I suggested last Sunday that the message of the day may well be the most important yet in my four-year tenure at TRBC.
I introduced things this way:
My burden today in preaching this message stems from a time-sensitive responsibility. I want to help foster a fruitful transition from my ministry to Pastor Eric’s for his and your sakes.
I say burden because of this alarming trend reported by Barna Research group:
As of March 2022, the percentage of pastors who have considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year sits at 42 percent—up 13 percentage points from 29 percent in January 2021. … Over half of pastors who have considered quitting full-time ministry (56%) say “the immense stress of the job” has factored into their thoughts on leaving. Beyond these general stressors, two in five pastors (43%) say “I feel lonely and isolated,” while 38 percent name “current political divisions” as reasons they’ve considered stepping away.
Like the rest of us in vocational ministry, Eric will have to exercise his own personal responsibility to mitigate, however he can, those occupational hazards and more.
But I aim today to persuade you as his future people that you must own your side of this challenge. Every TRBC household can make a significant difference in your new pastor’s stress level by your ethic in the way you relate to him.
Hence my title: How to Please God in the Treatment of Your Next Pastor-Teacher.
I choose to post about the message this week because my heart's desire longs for all our households to hear it. To do so click on the link by hovering over the title in blue above.
If you prefer to read the manuscript (please note it lacks the impromptu Spirit-led additions in the preaching moment), you can do so by refreshing your browser and viewing the popup.
Please note: hard copies of the manuscript will be available at church this Sunday.
