Pastors in Peril

There were many pastors that I knew from the group of churches I was a part of for 16 years. They are some of the finest men you would ever want to meet. These guys would be characterized as humble, fullof character, credible, caring, doctrinally sound, sacrificial, and gifted. I could go on. It is with a great deal of sadness I tell you many of these men were disposed of by the highest level of leadership within this ministry during my 16-year tenure. Or, they weren’t supported when Absalom’s came in and wreaked havoc swaying impressionable people causing a mutiny.

Whenever there was something the leader/leaders of the ministry didn’t like, (usually had nothing to do with the man’s character) they would find any number of bogus reasons to get rid of them. They used the “you’re no longer sufficiently gifted” one on me. There were a few regular themes for disposing of an unwanted pastor. The one used on me was a rather popular trend. What does that mean anyway? You mean me? The guy who planted the church from nothing except the few dear families that came with me? You mean after building the church into a solid thriving and caring community of believers no longer gifted? In cases where character was referenced, it was usually because the standard was in large part unattainable. It was interesting when one guy was disciplined for a certain issue, and another guy wasn’t with the same circumstnces. Seemed rather convenient. The behind-the-scenes reason seemed to center around control, taking ownership of a local church, finances, personality clashes, etc.

What happens to these pastors? Where do they go? What do they do for a living? Most are left in the dust perplexed and blindsided. These banishing’s usually came as a shock to them. I know there are other good pastors, both men and women from other church groups that have experienced the same thing.

Let me explain what happened to me which is characteristic of many of these good folks. I felt as if I was pierced through my heart. Betrayed and abandoned. Deserted and left for dead. I had given my entire life from the age of 20 to the ministry. It meant a great deal of sacrifice. Not only for me, but for my wife and children as well. But we counted the cost and gladly served God in his calling. The last thing we thought would happen was to be deserted because of an out-of-control leadership team of the movement. I have spoken to many other former pastors who feel the same way.

Where are these shepherds and their families now? Many of them are crushed. Feeling abandoned and deeply hurting. That’s not all. When a person spends their entire life devoting themselves to ministry and caring for God’s people, it usually means they do not have a resume that is in demand in corporate America. Meaning not only did they sacrifice financially while in the ministry, (most pastors could have made a lot more in a career) but now they are financially broke. Additionally, most of them have nothing for retirement.

Typically, when the shocking news came that the master of the chess board wanted to get rid of someone, there wasn’t much notice, and even worse, hardly any consideration of what this pastor will live on. Maybe a few weeks or months severance at best? Sometimes nothing. I got a few months. In addition, it was a big no for a pastor’s wife to work. So, there was no income there either. The sad truth is many of these fine men I used to know have not only struggled emotionally and spiritually, but financially as well. Some I know now live in places that most wouldn’t live. Some must live with their children. This sickens me! It’s not that living in these circumstances is somehow “less than.” It’s that comparatively speaking, these men and their families should be taken care of. But after many years of war-torn life and sacrifice, they have nothing left in the tank to make it.

Fortunately for me, I have always been an entrepreneur. So, I got out and hustled starting a business. I had to work a ton of hours. But most guys, well, it just makes me angry. Pastors in peril is a real thing. Many of them don’t complain openly. They handle their circumstances much better than I do.

I know one guy who is a renowned extremely gifted man. He is a recognized worship leader, pastor, counselor, gifted in productions, and a dear friend. He works a demanding full-time job, has a part time position in a church as a worship pastor, teaches music and voice lessons, and is taking a full-time load in post grad studies to try and support his family without having to work 80 hours per week. He doesn’t have time to breath. I applaud and admire him. The point is, he’s fortunate. His extreme gifting has made a way for him. Others, who were good pastors, don’t have this option.

There are some I know that have now made the ministry a vocation. Not like they feel called to what they’re doing. They have gone the institutional route because they can do nothing else. These men are not ultimately happy doing this, but it’s what they can do to support their family. Pastoring has now become a job. What a horrible indictment on anyone who causes this. I don’t fault these men one bit. Until you find yourself in your 40’s 50’s, or even 60’s in this position, there is no way to comprehend their struggles.

Good people who have attended a church like this group of churches are hurting all over by the thousands. But what really makes me angry, are the pastors and former leaders who were cut off at the knees. Please forgive my rant. But I do not apologize for speaking out on behalf of these men. There are many things that happened in this network of churches that is shameful. But one of the most shocking, is the indictment of Pastors in Peril.