A letter to pastors and their families (the rest of you may eavesdrop)
Dear minister and family,
I’m not sure where you are at while reading this. Maybe you’re at the breakfast table, your day just beginning. Maybe you’re waiting for one thing to end and another to begin. Perhaps you’re avoiding writing this week’s message or avoiding responding to that email that just came in. I’m making a guess where your two feet are, but I think I’m pretty spot on with where your heart is.
It’s pulled.
It’s downcast.
It’s drowning.
It wants to hold on.
It needs oxygen.
If our hearts cannot function, our lungs lack air and we know where that leads.
So I’m writing this letter to you in this minute. I care deeply for all of you, especially those of you who are church planting. (You are the ones building something from scratch without a steady budget, team, or income.) We might not know each other by name or have shared the stories of when God called us to lead the church, and that’s not necessary for the purpose of this letter. This is necessary:
You are a vital part of the Kingdom of God. Are you listening to me? You are. The work that God has done in you, how He has equipped you, called you, sent you, established you isn’t to be thrown away, overlooked, or devalued.
You must tell your heart this truth: I matter to God and what He is building here on this earth.
You are a threat to the enemy. The devil knows you are discouraged. He knows you battle with anxiety, the unknowns of the future, comparisons, and inadequacies. That’s why he has set up camp outside your house.
You must go outside today and tell him this: You don’t belong here, Satan. God and His angel armies surround this home and you will not win.
You are crucial to the future of the Church. Jesus, the head of the Body, calls us to play our part.You expect this of your local body. He expects this of you. If He hasn’t told you to go somewhere else, then you are to keep to the assignment He has purposefully given you under His authority and grace.
You need to observe Sabbath, make an appointment with a counselor, and/or go on a much needed vacation.
Your family needs you. What you give to your family in turn is given to those God has called you to lead. Ben and I have been amazed, shocked really, that the people of our church observe how we live as a couple and as a family.
I used to think this was “fishbowl-like” and somewhat creepy, until I realized this was a part of the glorious calling.
Our marriage and family are daily and weekly sermons. Vulnerable ones. And not always the brightest. But when you give your very best to your spouse and kids, it preaches.
Go give them hugs and kisses. They’ll want more.
You are ministering to the few. Few is not the same as small in the Kingdom of God. Those few have names. They are significant to God. This is why Jesus showed us what He can do with five and three, with one, and twelve.
The world says more, Jesus says meaning. The voices say numbers, Jesus says names.
Those few that you are leading need to hear from you today.
Your heart needs oxygen. Call a mentor, a friend, your spouse, someone and tell them you’re not doing okay right now. Let their words be oxygen to your heart. And if you’re breathing just fine, call someone who God brings to your mind and heart that could use some needed deep breaths.
Those eavesdropping, thank you. Your pastor and their family need your intercessory prayers. They need to know what they’re doing is making a difference. They need babysitters, a meal delivered, an invitation to come over and not talk shop. Thank you for caring for your pastors and their families.
Caring for you because someone is caring for me,
Shauna
