Step it up.
If you’re stressed in your job as a pastor, it could very well be that you’re trying to be perfect.
Guess what.
You’re not.
Another danger: trying to not be criticized.
Guess what.
People will criticize you no matter what you do.
Check this out from Dr. Fredric Neuman:
Very often… people know very well they are in no danger of being fired, yet feel stress on the job anyway, often on a daily basis. It turns out that for most of them there are two underlying fears not immediately apparent that make them susceptible to stress under ordinary circumstances and that would affect them no matter what kind of work they would do:
1. The fear of making a mistake.
2. The fear of being criticized, or yelled at.
They start off feeling some sense of inadequacy, usually for reasons having to do with the way they were treated growing up.
Truth is… most of you reading this were hired for one reason: to lead.
So do it… lead!
If you need to grow a pair to do so, please do.
But don’t sit around worrying that someone might criticize you, fire you, or yell at you over your quest for perfection.
Stop worrying about being fired. And get on with the work God has called you to. It’s pretty stinkin’ important work.
[kick in the seat of the pants rant over]
Todd
this is the problem… many of pastors are afraid to be fired so they stray away from preaching what God instructs them to preach… many are comfortable of the lifestyle that their parishinors afford them… but we need more preachers today that has the spirit of the early church who weren’t affraid of the people or the consequences of preaching what God said preach… even if it causes one to loose their heads…
I haven’t pastored like I’m afraid to be fired and that is exactly what has happened to me–twice. I’ve always stood on God’s Word and would not have changed anything in either situation. I love the ministry and would love to serve in a church again. However, I to have financial obligations and I’ve received more encouragement and positive feedback working at one of the big box hardware stores than I ever did in ministry.