Anecdotal accounts tell me that Singapore pastors do overwork. Their minds are engaged perpetually on preaching and church ministry and problems. It even affects their family life. Even while physically present they could be emotionally absent from home. Rick Warren (Saddleback Community Church) warns pastors against overwork in the ministry.“My experience is pastors tend to overwork when they assume extra hours make them more effective in ministry. That’s simply not true, and this misguided notion can actually keep others in your church from developing into mature Christian leaders. It is human nature but it isn’t the way God wants us to operate. It turns your ministry into one of those ‘whack-a-mole’ games. The moment you whack down one problem, another one pops up. It’s never ending.” Church leaders are to heed the apostle Paul’s imperative in Ephesians 4:12 to equip others to do the ministry. Pastors are to equip members to find their God-given gifts and ministry, so that everyone can be blessed and the pastor can “spend more time with family and with God, time that is necessary to keep your congregation pressing forward with purpose.” (The Christian Post)
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by Steven Sim
25 Apr 2010 at 00:12
I think you are overworked! So much so you missed a visit from a Msian friend when he was in Sg. :O)
by blogpastor
25 Apr 2010 at 17:54
Hi Steven Sim,
! Or are you posted to the capital?
Yes we missed meeting this time round. One day I’ll go visit you in Butterworth
by Finished Work
25 Apr 2010 at 11:11
Rest for the Weary – Matthew 11:25-29
25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
27″All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28″Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
by blogpastor
25 Apr 2010 at 17:54
Hi Finishedwork,
Yes these are good promises for all overworked pastors and the people of God, especially Singaporeans.
by Stillhaventfound
25 Apr 2010 at 22:55
Don’t you reckon that almost every Singaporean is over-worked, let alone Singapore pastors? And of course not just in Singapore but perhaps in most big cities. That’s today’s reality isn’t it?
by blogpastor
26 Apr 2010 at 02:39
Hi Stillhaventfound, We can learn from the Malays and the priority they give to community and family.
by Timothy
26 Apr 2010 at 05:51
I chance upon this blog entry and would like to comment.
Pastors in Singapore are having it good. Some of us work from Mondays to Saturdays and on Sundays we are also expected to serve in the church. On Mondays, they have one full day off but how many of us can have a day on our own with our family.
They do not have to face ‘persecution’ as compared to their counterparts in other parts of the world and may even ‘persecute’ their own.
Where were they when there is a need to make a stand and provide leadership. Many know how to pronounce spiritual blessings but where is the practical help.
So I do not agree that pastors are over worked but off course you are free to disagree and I have no problem with that!
by blogpastor
26 Apr 2010 at 20:47
Hi Timothy,
Many pastors work the equivalent hours an average Singapore white collar worker would work. Besides that they also have additional work outside the office and unrecorded work at home.
Many laypeople I know work a five day week.
Pastors who once were active layleaders tell me that it is different when one moves from active volunteerism into full time pastoral leadership. The weight, burden and expectations of people are different.
Just as there are exceptions to overworked laypeople ( I hate this term), so there are with pastors too.
Blessed the pastor who has time for family and other things, for what is success at church if the home is a disaster area. Such a pastor serves his people better by leading by example.
by Finished Work
26 Apr 2010 at 22:04
Dear beloved pastor of Jesus,
You missed the point, “″Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Also, even Isaiah saw that, “Isaiah 40:30-31 (New International Version)
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
So it is not about your advanced age nor youth, but those who are “weary and burdened”.
Rest in the Lord and your youth will be renewed like an eagle.
Hebrews 4:10
for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.
by blogpastor
27 Apr 2010 at 19:39
Hi Finished Work,
For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (Col 1:29)
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face…(Col 2:1)
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.(1 Cor 15:10)
Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?(1 Cor 11: 23-29)
by Finished Work
27 Apr 2010 at 23:08
Dear beloved pastor whom Jesus loves,
Glad you point me to the letters of St Paul, who was the greatest grace preacher.
One primary reason for the letter he wrote to Colossian church was that they are falling back to traditions and religion.
That’s why he struggled.
I felt this same struggle within you, also.
Do you know why Paul wrote half the new testatment whereas the other 12 disciples of Jesus wrote lesser even you combined their books together.
There must have many treasures and relevations hidden in Paul letters, all that reveal the beautiful finished work of our Lord Jesus.
Just let it go and preach the goodness of Jesus and see your life take-off into an exciting era.
PREACH PURE GRACE WHICH IS THE TRUE GOSPEL.
GRACE AND TRUTH IS ONE PERSON THAT IS JESUS CHRIST.
by bonsoir
04 May 2010 at 23:10
hey finished work,
interesting….are u also from NCC?
Shalom…
by finishedwork
05 May 2010 at 07:33
dear bonsoir,
yes, I am.
come to Expo this Sunday for the 20-47 service and be blessed.
by bonsoir
07 May 2010 at 08:51
oh…it’s pastor’s birthday….haha…i left NCC in 2002, came back 1st Jan 2008 as my wife (and her entire family side except forolder bro) came to Christ….all in? 7 members over 7 years! hahaha….
but i’ve not been to the Rock for a long time, normally would just go to gallery west to “avoid” the crowds….
Hey, did u know that church growth was actually due to alot of members from different places of worship (churches) coming over to NCC due to “blessings” program with 1 north?
Alamak…i find that no true relationship leh, visited one of their caregroup recently, the careleader also basically “mouth” slogans and does not “know” how to pray cos she even declared “the 38 stripes on your back” had given us life…. kekeke….
Shalom Finished work, perhaps we can touch base one day over tea?
No expectations man…
cheers
by Finished Work
08 May 2010 at 21:21
Dear bonsoir,
7 is for rest.
Restful increase for 2010!
Those from different places of worship (churches), came to NCC to check us out ended never ‘check-out’ and remain in NCC!
God’s will is always for you but according to your faithful!
Amen!