I am utterly weak and unqualified to be a pastor.
My leadership is ruled more by timidity than boldness. My actions often derive from a desire to please people rather than God. The motivation behind my preaching springs from a desire for the praise of man rather than the affirmations of the Father… far more than I’d like to admit.
I stress the need for community while drowning in isolation. I proclaim the importance of confession while remaining silent about my own sin. Each Sunday, I exhort people with the message that God loves broken people… while practically denying the same message for my own life.
In short, I am broken.
In my own mind, sin is often a greater delicacy than the glory of God. I sink my teeth into this disgusting, mold-covered appetizer while believing the lie that it offers a greater freedom than obedience to Jesus.
I shared some of these realities with my church recently. I’ve always thought only weak, needy, and emotionally sick people need to see a professional counselor on a regular basis.
I still believe this.
I just realized that I also fall into this category.
I have started meeting with a professional Christian therapist at Sioux Falls Psychological Services in order to pursue Christ-centered wholeness. I debated whether or not to share this with people because it would reveal the illusion of my perfection. It was into this internal argument that the Holy Spirit resounded the paradoxical words of the Apostle Paul:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9
I don’t have all the answers. People come to me on a regular basis expecting counseling… not realizing that I am utterly aware of how inadequate I am to provide it for them.
Pastor – the Gospel you proclaim is for you.
Our identity isn’t found in the mask of perfection we wear on Sundays. Our righteousness doesn’t flow from the weekly attendance or yearly budget at our churches. Jesus – the only Perfect One to ever live – willingly subjected Himself to brutal torture and crucifixion for the wrath that we justly deserve. This same Jesus resurrected from the grave – offering eternal life, forgiveness, and a foreign righteousness to all who come to Him by faith.
Jesus lived the perfect life we could not live… died the death we deserve to die… and rose from the dead for our justification.
There is a Great Physician that skillfully applies healing salve to the wounds of his people – even pastors. It’s okay to not be okay.
Tyler Ramsbey 
My brother. You’re not weird or unusual, you’re just being honest about the struggle with sin that we all have.
I wish every pastor would be that honest.
I’m not qualified to speak to whether or not you should be a pastor. That’s entirely the business of you and God exclusively.
But man, it doesn’t matter what role/title you hold in the body of Christ. Is the eye greater than the foot?
So don’t let your identity and worth be attached to some position.
We’re all screw ups brother.
If I can only impart one thing to you, let it be this…
Christ is your identity; not you. And He loves you, and His love for you isn’t connected to your performance.
Your buddy,
Lee
Thanks for the encouragement, Lee! I fully believe that God has called me to be a pastor – at least for this season of life – even in my brokenness. God uses the weak to accomplish His purposes!
You are just the kind of person God uses! Thank you for being open to God’s leadings even when it isn’t comfortable. You are a blessing to many!
Just saw that you left a comment. Thank you so much for the encouragement! It’s been an honor to be on this journey in Garretson with you & the rest of your family!
Praying for you. I’ve only read a few of your posts here, but I can tell that your heart is for sharing the love of God with people. We all need help at one time or another. I think it’s a sign of strength to ask for help.
Thank you for reading those posts and leaving a comment! I agree. I have learned through the process that it takes more strength to admit one’s weakness and ask for help then it does to pretend like everything is okay!