Admit it. You do not have enough time or energy to do everything that is expected of you. I’m in that same leaky boat. The good news is that we are not supposed to. Although our gifts and calling are irrevocable, they don’t make us invincible.
What if we refused to be the solution to every problem in our church? Imagine defining ministry success by how our members succeed instead of how we succeed?
Since our call is to equip people for ministry, we should be giving plates away, not spinning them more ourselves. To help you better focus on your calling, I would like to suggest four professions pastors are not called to.
A pastor is not a referee.
Referees and umpires have the most thankless jobs on the planet. They should wear spots instead of stripes because they are huge targets for criticism.
Conflict resolution may be the part of a pastor’s job that comes with the most pressure and least preparation. Although every pastor (and believer) is called to be a minister of reconciliation, some of us are more gifted and equipped for it than others.
I took too many years to give myself permission to not fix every feud between spouses, siblings and church members. God reminded me how He fixed the first church conflict in history — with an assist from deacons. As these capable lay leaders waged peace, the pastors refocused on prayer and the ministry of the Word, which led to another wave of growth.
A pastor is not an attorney.
When conflicts reach a legal impasse, some people will consult their pastors for advice. Being an expert in God’s law does not qualify you to be an expert in man’s law.
We have heard too many examples of ministers mishandling reports of sexual abuse by trying to navigate around the justice system instead of partnering with it. Although it may seem like the line between spiritual counsel and legal counsel is grey, the stakes are too high to go with your gut.
A pastor is not a therapist.
Mental health issues are difficult to diagnose for any nonprofessional. Taking a counseling class in seminary does not qualify you to diagnose yourself, much less someone else. In some states, it is not even lawful to use the word “counselor” without the credentials to back it up.
I confess that it is not always easy to discern between a chemical problem and a character problem, as some people struggle with both at the same time. If you suspect someone needs more than you can offer, please encourage them to talk to their doctor or a licensed therapist.
A pastor is not a generalist.
Pastors must discern whether they are equipping people or enabling them. If we become the hero of someone’s story, we divert their attention from the only real Savior. A hero complex has led many pastors down steep paths of burnout, depression or worse.
By the way, I personally know a few pastors who are also practicing attorneys, therapists or referees — but they are the exception. What profession are you practicing that is beyond your gifts and calling? Perhaps it is time you turn your focus back to your primary purpose, thereby encouraging others in your church or ministry to do the same.
This article originally appeared in the SBC Texan.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Mark Dance is director of pastoral wellness with GuideStone Financial Resources.)
