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Why Pastoring Is Harder Today Than in the Past

Pastoring

I’m sure that pastoring a church has always been difficult. At the same time, though, it seems much harder today than it was 35+ years ago when I started in full-time pastoral ministry.

Why Pastoring Is Harder Today Than in the Past

Here’s my assessment about why the task is harder:

1. The Internet has influenced church.

Church members now face pornography that comes to them. Angry members create websites to attack church leaders. Even pastors may be tempted to claim as their own somebody else’s material found on the Internet—especially when church members now compare our preaching to heroes they listen to on the world-wide web.

2. Church was more a part of the rhythm of life years ago.

Sure, many people in our community then weren’t church attenders. At the same time, though, many other folks just knew they were going to church because that’s what their family did. They were at least present to hear the Word.

3. “The Bible says” no longer means much.

I can remember when few people openly questioned the authority of the Word, even if they didn’t always follow it. Now, we often have to first explain why we believe the Word at all.