If he is called you should be spiritually growing and becoming more and more healthy in your walk with Jesus. If he is called, then you should feel safe under his authority. If you would pray for your pastor more than criticize him, it will be better for you in the end. It’s been said to pastors: “Whether you are criticized or glorified, know this, you are not as bad as they say you are and you are not as great as they say you are.”ĭear flock, wherever you may be, I want to encourage you to be a blessing to “those who must give account for your souls in the day of Jesus Christ”. Many fall to pornography and sexual scandal, oddly enough, not for the desire for sex, but out of loneliness. Others leave because the price the family must pay is just too much. Many leave the ministry due to the fact that they can’t make ends meet. In this day and age, few pastors make it to the end. Remember, pastors are sheep as well and are in need of love and prayerful support. If the Christian survives daily by God’s grace, a pastor’s life requires even greater grace. Satan hates pastors and he never stops his attacks. In this day of overwhelming complexity and pressure, how much more ought the flock to be praying hard for those who “rule over them for their own soul’s sake”? Pastors have been divinely called to live for others, but that comes at a great cost as we are often tempted in areas that others are not exposed to. Yet the Lord is faithful and will never yoke us to anything that He will not supply the power for.Įven Paul himself had many times reached the place of deep discouragement and had often requested prayer. Pastors are required to maintain the spiritual health and well-being of themselves, their wives and children and those of the flock that the Lord has given them. For all of us, life is hard enough, but if you are a pastor who is called to care for the souls of others – that load can oftentimes feel unbearable. Many are in the ministry and many are in the pulpit, but for those men who are called to be a pastor, they are called to an impossible task. Last night I received word (which has now been made public) that one of our local senior pastors attempted suicide and is now on life support. Very few Christians will understand what I’m about to say, not because they can’t, but because they’re not a pastor. “MAN DOWN” – – are a couple of words that no one ever wants to hear. Thoughts from Pastor Jack Hibbs about Stoecklein’s Suicide To read this article in its entirety, go to “It wasn’t the miracle I was hoping for but he is now in heaven with his dad,” she said. She said Stoecklein suffered from depression and anxiety. “Last night, the love of my life, the father of my children and the pastor of our incredible church took his last breath and went to be with Jesus,” his wife Kayla wrote on her Instagram. The pastor left behind three young children and his wife. Inland Hills Lead Pastor Andrew Stoecklein died in the hospital Saturday after taking his own life Friday. (Philemon 4-7)Ī California church is grieving after their pastor committed suicide over the weekend. The same can be said about your spouse, children, fellow believer in your church, work place, etc. You will regret not doing so as you mature in your walk with Jesus, or when he is no longer around. However, these things are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall soon follow this life, when all the tears are wiped away by our precious Savior (Romans 8:18-19, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, Revelation 21:3-4).ĭo love and pray for your pastor and his family, whoever that may be, now or in the future. It is true that the calling of Pastor is not always a bed of roses, and sometimes brings great emotional suffering for various reasons that the sheep seldom realize or understand. On a personal level, I would also like to make clear that I am thankful to Jesus for the opportunity and privilege to serve the church (Jesus’ sheep) in these last days before His return. I am not endorsing all that is said here, especially as it pertains to Kayla’s letter (written in a time of unimaginable grief), but I think all of us can let the Holy Spirit speak to our heart about the what ifs in our own lives as we ponder what these people have written. In this handout I have included: the news article from CBN, Pastor Jack Hibbs’ (Calvary Chapel Chino Hills) thoughts that he posted on his facebook page when he heard of a “man down”, and a letter posted by Andrew’s wife, Kayla, describing what she would say to Andrew if she could. But I can join with millions of others in grieving for those who are affected by Pastor Andrew’s suicide. Note from Pastor Kevin Lea: I know nothing of this pastor, his church, family, or life.
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