I received a text over the weekend that could only have been divine timing. I was working on a new book and at the precise moment that I got the text I was writing about Luckie Street in Atlanta, (the very first place I went when I came to Atlanta which is included in the title of my autobiography, “Miracle on Luckie Street”).
The text contained a photo of a street sign and a caption that stated: “Thought of you” and sure enough it was Luckie Street.
I responded with Lol.
He wrote, “Love you Bob! Still my mentor. I never have missed a Words for the Day since February 2011.”
I replied, “Wow what a nice compliment!”
He wrote, “I reached out to you right out of jail January 2011. The most amazing thing is you called me back. For the rest of my life, I will never forget that phone call. With the Fellowship of Christian Athletes I tell coaches all the time . . . you have no idea the impact you have on players. I tell you the same . . . you have no idea the impact you have on people including this wretch…me! Bottom line is . . . I’m forever grateful for you!”
Wow That was unexpected, I responded, “You made my day. Thank you my brother!”
To which he replied, “I’m just grateful for the miracle that took place on Luckie Street”.
Hmmm . . . I tell you what ministry work of any kind can be filled with heartache. It is stressful and can strain someone to the breaking point. I read an article entitled “Pastor Burnout – The Silent Ministry Killer” and excerpted this passage:
“Pastor burnout is a weapon the enemy uses with great efficiency. It is surprising in its simplicity but brutal in its impact. Burnout begins by encouraging us to do what we do best – minister to people. But as we serve, subtle conflict infiltrates our minds.
At first, confidence leads us to some great expectations. But those very expectations are the seeds of our own downfall. Why is it that we develop such an idealistic portrait of ministry and our own abilities?
Failure to meet these expectations leads to disappointment and confusion: “Am I doing this right?” “Why am I not seeing the results I should be seeing?” “Why did he get so angry about this?” “Am I really prepared to do this?” “I never knew ministry was like this.” “I am going to work harder.” “Maybe I need to look for a different church.” “This isn’t what I thought being a pastor would be like.”
It’s very logical, when you think about it. Peter states that Satan is prowling around looking for someone to have for lunch (1 Peter 5:8). As pastors, we know that many people in our congregations are vulnerable to these attacks. That’s why God put us in their lives. Hebrews 13:17 states that pastors keep watch over the souls of people in their congregations. And Peter teaches that we are to care for our congregation like a shepherd cares and protects his sheep (1 Peter 5:3).
So if you want to harm the flock, you first need to attack the shepherd.”
The statistics concerning pastor burnout tell the story:
- 13% of active pastors are divorced.
- 23% have been fired or pressured to resign at least once in their careers.
- 25% don’t know where to turn when they have a family or personal conflict or issue.
- 25% of pastors’ wives see their husband’s work schedule as a source of conflict.
- 33% felt burned out within their first five years of ministry.
- 33% say that being in ministry is an outright hazard to their family.
- 40% of pastors and 47% of spouses are suffering from burnout, frantic schedules, and/or unrealistic expectations.
- 45% of pastors’ wives say the greatest danger to them and their family is physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual burnout.
- 45% of pastors say that they’ve experienced depression or burnout to the extent that they needed to take a leave of absence from ministry.
- 50% feel unable to meet the needs of the job.
- 52% of pastors say they and their spouses believe that being in pastoral ministry is hazardous to their family’s well-being and health.
- 56% of pastors’ wives say that they have no close friends.
- 57% would leave the pastorate if they had somewhere else to go or some other vocation they could do.
- 70% don’t have any close friends.
- 75% report severe stress causing anguish, worry, bewilderment, anger, depression, fear, and alienation.
- 80% of pastors say they have insufficient time with their spouse.
- 80% believe that pastoral ministry affects their families negatively.
- 90% feel unqualified or poorly prepared for ministry.
- 90% work more than 50 hours a week.
- 94% feel under pressure to have a perfect family.
- 1,500 pastors leave their ministries each month due to burnout, conflict, or moral failure.
While I’m not a church pastor, I’ve found the ministry work that I do to be filled with the same demonic oppression. I’ve written Words for the Day five days a week for nearly 18 years whether I was sick, on vacation, tired, didn’t feel like it, or whatever. I founded a church, I wrote a book that bared my ugly secrets to the world, and of course founded the Jesus Alliance, and all of it has weighed heavily on me and my family, especially the difficulties surrounding getting the Jesus Alliance going.
So Satan doesn’t like me; he has attacked me and my family with health issues; he has attacked my wealth, friendships, and anywhere and everywhere else he can find that I’m vulnerable.
I heard a preacher say the other day he needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit because it leaked out every day with all of the holes Satan had put in his body. I’m leaking too!
Ugh!
And then I get a text like the one I got from Dutch Nelson. A guy who heard me offer my testimony at a commencement ceremony for his niece. Shortly thereafter he was jailed for a variety of issues. He called and told me his story, I encouraged Dutch to follow Jesus and he did and now works fulltime for FCA helping young athletes and their coaches find Jesus. His text encouraged me mightily and I am so happy he took the time, particularly at this difficult time in my life and the life of my ministry. I suspect God in his infinite wisdom saw from above and wanted to encourage me and prompted Dutch to write when he saw the Luckie Street sign. Thank you Jesus! It is just what I needed. I pray that if you are discouraged or the object of satanic oppression that He reaches out to you today. Let me offer a little tip: it helps to cry out to the Lord in prayer.
Psalm 138:3
“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.”
August 23 2016 – Click here to listen