Thrive_Autumn 2019 digital issue

Autumn 2019
PRAYING FOR THE
SPIRITUAL
CARE OF OUR
SPIRITUAL LEADERS
by Steve Jones
When my wife and I signed the papers on our first life insurance policy, the insurance agent handed me a urine specimen
bottle and asked me to fill it up. He did not hand my wife a bottle. I asked why just me? In a matter of fact way
he mentioned that my wife was a nurse, and I was a pastor. I was considered “high risk”! Those were his words. I was 26
years old at that time.
Famed leadership guru, Peter Drucker, once said, “not taking into account the vice president’s job, the most difficult jobs in
North America are: a university president, an urban hospital administrator, and a local church pastor.”
THE FIRST WORD
I was surprised the first time I read that a couple of decades ago. However, I do not think it is any easier today being a local
church pastor. In fact, it is becoming even more complex. One well-known leader once said, “most people have no idea how
difficult it is to run a church.” The local church is likely one of the most leadership-intensive enterprises in society today.
The work is building and redeeming lives, an intangible process. Church leaders rarely know when an outcome has actually
been accomplished.
“NOT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE VICE PRESIDENT’S JOB, THE MOST DIFFICULT
A UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT, AN URBAN HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR, AND A LOCAL