This morning the reality of pastoral life hit home with me again smack in the face as I woke up to Mary Jo screaming at 6:42am this morning as a good friend of mine, Sam Pascoe Pastor of Grace Anglican Church in Orange Park’s face was plastered on the newcast because he had fallen in sin. It also made the front page of the Jacksonville Times Union.
I must say that I am pretty much devastated. I have been through this a number of times in past congregations but I don’t know that it ever gets any easier. I was really beginning to develop a relationship with Sam, we were starting to have coffee every other tuesday morning. To see him fall is just incredibly sad.
The following is semi-unrelated to above, but what is really on my heart.
I have only been in ministry for about 4 years. I have been told the average length of time for a pastor in ministry is like 3 years. I must be honest and say that I realize why. The enemy puts a huge, huge target on the back of those who reach out to make a difference. He attacks our families, our children, our churches, etc. Whats worse is most of the time he does it through friends.. Friendly fire is the absolute worst.
I would encourage everyone to be in fervent prayer for your pastors. Lift them up, encourage them, help them, resource them, love on them and their families, cover, protect, challenge, hold accountable.. Pastors need you to have their backs and pastors need to have eachothers back.
enough said.. I am bummed out today.. whew…
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