“Pastors are tired” has been a recent headline in several ministry communications. When I read it, I had two conflicting thoughts that I’ll share. Be warned, the first is a bit grumpy, but it is followed by what I hope is a compassionate and helpful resource (stick around for that, it’s worth it).
The grumpy part
First of all, to address the issue of being tired, my question to pastors and people involved in work for the Kingdom of God, from a lifetime of ministry is, “What do you expect?”
You are involved in spiritual warfare for the eternal souls of those the Lord has put in your care and it is at times a challenging and brutal battle. Jesus promised that when he said, “In this world, you WILL have tribulation (Jn. 16:33).”
When the Apostle Paul recounted his ministry, his sleepless nights, the beatings and stonings he endured in 2 Cor 11, (which few contemporary pastors experience, though some do), in addition to his unceasing concerns for his people, it was an exhausting ministry. As far as we know, it never got better for him. When, in his last letter to Timothy, he talked about “fighting the good fight” (2 Tim.4:7) he didn’t mention any timeouts on the way.
In the Old Testament I’m currently reading the book of Jeremiah and as far as I can tell, that prophet who had a long ministry, never had a good day. He preached faithfully and was continually mocked, threatened with death, and at one time thrown into a muddy hole.
As I write this, I’m tired. No need for details, but once again I’m reminded of a devotion I heard by Ann Ortland decades ago at a writers’ conference when she said, “Much of the work of the Kingdom is done by very tired people.”
Somehow that statement has greatly encouraged me over the years. We will get tired. It’s part of the job description and prayerfully, like Jesus, in Heb. 12:2, for the joy (and rest) set before us, we endure.
And now the helpful response—the Bible805 Academy
When we are tired in ministry we do need to evaluate whether it is a necessary part of the job or if there are ways that some burdens can be lifted. Often they can be lifted by another member of the Body of Christ and that is what I want to do.
I have spent the last few years developing a large body of resources that I pray will help pastors, teachers, and group leaders who want to teach the Bible. I’ve done that in part because I know that many in these positions have many other responsibilities they need to fulfill in their churches and other ministries—administrative, financial, counseling, communications work—all sorts of jobs that small and under-resourced churches simply don’t have additional staff for or money to hire out. One person has to do it all or it doesn’t get done.
In the midst of that is often little time for study and I offer what I’ve done to do it for them. I’ve spent many, many hours in research and organizing lessons about the Bible, why we can trust it, how we got it, lessons on the entire Bible, Bible reading plans, infographics that explain difficult concepts (like a timeline of the prophets and about the Trinity). They are now ALL FREE (or PWYW—pay-what-you-want, but FREE is greatly encouraged) for anyone who needs them. You can check out many of them on this Bible805.com website and my Bible805 YouTube channel but the following resource has them in downloadable format.
On the Bible805 Academy, this material includes videos without ads, audio files, editable PowerPoint lessons, questions, notes, plus infographics if they go with the lesson, all to equip you to teach. You may edit them, take my name and any Bible805 information off them, and use them all without attribution. The only limitation is that you cannot use them to make materials that you resell. You can freely give away or pass them on, however.
For updates when new materials are posted on the Academy, teaching tips, and other helpful ministry resources sign up for the Bible805 Newsletter, the Lion’s Voice.
My prayer is that the resources on the Bible805 Academy will encourage and equip you. . . and maybe even give you time for a well-deserved nap.