Over the last few weeks, I have been reaching out to pastors with the question “How can I pray for you?” For the most part, it has been well received. Some never responded. Thanks to Facebook Messenger, I know that they read the message. I was pretty relentless in my pursuits some days to message up to 5 pastors to get one to respond with a prayer request.
This confirmed to me that some pastors are reluctant to open up. They have difficult trusting people, even other pastors. Believe it or not, pastors can be vicious toward each other. Ministry can become a competition where one pastor trashes another pastor to his church and community. In a small community like where I reside, it takes very little to ruin a person’s reputation. They may have done nothing wrong, but one person’s reaction that stems from bitterness can be believable. Soon it spreads like a cancer. No wonder some pastors don’t feel like they have a safe place anywhere.
At this stage of my life, I’m not too concerned with how my ministry to other pastors is perceived or received. Matthew 10 tells us that there are times when you have to shake the dust off your feet and move on.
I’m determined to fulfill my God-given mission no matter what. In this transition, I still don’t know what that looks like. I feel like a fish out of water, but I hold fast to the reality that God will assign me to something that will accommodate the craziness of my life. Most churches won’t have me on staff because of my travels to pick up and drop off my kids. Who said I need to be on staff somewhere? Some churches won’t allow me behind their pulpit because I’m divorced. God can still use His Word and my mouth to proclaim it. It may be a little unconventional, but I trust God to open doors no one can shut.
I will tell you one thing that is on my heart right now. I have been on staff in churches where money was an issue. I would love to be able to provide some ministry to churches that do not have the resources but have the desire to be a biblical New Testament Church. I envision God making a way for me to provide training, pulpit ministry, worship resources, strategic planning, visionary direction, or whatever a church needs that doesn’t have the funds to do it. I don’t know what that will look like, but I know there are still some people and pastors out there who would love to have certain resources but can’t afford them. I would love for God to use me to help make it happen. Is it because I think I’m the answer? Absolutely not! It’s because I know the answer – the Lord Jesus Christ who wants them to be a shining light where they are.
Please pray for pastors as we wrap up this month of appreciation for them. Also, I ask that you pray for me that God would allow me to refresh the weary laborers who pour their lives into their congregations and communities.
Matthew Winters (Honest Thoughts from a Pastor) 
Sweet, Matthew! I really believe everybody has a ministry, whether they are a pastor or not. Many times I have been pressed into some form of ministry without enough support, cover, protection, perhaps. So I empathize with pastors. Exodus tells us, “When Moses’ arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down.”
We need more Aaron’s and Hur’s in the world.
Amen!
Yes Daddy, man of God. Thanks so much, for this wonderful food for thought
Neverending Fount of living water, thank You for Matthew’s desire to strengthen, refresh, and comfort pastors so that they, in turn, may comfort Your people. Lord, pour out Your Spirit on him in such a way that his cup literally overflows with praise and comfort. When suffering comes, as it always will for Your people, send others to comfort, strengthen, and refresh him in turn. May he know the absolute peace that comes from a heart that trusts in You, amen.
This post reminds me of 2 Corinthians 1:1-6 and some other thoughts which I’ll probably share on my blog soon…
Thank you, Heather, for this prayer! May God do exceeding abundantly above what we ask or think.
A good word dude and praying now
Thanks, my friend!
Hey Matthew. I appreciate your burden for pastors. Pastors have their own peril. Thanks for appreciating pastors. They are often more criticized than appreciated. They are on forefront of attacks from the devil and members who don’t appreciate the pastor. So praying for the pastor is really the greatest need. Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts.
Thanks for sharing!
Oh, Heaven of glory the seat of the Most High God, pour out your abundant blessings, grace, mercy and supernatural supply to Your servant to fulfill this great mandate of reaching out to Your people in Your vineyard. I pray that the good Lord will break barriers and protocols for you and come through for you in all you are believing God for in Jesus name.Remain ever blessed Brother. My thoughts and prayers are always with you from this day onward. You’ve touched my innermost heart. Thanks for this piece.
Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!
Remain blessed sir