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Hello Pastors,

I'm doing a research paper for a study and I wanted to ask Pastors what their biggest frustrations in ministry are.

I appreciate your answer in advance!

Carlo Krouzian

Just a couple quick replies (perhaps I can get back to this later with more):

1) Feelings of personal inadequacy.
2) A sense of lack of spiritual discipline in the congregation (and myself)
3) People who feel they know better how you should do your job

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Amen to both! I am constantly bothered by the beginning of statements, "I know the Bible says...BUT"

Another Frustration is the "fish-bowl" effect upon my family (especially my children). The intense scrutiny and pressures that are sometimes openly placed upon them and other times are somewhat "felt" because they are a "minister's wife/child". It's almost impossible to raise them in a "normal" atmosphere. A small mess-up becomes a cardinal no-no. In the words of Barnabas Piper (John Piper's son), Quoted from an article in Ligonier Ministries Tabletalk Magazine, July 2012 issue titled "Sinners in a Fish Bowl" pages 74-75

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Blessings,
Randy
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Just to distill the article a bit, “the eyes are the windows to the soul” I believe good can discern evil in our daily perspicuous duties of life.
On the front of biggest challenges, deciding whether one has been called to be a shepherd to a group of people.

Hebrews 5
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was

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Kola,

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Kola,

Your post is interesting. What's the relationship between priests and pastors? Is the calling the same? What about the priesthood of all believers? Does that imply the pastorhood (?) of all believers?

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Not all those who wander are lost.

Let me get back on that a little more thought is needed on my part, though I sincerely believe an individual can ascertain whether or not a calling is necessitated by the Holy Spirit or by others. I believe a simple question to ask each morning when rising, is, will you play for an audience of one or to an audience of many. In other words, are you doing all for Christ in everything you do or are you doing so for the crowd at hand.

Aside on the other post strider, I was not trying to be abrasive on the dark knight post,

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Kola,

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

I just preached through Ephesians....and now I'm going through James. One frustration that I'm feeling is that I want to be true to the text--but I don't want to sound like I'm trying to beat down the sheep. There are a lot of general teachings on how to live in those books.

I think a major frustration of pastors (could be coupled with the above) is the need to show growth. If the church isn't growing, you look like you're not doing your job and people question your value.

The office of priest has never been an office within the body of Christ, the NT church. Hence, it follows that there is no relationship because God does not call men to be priests. God placed the office of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher in the NT church. These are the offices of the church. Some continue, but even some of them were apparently temporary.

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There is a tradition throughout the history of theology, of saying things vigorously, combatively. William Edgar, Christian Apologetics, Cornelius Van Til

No problem. It made me think.

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Not all those who wander are lost.

Does the NT establish "Ofices" rather than "ministries, Works, and Tasks"? Its not clear to me that "Ofices"" (and Oficials) have any place in the Church or the Kingdom.

Not sure on the context of the two being used interchangeably, yet I think the differences exist. For example when I think of priest, I am reminded of the O.T. and the temple with its priests. Likewise in the book of Hebrews, priest is used quite often. In fact Christ our high priest. Pastor or the way it is being used by Paul would indicate to me an individual(s) leading a group of people in worship in a multitude of house churches, synagogues and similar places. The temple was a onetime event foreshadowing the church, I believe. Perhaps in this sense the same can be said of priest and pastor. Yet we are all called to be priests, not necessarily pastors. Be What I think this means to me, is, when our lives have been transformed by the gospel , it is our duty to help others lives to be transformed by sharing the good news. One does not necessarily need to be a pastor, priest or bishop for that matter to share the good news, what one is, is a follower of Christ. I am reminded of the great commission in the ending of Matthews’s gospel.

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Kola,

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.