If a pastor is not careful, the weight of everyone else’s problems will take precedence over the issues and concerns of his immediate family. I see it frequently among pastors I encounter. There have been seasons of my ministry where this is the case, especially on abnormally stressful days.

I decided years ago when I was a small business owner, serving in an elected office and on dozens of non-profit boards that my busyness would never detract from my family life.

Here are 7 ways I attempt to protect my family from the stress of ministry.

Pastor burnout is a common problem in the church today. I hear from pastors everyday facing the stress of ministry.

Here’s a common scenario that can cause that to happen…it may be the most common one I hear…perhaps this is your story:

I had an opportunity this week thanks to Casey Graham to speak to a group of executive pastors. I was asked to give my perspective as a senior pastor, since each of them report to one. I thought you might also be interested in what I shared. Since I was addressing other issues in addition to this, I was limited on time, so I have added a few since I spoke with them.

Here are 10 things you may not know about a senior pastor:

I love the ministry of Soles4Souls. Their success in doing their mission has been a phenomenal achievement. In fact, I understand a book is being released soon that chronicles their journey over the last five years. I interviewed Soles4Souls founder and CEO Wayne Elsey previously. You can read that post HERE. Wayne has taken a personal interest in Haiti. He’s crying out for Americans to see the need. He’s going to Haiti monthly. Recently Wayne shared a plan he has to help with the tremendous housing problem they have. I thought it was worth sharing here. See this powerpoint presentation on Soles4Souls Haiti project. For more information, contact Soles4Souls through their website.

I was encouraged recently reading the story of Jehu in 2 Kings 9. Jehu was anointed king over Israel. At first glance, that sounds like a glamorous position, but when we read the entire story we find that before Jehu could rule his kingdom, he had to first battle to do so. (I think King David had a similar difficult experience prior to becoming king.)

I shared in an earlier post about Nehemiah. In Nehemiah 4:9 we read that while Nehemiah prayed asking God to protect the work he was doing, he also did what he knew to do….he posted guards to keep watch over their work.

Those two passages, and others throughout the Bible of men and women who responded to God’s call, remind me that God’s will for my life isn’t simply to wait for Him to deliver me. Often God’s will includes hard days of waiting for His plan to be revealed. The fact that ministry is difficult at times, doesn’t imply that I am not in the center of God’s will for my life. The opposite may be truer.

You may have been anointed for the job you’ve been given, but we should never assume that because God asked us to do the task that completing it will be easy. Part of our calling is often to find the faith to keep moving forward, even when the obstacles seem insurmountable.

Today I’m giving away 3 copies of the book ViralHope: Good News from the Urbs to the Burbs, JR Woodward’s collection of inspiring essays of how the gospel is living around the world. While this was a new book to me, I’ve discovered this to be a book you’ll want to read.

Today was one of the hardest days in ministry that I’ve had in many months, yet it was a confirming day at the same time. Let me explain.

I love real life examples of people willing to do whatever God calls them to do, regardless of the sacrifice or cost. I am happy to share one such story with you. Jason and Kerby Harpst are a young couple that attend Grace Community Church. Cheryl and I had the privilege of being at their [...]

In our Series, Everybody Everywhere, I shared a message encouraging our people to find a place to invest their time and resources. Here is that sermon in its entirety.

The people Joshua was supposed to be leading were not going in the direction he was supposed to be taking them. The Israelites had fallen to the ways of the world, following other gods, and choosing to reject their commitments made to God and to Joshua.