Seven Reasons Why It Is Difficult Leading People In Church

By Bishop Dag Heward-Mills

I want to show you why it is such a burden to pastor people.

1.     PEOPLE ARE BY NATURE UNGRATEFUL AND FORGETFUL

…in the last days… men shall be… unthankful… 2 Timothy 3:1,2

You can notice ungratefulness in people by the way they complain. Moses led the Israelites out of bondage and slavery and yet they murmured and complained bitterly against him. Aaron even had to make a golden calf to calm them down.

When something minute goes wrong, you may be surprised at the actions of people you have ministered to. Some easily forget what you have done for them, especially since the things that a pastor does are not always tangible but spiritual. Most tend to think that the pastor has done nothing for them. Others go a step further and commit evil towards you after you have been a blessing to them. Don’t be shocked!

The prophet Jeremiah experienced the same thing from his people. He said,

Shall evil be recompensed for good? Jeremiah 18:20a

Once a pastor of another denomination told me us a very disturbing story. He said that he was surprised when one of his church members came to his house one night to assault him. He couldn’t believe that this young man whom he had led to Christ, trained up in the Lord, blessed his marriage and helped him through various crises would attack him in that manner.

Dear friend, do not be surprised! Do not expect gratitude from man, expect your rewards from God. Hezekiah was blessed. But he did not “render again”. That means he did not show gratitude for all the blessings he had received.

But Hezekiah RENDERED NOT AGAIN according to the benefit done unto him…

2 Chronicles 32:25

2.     PEOPLE WILL BETRAY YOU

Though Judas walked and ministered with Jesus for three years, he eventually betrayed him for a small amount of money.

Betrayal is a part of ministry. It is also a part of life. If you have yet to experience betrayal, I can assure you that you will. The disturbing thing about betrayal is that it is done by people who are supposedly close to you.

You are not greater than your master, Jesus! The fact that someone may one day betray you may make it very difficult for you to happily interact and flow with the ministry. Look closely at the ministry of any great man of God. You will discover that they have all had their fair share of traitors. All of this contributes to the burden and difficulty of ministry.

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 41:9

3.     PEOPLE ARE WICKED

Alexander, the Coppersmith did Paul a lot of harm in his ministry.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works. 2 Timothy 4:14

I have experienced wickedness from people who have lifted themselves up to fight and oppose me. There were times when my ministry and very existence have even become a source of work for such wicked individuals. The work being fighting, slandering and that of opposition without my existence, I think some people may not have a job to do.

If you are not resolute in ministry, you could easily decide to leave the harassment’s behind you and move on to a more peaceful existence in some secular job.

4.     PEOPLE CAN ABANDON YOU SUDDENLY

Paul had experienced sudden desertions by some of his colleagues, like Demas. I remember one young man whom I trained.

He was about to take up an important position in the ministry that we had been preparing for over a year. On the day he was to fill the position, he suddenly informed me that he was leaving the country. I couldn’t believe my ears! All of our months of preparation meant nothing to him. He just abandoned ship without notice. These experiences are all part of the ministry. Abandonment also occurred under the ministry of Apostle Paul.

For Demas hath forsaken me… 2 Timothy 4:10

5.     PEOPLE ARE EQUALIZERS, DISRESPECTFUL AND IMPUDENT

And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses… Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? HATH HE NOT SPOKEN ALSO BY US? Numbers 12:2

Miriam and Aaron (the closest assistants and closest relatives) were now speaking against Moses. They most probably said these things like, “God also speaks by us,” and “Are you the only one?” With time, familiarity enters the relationship and they now consider you as an equal. They tend to think, “We can all do it. What’s the big deal! You are no different from us!”

This is unfortunate, but real. People easily take you for granted. They murmur and complain against you, forgetting all that you have done for them. When they lose their temper, you will find church members speaking to you like a little child. “You Remind Me of My Father”

One church member approached her pastor after Sunday service. The pastor thought she was about to compliment him for the powerful sermon he just preached. She started, “Pastor, you know something? I felt I should tell you that you remind me of my father.” “Oh really!” the pastor responded. She said, “He was so full of himself and so are you!”

The pastor was taken aback but he had to smile and continue as though he had received a compliment. The church member was telling the pastor exactly what she thought of him.

Now Korah… and Dathan… and Abiram… and On… rose up before Moses… and said… WHEREFORE THEN LIFT YE UP YOURSELVES [Moses and Aaron] above the congregation of the Lord? Numbers 16:1-3

These rebels apparently thought that Moses felt he was too “big for his own shoes”.

6.     PEOPLE ARE DISOBEDIENT AND REBELLIOUS

Samuel confronted Saul and asked him why he had not obeyed the Lord fully. One of the difficult things every pastor will have to come to terms with is that in spite of all the good things you preach, many people are still disobedient and continue to live in sin.

I used to be amazed at the extent of spiritual rebellion found in the Body of Christ. But that is human nature.

Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord? 1 Samuel 15:19

7.     PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND AND DO NOT RESPOND

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and UNDERSTANDETH IT NOT…Matthew 13:19

Sometimes people do not understand the Word. Often they do not understand why you have to do fundraising. Consequently, many do not respond in giving. Many times, I have to explain that they are giving to build a nice church where they can have their weddings, baby dedications and other ceremonies.

Leading people who have all the above characteristics: ungratefulness, disloyalty, etc., are major problems.

One person cannot do it alone. The burden must be shared with others. Sharing the burden is hard work. The people will be angry with you as well. Every good or bad thing will come your way.