The Ballestero Blog

Things That Keep An Apostolic Pastor Up At Night

Being a pastor involves much more than just standing behind the pulpit. As an under-shepherd of the Lord’s flock he has the responsibility of their spiritual protection, feeding, and care. Knowing that some day he must answer to God, a pastor who is according to His heart, strives to be very careful.

A refreshed pastor is more likely to bring a fresh word for his hearers. Tired and burnt-out ones may be happy to just get through the day. That is where a good nights rest is worth its weight in gold.

Sometimes He Wakes Up In The Night And His Mind Won’t Shut Back Down.

• That’s when his sleep is gone.
• That’s when he worries.
• That’s when he tosses and turns.
• That’s when he is desperate for the answer from God about what to do.
• That’s when his wife has her sleep disturbed.
• That’s when he has to get up and go into another room.

So, What Keeps Your Pastor Up At Night? What If It Was You?

Is It You Keeping Him Awake?

• Your spiritual condition.
• Your attitude.
• Your critical comments.
• Your withdrawal.
• Your missing church.
• Your bad choices.
• Your disobedience.
• Your playing with fire.
• Your choice of questionable friends.
• Your criticisms of godliness and standards.
• Your lack of prayer.
• Your lack of worship.
• Your leaving immediately after church.
• Your giving money to everything but God.
• Your refusal to pay tithes.
• Your unresponsiveness to preaching.
• Your lack of involvement to church functions and workdays.
• Your influence on others.
• Your marriage problems.

Is It The Lack Of Money For The Church?

• Church payments coming due, knowing his name is on the line.
• The utility bills.
• How to pay the evangelist.
• Wondering why all the saints won’t pay tithes.

Is It The Lack Of Money For Himself?

• Deciding whether to get a second job or resign.
• Wondering how he will be able to pay his bills.

Is It The Consequences Of Preaching Holiness?

• What will happen if he preaches holiness from the pulpit?
• What will happen if he enforces it?
• What will happen if he doesn’t?
• Why would people who want the Holy Ghost not want to be holy?

Is It Staff Members Who Are Out Of Line?

• They are unproductive.
• They have to be told what to do continually and followed up on.
• They mainly create more problems than they do good.
• They think they own the position.
• They think they are the steward of the church finances and not the pastor.
• They divulge sensitive information to others.
• They will get hurt and offended if replaced.

Is It The Church Members Who Leave?

• Every pastor asks himself what else could he have done?
• Every pastor takes it personal.
• Every pastor wonders who will go with them.

Is It Church Members Who Are Offended?

• Those who wont stop fighting.
• Those who are habitually offended.
• Those who stay home to show their disapproval.

Is It Trying To Pastor A Church That Resists Revival?

• A church that is content with church as usual and will not push itself toward revival.
• A church that has lost a spirit of prayer.
• A church that lost its spirit of worship.
• A church that lets the praise singers do the worship for them.
• A church that lets the same six or seven worship in the audience.
• A church that won’t witness.
• A church that is cliquish.
• A church that won’t rally behind the pastor.
• A church that never catches the pastor’s vision.
• A church that is dead.

Things You Can Do To Help Your Pastor Sleep Better At Night!

• Pray through.
• Love your brother.
• Pay your tithes.
• Worship with all your heart.
• Come early for prayer.
• Get involved in church.
• Become a soul winner.
• Make yourself available.
• Give your heart to God.
• Give your hand to your pastor.
• Verbalize your support to him.
• Tell him you love him, and then show it.
• Pray for him.