I hope it was ok for me to be honest about some of the suckiness I’ve been feeling recently. Sometimes, I’ll read and hear what other pastors are writing or saying and I sometimes have doubts. Everything they say, do, or experience about their lives or their ministry seems to be perfect, amazing, and incredible…like totally…like 24/7…every day. That’s cool if it’s true.
I’m not like that. I have my share of stuff, frustrations, and pain. Of course, I don’t use the blogosphere to share alot of that stuff because it may hurt people but I don’t mind sharing – as honestly as I can – that sometimes, things suck. Simply, I’m okay with not always being okay.
The things I shared on my last post – When It Rains, It Pours – are stuff that sucked that I could share. The stuff I couldn’t share were the real sucky stuff. I don’t want to paint or portray that everything is perfect, beautiful, and rosy all the time. Because it’s not.
So, what does that mean for Quest? Nothing…except to say it’s far from a perfect church and I’m far from a perfect pastor.
I can’t speak for other churches and ministries. I can only speak for what God has chosen to do through the leadership and community at Quest… it’s pretty amazing. As a pastor, it’s tough to only hear the bad, negative, and critical stuff. So, it’s good, important, and healthy to take the opportunities to step back, soak in, and enjoy.
I still remember working as a custodian trying to make ends meet and wondering why Quest wasn’t getting started. I remember the 7 people that joined us for our first meeting. I remember several months of trying to get a dozen people to commit to our first community group. I remember being kicked out of the University District and not knowing where to go. I remember asking 40 people in the 6th month of our churchplant to help us raise $100,000 to help birth a non-profit and non-religious community cafe and music venue. I remember the frustration of having no other children at Quest besides our own and seeing nearly 70+ kids this past Sunday with another baby born yesterday at Quest and another due any minute. I remember the incredible Kingdom mindedness of our then landlords – Interbay Covenant Church – choosing to close down their 65 year old church, handing the entire property over to Quest, and joining our community. I remember and rejoice in the stories of women, men, and children seeking to live their lives for the glory and honor of Christ.
Lots of exciting things. Quest keeps growing. Community groups are growing. Excited about the three foundations: Churchplanting, Community Development, and Global Presence. We not only met our projected financial goals last year but exceeded it.
Blah blah blah.
I just want to make sure we don’t become a church that feels like we have so much to lose that we take a posture of “protecting our interests.” Quest began with a vision for faithful and prayerful risktaking and I pray that never changes.
Filed under: church, quest church, seattle
Much respect to you Pastor Eugene. I think its great that you can be honest when things don’t go as you wish they would.
“Everything they say, do, or experience about their lives or their ministry seems to be perfect, amazing, and incredible…like totally…like 24/7…every day. That’s cool if it’s true.”
I’d be really, really surprised if it is true. Sometimes, sure, All the time? Not likely. I don’t think that’s the way God works and that acting as if everything is going to always go great in your life and ministry because you’re a Christian gives people the wrong idea of what Christianity entails.
i was recently told by a good friend in the pastorate that “people were wanting to see leaders that were impeccable, and set apart from the rest of their congregants”…as a fellow pastor, i’ve found that i influence and have the ability to step into people’s lives more frequently and more freely when they don’t view me as “impeccable” but rather they know me as a Christ following God fearing man who sometimes says sh*t when he hits his thumb with a hammer…keep being who you are, you bring the best influence by being you
I respect your honesty P.E. and it’s one of the many things I appreciate about Quest. I’m very sorry you are in a suckith-o-plenty time. Jason and I will be praying.
P.E. -
My Son, my Daughters, my family and All of YOU my dear friends. I got a book and I’d like to share something that I find quite special.
Remember These Things…
Always keep your many interests -
they will keep you
constantly occupied
Always keep your positive outlook -
it will give you the energy to
accomplish great things
Always keep your determination -
it will give you the ability
to succeed in meeting your goals
Always keep your excitement
about whatever you do -
it will help you to have fun
Always keep your sense of humor -
it will allow you to
make mistakes and learn from them
Always keep your confidence -
it will allow you to take risks
and not be afraid of failure
Always keep your sensitivity -
it will help you to understand
and do something about
injustices in the world
As you continue to grow
in your own unique, wonderful way
always remember that
I am more proud of you
than ever before and
I love you
-Susan Polis Schutz
Great blog Eugene! A polished, perfect portrayal of faith leaves any observer feeling defeated. When good pastors are honest it gives hope of a God that is big enough to handle all of us… quirks, questions, and all.
Sure love what you are doing! You are an inspiration to me. Keep it up!
Paradoxes. How God loves paradoxes, and thrust us into them so that His grace is truly more than sufficient. To be strong when we are weak. To be perplexed, but not despairing. To be peaceful when life throws us a curve ball. To be joyful when we want to mourn. … So the list goes on. What we call the normal Christian life is for everyone, pastors included. Guess it is harder when pastors are put on a pedestal, that to be honest about themselves becomes really challenging – that they just the brother/sister next to another in the church. Not less human.
May His grace abound in you.
I completely appreciate your honesty. It’s good to be reminded that pastors and church leaders are not above needing prayer and support. For a long time, I came to church as a “taker”, thinking it was the sole duty of the church and its leaders to support me and grow me spiritually. And while Quest has done so much to uplift me on so many occasions, there is so much more value in coming to church as a “giver”, seeking ways I can uphold the body of Christ. It’s good to be reminded of the need for giving, praying, and strengthening. You will be in my prayers. Thank you again for your transparency.
PE,
I appreciate your honesty. Pastors who can’t be real scare me a bit
Yes! If the body doesn’t know what’s going on, how can it help?
props!
…and did you ever think this was a TEST that GOD is giving you???? Just to see how you will handle yourself and all that the TEST comes with…
Just a thought~
For the stuff that you feel is not appropriate to share in a place like this or in another group/public forum, do you have a friend who is not part of your group, and preferably who does not live nearby who you can talk to by e-mail, phone or whatever?
I have been this friend for several pastor friends. Since I’m not part of their church, and don’t live in their town, they can tell me stuff that they don’t feel they can tell anyone but their wife. The wife IS a good person to talk to, especially since since is probably familiar with the people and situations involved, but sometimes she is too close to look at the situation objectively. Sometimes she simply needs not to hear about every crappy thing happening.
If your confidant is local, you can sit down together. That is an advantage. The disadvantage is that they may know someone you are telling them about. It might be aunt Tillies’ neighbor or brother-in-law. Also, there is more chance that something you discuss with your confidant might get back to the church.
That last sentence brings up another point – Your confidant needs to score 100 on a scale of 1 to 100 on the ability to keep their mouth shut. It’s human nature to want to strangle someone today, and next month feel differently. If we tell our confidant today that we’d like to strangle old Mr. Jones, it may be best that he not find out next month that we felt that way today.
I am of the opinion that a lot of crap comes my way, your way, and most everyone’s way. Many pastors are in the unfortunate position of having to deal with their own crap, and lots of other people want the pastor to help them out with theirs, or at least hear about it. Unfortunately, I think this is a misunderstanding of the Scripture. No where does it say to dump all this on the pastor. It says to bear one another’s burdens – not give them all to the pastor.
Thanks for your honesty. I think the closer each of us goes toward the truth, the closer each of goes toward God. In your honesty, I think you help not only yourself, but the rest of us who listen, to go that much closer to God. Life is not perfect…it is beautiful in all it’s glorious mess.
I loved that you talked about the garbage. It’s not all good in life and when you fake it, you set the tone for having a fake church.
thanks for sharing and being authentic! as someone who has tended to look at the glass as half empty, i know it’s important to not lose sight of the blessings and answered prayers in my life. at the same time, there are moments when i end up wondering if i’m the only one who gets socked with some crappy things in life when those around me are only sharing their “perfect” lives of faith.