlie is saying. You can do your part perfectly and there still may be those who make the choice to not live it, not make changes, not rely on God more. Not because of you, though. Yes, you have to do your part, and of course a pastor needs to be concerned with these things; and I KNOW I would have the same worries. I think it’s normal. I guess what I’m saying is don’t beat yourself up over the choices others make. Be concerned, do your part well– but don’t blame yourself.
“My greatest fear is that in the end I will look back over time and find that I have not made one bit of difference in the lives of the people I gave myself to.” I know I would have the same fear. In fact, I do have the same fear regarding the things I feel called to do. So when I say this, I’m reminding myself too. I think that if you are doing what you’ve been called to do, prayerfully and passionately, a difference will be made. Sometimes it will happen right away, sometimes it will be more obvious than at other times, sometimes it will be years down the road– but a difference will be made. There will be some who choose not to live it– but there will be many who do choose to live it.
james, your welcome for the encouragement and jenny was right in the sense that i should have been more articulate. her comments are right on target. in my relationship with god, i have learned that not everything is so easy to deal with. do i think about the past and think i could have done things better at certain points? yes. i also realize that the only thing to do is to try and learn from the past and make the future better. being a pastor has got to be one of the most difficult callings probably. i pray that god gives you and kevin strength in every area to accomplish the mission.
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