Why do church leaders feel guilty? Pastors and their spouses often share the same reasons for these feelings—and some reasons are unique to one another. How can they escape the spiral of guilty feelings and see that nagging sense of guilt for what it really is?
Adam Mason is a biblical counselor at Houston’s First who specializes in serving ministry couples. Listen to his conversation with Ben and Lynley as he unpacks what’s really behind those feelings and points to the pathway of true freedom from bondage and expectations placed on leaders.
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Quotes:
“Because of social media, any mistake—any slip—on the part of the pastor is immediately known by a large group of individuals.”
“Less than one-third of pastors said they had a daily quiet time with the Lord seven days a week. … It’s concerning because of the reality that they’re not taking in as much as they’re giving out. They’re not doing ministry from overflow and only from deficit.”
“When Christians think about guilt, what emerges is a misunderstanding of conviction.”
“The ‘feeling’ of guilt comes from a self-obsessed sense that we’re not meeting expectations for ourselves.”
“Guilt without conviction is bondage.”
“All of these expectations feed into … these ‘oughts’ that have nothing to do with walking with God in righteousness. It’s all people-pleasing or seeking to elevate ourselves.”
“We’re making other people’s opinions of us an idol.”
“The single most common accusation is, ‘I’m am imposter.'”
“The pastor’s wife feels she is in a fish bowl. … She feels guilty asking for more from her husband because he has more than he can handle. She can’t turn to other ladies in the church because she’s been betrayed. She’s walking this alone.”
Links:
Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-mason-5446034/
Learn more about Adam: https://houstonsfirst.org/people/adam-mason
Show Credits:
Executive Producer: Joy Allmond
Produced and Edited by: Angie Elkins Media
Original Music by: Robert Elkins
Art Work by: Cameron Spooner