Hints and helps in pastoral theology by William S Plumer (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 10 (A minister's difficulties).
Now Plumer outlines the difficulties of being a minister.
The minister is troubled by:
(i) sinful passions;
(ii) being bound carefully to perform all relative duties required of other men;
(iii) being peculiarly liable to the attack of human and diabolical malice;
(iv) being cut off from many of the common and appointed means of spiritual comfort and edification;
(v) great danger of formality in performing ministerial duties;
(vi) pride;
(vii) studies that are not particularly friendly to a devotional frame of mind;
(viii) the weight of everlasting consequences hanging upon his performance;
(ix) daily intercourse with all kinds of people;
(x) discouragements.
A rather depressing chapter to read.
Thankfully Plumer gave some encouragement at the end: 'Nothing that has been said is designed to make the impression that the work of the ministry is not a good work. It is a good work in itself. It glorifies God. It saves men. It blesses society. It makes life bearable, eternity desirable, and heaven certain to all who believe the messages of mercy.'
The minister's life may indeed be temporarily painful, but it is achieving many eternal blessings.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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