"The Monday Morning Ministry Hangover"
And Moses said to the Lord , "Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, `Give us meat to eat!' I can't carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!" (Numbers 11:11-15 NLT)
Moses' request for God to kill him seems so crazy doesn't it? Can leading this people really be that bad? They have whined & complained along the way so much & Moses is weary of leading them. So weary, death seems a better option!!
Now, I would never say that pastors have come to this point but I do think the feeling is similar. In reality, some may have utters these very words. Please don't hear me as being critical of church members either. I simply want to highlight the burden of leadership here that is often very difficult to identify with if someone has never been a pastor.
Every Monday around the world, many pastors feel like Moses here. "Kill me now God! I can't possibly preach another sermon, have another counseling session, or do another funeral." This may or may not have to do with the people the pastor is leading. For instance, I've known of a lot of guys that have great places to serve with great people to lead but the burden of ministry is still so strong. The Monday preaching hangover can be one of the most discouraging days for a pastor. One pastor was asked if he ever thought about quitting, his reply was, "Every Monday." Some people think, "What's the big deal? You only work one day a week!" Although this is humorous, it couldn't be farther from the truth. Pastors cannot turn off ministry. They can't leave it at the office. This is mostly true because ministry doesn't happen in an office but in the real world lives of people. Most pastors are consumed with the burden & demands of ministry 24/7 even on vacations & days off.
There is an overwhelming burden for pastors to lead their people. They are burdened about their people's sin. They are burdened about their people's choices. They are burdened about their people's souls. They can't sleep at night because the people they serve are constantly on their minds.
While this burden can be difficult to bear, most pastors wouldn't trade it for the world. There is no other calling in life that is as difficult & as rewarding as ministry all at the same time. The joy of seeing people come to Christ, grow in him, & develop his patterns & passions in their lives cannot be equalled.
While this burden is very real, the joy of ministry is very real as well. I have the joy of serving a congregation that understands the burden of ministry. I am in no way throwing a pity party or wanting everyone in my church to grovel with me. They know what it means to pastor & lead. But if your church doesn't know this, it would mean the world to your pastor to approach him & ask, "What can I do for you or with you to help bear the burden of ministry with you?" At first he will look at his shoes & either request prayer or say nothing. Stay with him! Say, "No, really, Moses had 70 elders helping him, how can I help you?" This will mean the world to him to know that you are concerned for his welfare & that you understand his burden. He will be blessed by this & you will be too!
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