I believe that every pastor has two definite needs: First, the need for brothers and sisters to labor beside him in the work of the church, and second, the need of the grace and freedom to fail.
I get a fair bit of e-mail and other correspondence from church leaders who are bowed down under the burden of carrying on the responsibilities of the church alone. In fact, I've rarely spoken with a pastor, elder, or ministry director who didn't feel he or she needed help. It seems that churchgoers often think it's the pastor's job to do their evangelizing for them! "That's why we hired the pastor and other staff," they say.
But Ephesians 4:11, 12 clearly says it ain't so! "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ. . ." (nas). This means leaders are called of God primarily to "equip the saints" for the work the saints are to be involved in, as God's kingdom is built. It not only takes trustworthy, sacrificial leadership but also willing, teachable people to DO the work of the ministry.
An important part of pastoral work is locating people within the congregation who are teachable, large-hearted, spiritually gifted, and skilled enough to be able to help. Delegating responsibilities to such people is essential if doing "the work of service" is to be accomplished. What sorts of service? Everything from evangelizing, praying, cell-group leading to painting, plastering, and church furniture hauling!!
All too often, it is left for the pastor to "do it all," and that is simply impossible. I would say that the burden of leadership is already great enough for a pastor, and this in part because more members in the local church aren't joining he or she in carrying the load that God Himself ordained THEM to carry. This must be considered, discussed, and communicated without placing blame on people. It's a matter of biblical and practical fact.
Leadership "burnout" and the high attrition rate of church leaders are certainly part of the price being paid for this lack of congregational response to these issues. I think it right for the pastor to pray, talk to those in the wider leadership sphere in their church, and ask what it is each mature member is willing to do to share the load.
Grace to fail is the second thing leaders need. All of us need grace (I speak as a brother and also as part of a pastoral team here at JPUSA). Jesus' sacrifice on the cross not only redeemed fallen man, but also revealed our Lord's love, mercy, and grace (unmerited favor) towards all. But just as all leaders aren't full of grace for those who make mistakes and sin, so it is with church members.
A short time ago I corresponded with yet another brother who has been in ministry for a long time. He admitted his own struggle as pastor of a church that at times didn't exactly major in kindness and love for one another. He confessed his lack of committment in graciously communicating his own needs and struggles. He posed a question often asked by pastors and other Christian leaders: "Where can I turn to share my burdens? I'm afraid my church folks won't understand or accept my struggles, and therefore they won't be able to accept me. This puts me in a bind regarding integrity. How can I walk in integrity when I'm afraid to be honest with anyone in my own assembly?"
My advice is always the same, and it's advice I personally practice: get very close to two or three friends and submitted leaders in Christ with whom you can cultivate a deeply honest, Word- and grace-centered partnership. Confess your sins, vent to them, and hear their scriptural response to your burdens. Pastors who don't do so will almost surely burn out or blow up!
A reminder to all of us. Pray for those following the call to leadership in the body of Christ! Volunteer if you can, try to get alongside your pastor and other staff members in Christian ministries and learn how to help lift their arms as the men did for Moses when the battle continued all day long. Be a partial bearer of the sufficient grace Jesus told Paul He would supply. You will reap what you sow, so sow grace to those God uses to equip you in Christ!
