Comments on: Fat Sick Pastors

By: Quilenda

Quilenda — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 05:03:46 +0000

They are human; subject to the same circumstances as everyone else. Just pray for them as well as everyone else. THX

By: Vickie Redmond

Vickie Redmond — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 02:56:09 +0000

hello,

so i am trying something new to get out of this behavirol rut. i am to picture what would be different if i had allready acheuved my goal. how would my life change and then write it down like everything that would be different. the hope is that God can work in this medditation expereiment to show me what i might be resistant to at the root.

just a thought

hope it helps

vic

By: Ma. Alje Jilapon

Ma. Alje Jilapon — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:51:41 +0000

Fat, Sick Pastor is still better than “No Pastor” at all, or worse – False Teacher. Pastors are only humans, subject to sickness and everything, it is still “healthy” (in every sense of the word) to have one like that, so long as he teaches and behaves the truth that he professes.

By: Kevin Rogers

Kevin Rogers — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 13:50:21 +0000

I’m not qualified to guess at what God is working at in your life. I believe He is working in all of our lives at all times.

Depression is a great tool of Satan. Don’t be fooled. Your work for Christ has not gone unnoticed and you will be greatly rewarded in Heaven.

By: H

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:05:07 +0000

“The Best way to predict the future is to create it”-By Peter Drucker.

What ever your individual proffesion or purpose may be in this life, I would like you all to understand that when you die, you return back to the dust and your body is then useless unless your’e an organ donor.

All I’m saying is that your body is only vital on earth now, while you are alive, so care for it well. Your body is a gift for you to fullfill your earthly purpose. Make an active personal decision to change the future for those generations that will come after you. One more thing your life is not your own.

“Leave an inheritance of Health”
-By H.J. Robinson

By: anngie

anngie — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:42:00 +0000

One man cried out for help, yet he received several different responses that I believe can only add confusion. Every body has an opinon. however, when a man cries out to GOD for help–why can’t we just agree to pray with him and for him? our opinons are not necessary. it only matters what God has to say. So Jim, I will pray with you for your help.

In response to the article: there are some Pastors who completely run the show and are not comfortable turning over the reigns to an assistant for even a week in order to rest.shame on them for causing their own health to decline due to pride. Jesus said that he will give us rest.. because his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 16:20:42 +0000

Jim,I’m 48 and gave my life to the LORD when I was 21.I try to love the LORD with all my heart.It sounds to me like you love the LORD with all your heart soul mind and strength,thats why your going so hard.I feel this way because it happened to me.Years ago and recently,I felt like the LORD was calling me to be a pastor.He still might be and i’m praying about it.I was pushing extremely hard and I gotvery depressed,could’nt eat or sleep.I had to go in the hospital for 10 days.I really thought I was going to die.The LORD delivered me,and restored my joy,and peace.I feel like HE had to let this happen, to give me rest,and to teach to trust HIM more.Pray to HIM and ask him to help you slow down and rest.I’ll pray for you also brother.I love you.

By: Frank V.

Frank V. — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 14:57:06 +0000

It appears that some in this blog have overlooked the end of Jim’s plea. GOD please help me! I don’t want to be like this.

Do you think this will go unanswered?

By: Fred R

Fred R — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:06:11 +0000

I am glad to see this issue being addressed. There are a number of reasons for people being overweight. One is eating for comfort to compensate for stress. Another is eating the wrong foods (burgers and fries) frequently because scheduling to eat properly is difficult. I believe that pastors are more prone to both because of the demands church members place on them. As was stated above, taking regular time off is important. As to what Maria P. said, I think we should be cautious about determining whether someone should or should not be in ministry. Although I believe that there are many people pastoring churches that should not be, it is important to remember that the fact that Jim is having problems in certain areas of his life does not make him unfit to lead. It means that he is a sinner like the rest of us and does not have that area conquered. There are sins that should get a pastor removed, but I do not think that overeating and time management fit that category.

By: Veta

Veta — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:28:55 +0000

Jim, I am not a pastor but I have been a Christian for a long, long time. The problem is not food, and the problem is not lack of exercise, it is a spiritual problem. If you will get your focus on the Word and on pleasing Him, everything else will fall in line. I may be wrong, but it seems to me you are focused more on pleasing the congregation. Sermons are not conjured up by massive amounts of time but are spiritually given by time with God. That time comes while searching prayerfully in the Word, not just studying for a sermon.

Do you devote time to prayer? My pastor rises early and goes on long prayer walks. He gets a lot of his sermons or the highlights of his sermons during many of those prayer walks. We really don’t have an excuse for not exercising. Walking is a great time to commune with God and get focused on God and meditate on His Word. Carry a small recorder with you on those walks. God may speak something to your heart, and if you have a recorder, you can record what He says to you or record a scripture that comes to mind and look it up later.

Be transparent with your congregation. Let them know that you are working on your health and are disciplining your body. Ask them for their understanding so if you refuse to eat certain things when you visit, you can remind them and they will understand. If they don’t, that is their problem with God. Your hands are clean. Many times, you will displease people, but be pleasing to God. Remember Psalm 27. We are to offer ourselves a “living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God”,(Rom 12:1=2) NOT PEOPLE. Also read Heb. 12:1-2, I am sure you know the verse.

I do believe you are called to lead. People forget that pastors are still human and can begin to get bogged down and lose focus. The devil would love nothing more than to get you out of the position God called you to. If burnout starts to happen, exam your directional focus. Is it on the sermon, pleasing people or pleasing and focusing on God. Get your focus on Him and the sermons will not be a chore, but a result of your walk with God. Some will not like it but do not ever let them change your focus. God will lead you and direct you as to how to handle them in love.