drew moser: Pastoral Confessions...

journal : : field notes

Pastoral Confessions...

11 September 2007

I've been tagged again by Todd Hiestand (He must be a faster runner than I). He's asking for pastors to post some 'pastoral confessions'. Here we go:

I confess that all the money and time spent in seminary insufficiently prepared me for pastoral ministry. I believe the knowledge and growth gained from seminary was invaluable, but it's certainly no comprehensive preparation for ministry.
I confess that I'm too tempted by performance and statistics based ministry.
I confess that I've often asked God, "Why the H**L did you call me to be a pastor?"
I confess that, as a pastor, some of my darkest and most discouraging moments have come on Sunday mornging [gasp].
I confess that I'm terrible at managing ministry programs. I would make a horrible CEO, and it's unfortunate that contemporary pastoral ministry is so closely aligned with corporate America.
I confess that I have serious, serious, questions in my soul about the problem of evil. I constantly am wounded by the thought of a good, mighty, all-powerful God who allows for such suffering in the world. This often leads to an internal struggle over the role and power of prayer...
I confess that I'm too tempted by the notion that I can shatter preconcieved notions of what a 'pastor' is. I confess that this rebellious tendency is partially from a self-consciousness about my role and identity as a pastor.
I confess that, in a world of poverty, hunger, and disease, I feel guilty pulling a full-time salary for my job as a pastor.
I confess that I cringe when, before a group meal, everyone expects me to say the prayer, because "He's the pastor!"

I also confess that pastoral ministry has exposed and dealt with so many personal weaknesses, and I'm a better husband, father, and child of God because of it. In spite of all of the above 'confessions'. I praise God that "His grace is sufficient, for His power is made perfect in weaknesses." (2 Cor. 12:9)

I'll tag some pastors myself:
Joel Newton
Bob Hyatt
Dustin Bagby (I know you hate this stuff, but I think this one is good)
Trevor Lee