LEARN TO BE "ALONE"...

Pastoral ministry is shaped by the experiences you will have, these experiences will be achieved in community and many more of them when you are “alone”. Pastoral ministry is about being together, but it is also about being alone. And in this article I write a little about being “alone”.

I keep trying to understand what would be the reference of those who declare themselves called to shepherding when they have unrealistic expectations about the ministry.

The ministry is for those who decided to be a reference in the face of the greatest challenges anyone could face, through God's grace and mercy. It is strange that someone who is called to the ministry has not experienced some crises before. If you are called, be aware that you will face some crises necessary for your preparation.

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I don't want to put anyone off, but a dose of reality can make you more comfortable with what you consider to be pastoral ministry.

God calls people who have learned to be in community, but He uses much better those who have learned to be alone with Him.

God calls people who have learned to be in community, but He uses much better those who have learned to be alone with Him.

Of course, it would be better if, when the Master was in distress, the disciples did not sleep when they were supposed to be watching, but this did not happen by chance!

It's good to remember that crowds followed Jesus, and he knew how to communicate with crowds, but he also knew how to be alone.

Are you prepared for this? or Are you one of those people who live in dependence on crowds?

The number of discouraged pastors increases significantly every day, unfortunately during these last few years I have come into contact with some colleagues in this condition.

A common thing I observed was that they did not learn that they would be alone in some occasions and decisions, much less learned to enjoy the moment of solitude and even how to face loneliness.

“My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?”

Your life my friend must be your best sermon, the most eloquent, even if you feel abandoned.

Of course, it is an excellent opportunity to say that those who work together with God are even willing to accept the plan of being “abandoned”.

In this radical choice, I want you to stretch the rope to the maximum, to detect how much you have already reflected on it.

A humble and meek spirit will help you to be alone and accompanied, but for someone proud it is difficult to accept being alone. Because he idealized a ministry that only contemplated being with the crowd.

Without recognition the proud die but the humble grow.

Understand that learning to be alone is also a humbling lesson, and I must say how much of this happens in ministry, even if you don't want to, it will be part of your development.

The reality of all this is that you will never be alone, without “the others”, but God will always be with you. It will be “forsaken” by some, but never by Jesus Christ. Learn then to be without "the others" when that happens.

Develop "muscles in emotions", because you are also a soul!

• Jacob thought he was alone, but he wasn't;

• Elijah thought he was alone in the cave, but he wasn't;

• The Psalmist thought he was alone, but he wasn't...

Your disposition needs to be active to transform loneliness into solitude, abandonment into a new encounter, the disappointing end into a contagious new beginning, disappointment into prayer, heartache into forgiveness.

I have enjoyed the beauty of the community, the beautiful worship songs with the congregation, the home meetings, and so many other activities that we do together.

I love shepherding, I don't see myself doing anything else, but I want you to walk in this direction knowing that the ministry involves much more than being with “others”, the essential thing is knowing how to be “alone” with and in Christ many times.

May it help you to perfect what you have received!

Lucas P. Anunciação is founder of ETC, president pastor at Igreja Batista Vila in Brazil. He serves as executive director of the Association of Friends of Pastoral (Edições AAMP), dedicated to pastoral mentoring. Author of devotionals in the Youversion Bible. Graduated in Theology and post-graduated in Theology and Biblical Interpretation. Married for 18 years to Josiane Venâncio and father of Davi.

Follow the author Instagram @prlucasanunciacao