We live in a culture rife with undermined trust… Politicians, public servants, business professionals, and pastors are distrusted at record levels. The pillars of ethical confidence that undergird a functioning society are disintegrating. In the latest Gallup Poll measuring the public’s ethical ratings for 23 professions, less than a third gave clergy a passing grade for their honesty and moral behavior. Pastors are not alone—every profession on the list (except for labor-union leaders) experienced a drop in esteem. Even nurses, the most trusted profession on the list (at 78%) dropped 11 percentage points from its zenith in 2020.
I understand why Americans feel less and less confident about the ethical behavior of pastors and other public servants—I subscribe to three news services that focus on religious coverage, and every day I get a new dose of bad news about pastors-gone-wrong. These are heartbreaking and gut-punch stories of the destruction that follows abuses of spiritual authority. This bad-news cycle feeds the religious news service beast, over-stating the breadth of moral failure among religious leaders and undermining public perceptions of pastors’ credibility (from 67% in 1985 to 32% today).
And—it’s vital to note—this bad-news-mongering leaves the public with a warped perspective on the millions of ministry leaders who will never make the news because of their moral failings. In fact, so much of what is “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable” (Phil. 4:8) in our culture is the work of pastors who carry the love of Jesus to the needy into dark corners, with self-sacrificing courage, commitment, and care.
And so, in the middle of Pastor Appreciation Month, here’s my top-of-mind list of gratitudes for ministry leaders… like you.
- For all those who’ve lost count of the number of times you’ve put up or taken down the folding chairs and folding tables for a ministry event or community gathering. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve responded with grace, wisdom, and longsuffering when yet another congregant brings an impossible request or short-sighted criticism at the worst possible time. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve burned the midnight oil to lean into the Spirit’s guidance as you prepare a sermon, teaching, Bible study, or retreat. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve offered their vulnerability and admitted their weakness, modeling a Jesus-dependent lifestyle. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve listened with steadfast humility and Kingdom-of-God perspective as their friends and family describe fabulous vacations, second homes, expensive hobbies, and upscale lifestyles—reminding yourself (with a wry smile) of the “kingdom treasure” that fills your heart. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve had to endure someone asking about your calling with “Is that a full-time job?” and then responded with good humor. Thank you.
- For all those who took on years of debt and filled up your everyday margins as you worked to complete your graduate education. Thank you.
- For all those whose families had to work around your ministry schedule, especially in holiday seasons, and missed out on family time so others could enjoy it. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve remained steadfast and committed to your spouse as temptations swirled around you. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve been determined to care for your own family as you care for others’ families, setting hard boundaries and risking disappointing others’ expectations. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve heard your elders or trustees say “no” to cost-of-living raises or increased assistance with benefits, but gave the best of yourself anyway. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve managed to make and maintain deeper friendships with people in your congregation, resisting the urge to functionally isolate yourself because it’s risky and hard to connect with the people you’re serving. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve stood for the truth and named the truth in the midst of a divisive and polarized culture, risking threats and misunderstandings because of it. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve intentionally “decreased” so that others could “increase.” Thank you.
- For all those who’ve persevered in your position when it would’ve been far easier to leave. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve “run toward the fire” in the lives of your congregants instead of “run away from the fire,” offering compassion and care in the worst possible moments. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve offered their present-day story not as an example of how to do it right, but as an example of how not to do it. Thank you.
- For all those who repeatedly and humbly embraced Peter’s declaration of discipleship in John 6:68-69—“Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” Thank you.
- For all those who’ve owned their failures and sought restoration and healing instead of plastering over your responsibility or hiding behind a façade. Thank you.
- For all those who’ve given themselves to love, to exercise a love that “never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” Thank you.
Just for You!
My new book Editing Jesus is now out. Just click on this link and you can download a pdf of a long excerpt from the book.
Help Is Here!
Fall is on our doorstep, and we innovative, practical resources that will help you infuse your ministry environment with “rich soil” for transformation. Our newest resource is The Sacred Stories Project. This multi-media resource offers your people a simple, safe, and “normal” way to share aspects of their story in natural, genuine ways. And you get a more connected, honest, and “known” congregation. It’s four guided sessions with accompanying video segments from Adam Young, trauma counselor and host of the podcast The Place We Find Ourselves.
And check out our new resource Listening to Jesus Together. It’s a set of six carefully crafted “listening encounters” designed for three people to experience together—online or in-person. The goal is to give people in your congregation a weekly “reminder habit” to help them listen to Jesus in the context of a short-term small-community experience.
Next, Following Jesus is a curriculum resource you can use with both adults and teenagers in your church this fall—help them explore what an ABIDING/REMAINING relationship with Jesus is like. It’s an experiential, highly interactive, co-discovery way to invite people into deeper intimacy with Jesus.
And The Life of Jesus TalkCards is a simple, devotional way to invite small groups into the heart of Jesus.
Rick Lawrence is Executive Director of Vibrant Faith—he created the new curriculum Following Jesus. He’s editor of the Jesus-Centered Bible and author of 40 books, including his new release Editing Jesus: Confronting the Distorted Faith of the American Church, The Suicide Solution, The Jesus-Centered Life and Jesus-Centered Daily. He hosts the podcast Paying Ridiculous Attention to Jesus.
Save your seat for… Home-Centered, Church-Supported Formation Strategies, taught by Dr. Nancy Going. The parents who are part of Vibrant Faith’s 4th-Soil Parenting project are using innovative tools and strategies to explore their own spiritual lives, then learn to better influence their kids toward spiritual growth. Learn what we’re learning about the church’s role in supporting home-centered faith formation. Learn More Here