The call to ministry seems to always have a certain pressure that feels unique to vocational ministers. Nonetheless, as full-time ministry workers, we can be assured that Jesus Christ has already completed the victory both in our lives and in our professions.
Pastors, evangelists, missionaries, church administrators and anyone who has worked on a full-time basis (or sometimes even on a volunteer basis) for ministry will agree that the job title comes with a pressure that one cannot explain naturally. There can be many theories as to why this happens -- spiritual affliction, relationship expectations and such.
Whatever the reason is, full-time ministry workers can be assured that we do not need to carry the load alone. We serve a God who became man himself and labored in earthly ministry as well. Jesus knows the pains and troubles that you go through, and He has promised in Matthew 28:20 that He will be "with us until the very end of the age" as we continue to work on reaching and discipling followers of Jesus.
Here are five of the most common pressures that come with ministry.
Pressure on family. It's been said that when someone answers the call to full-time ministry, the whole family answers to the call. Often, a minister will have his or her spouse, children and even parents involved in ministering to others. This brings a heightened pressure, although we always understand that the family only comes in on a voluntary basis and nothing is truly required of them.
Spiritual warfare. The enemy has special eyes on those who labor to advance the kingdom of God. While all believers are threats to the devil, our spiritual afflicter knows that when He hits the shepherd, the sheep can more easily lose track of the way. But we can be assured that Jesus has defeated Satan once and for all.
Living with higher standards. Paul called the first overseers and elders in Titus 1:6 and in 1 Timothy 3:2 to be above reproach. Because we as ministers and spiritual leaders become earthly examples for people to follow as we follow the example of Christ and rely on His grace, a greater responsibility is given to us to live upright more often than we think we should.
Financial struggles. Contrary to popular opinion, the life of vocational ministry is one laden with financial problems. Most pastors, especially those of small churches, find it challenging to build a solid savings fund or even make ends meet.
Relationship tension. In any other profession, conflict at work can have little to no effect on a person's performance, but not so in ministry. A vocational minister is expected to be more responsible with their relationships.
With all these pressures, it's impossible to think that vocational ministers can live up to the standard of the call. But that's where God's grace through the finished work of Christ and the empowering of the Holy Spirit come into the picture. On our own, we vocational ministers are bound to fail, but as we rely on God's love and grace, He will sustain us.
