When I hear that 1500 pastors leave full-time ministry every year in the US, and never return to church, I realize there is a problem. Something in the model of how we do church, and/or in how pastors are doing ministry is broken. After 21 years of ministry I too have had a teste of this reality, and am continually reminded of my need to keep it real with God, my family and my church in order to help keep my heart and faith healthy. I don't pretend to have it all together; I admit that I don't get this right all the time but it is my desire to keep pursuing what it means to be both spiritually and emotionally healthy. 

As I consider what it means to have congruence in these two areas, I think about this man's story. For anyone desiring to have healthy expectations concerning their pastor, this is a must see video clip. It is called "Courageous Calling".

Here's a taste of a few statements he makes in his story.

"I'm convinced that there's a problem with pastoral culture and that the problem is systemic. We have constructed a pastoral culture that can't work. It drives pastors into hiding...we allow (seminary) students to hold the transforming Word of God quite a part from our own hearts and lives."

Here's the link. http://vimeo.com/49022805