Pastors: one year in and struggling?

Am I the only one to notice that there seems to be such a thing as a 'first year dive’? It may be my imagination, but I think there's something to it.

I have a number of friends and know of several others who've got about one year in to a first position of responsibility – where you’re the senior pastor or vicar – and suddenly it hits them.

This is an enormously responsible role. And it’s far too big for me. I can’t do it all, so what should I do, and not do? It all seems to be down to me now. How do you cope?

Some, sadly, don’t. Others struggle on silently for a bit wondering why they’re finding it all a bit too much, and then emerge from the sludge, muddied but ready to carry on, somehow.

A common struggle

Does that sound at all familiar? I suspect it’s more common than we know, because more of us struggle a year-in than are willing to let on. If you’re early on in a first position of responsibility and it all gets a bit too much, don’t be surprised, and don’t think you’re the only one. If it hasn’t happened yet, it may not happen to you, so be thankful, and don’t ‘wish it on’.

But if this is you, and you’re thinking ‘Aargh this job is impossible!’, you’re dead right. But in the end it’s not actually up to you. Jesus said 'I will build my church', so don’t be afraid to stand back and let Him do it. And you’re not alone; there will be others who’ve felt exactly the same as you do. Remember this as you struggle to get ready for next Sunday: the Lord Jesus is your greatest cheerleader, however rubbish you’re feeling this morning.

And for those who are a little further down the lane, be aware that for some younger or newer friends and colleagues, this may become an awkward reality. It is, after all, just a bit embarrassing. Well, it shouldn’t really be embarrassing, but many might find it so. Might you possibly raise it with a newer minister you know and if necessary just be there for them? Offer a decent coffee and a good chat? Or more likely quite a few decent coffees and good chats, with offers to help to lighten the load for a bit, like taking on a few Sunday mornings if you can be free yourself.

And if your senior pastor is relatively new, settled in but perhaps not quite themselves these last couple of weeks, maybe you could be a little more aware of the pressures and stresses of the role, and make sure (s)he is doing ok? We pastor our pastors, and you, whoever you are, may just be the person to gently ask that oh so important question: 'How have you been doing recently?'