Recently, I came across an interesting surprise. I've been involved in trainings of Bible study and exegetical study for nearly a decade. However, my latest program attracted a group of veteran pastors.
They serve with meager pay. Many of whom have no income at all. They juggle side jobs to make ends meet and manage household responsibilities. Some are still pursuing further theological education. As they constantly work hard for years, many are now in poor health. What is more extraordinary is that they have not only offered up their own lives in service to the Lord but also encouraged their children to follow in their footsteps.
Normally, the participants in my programs are young believers. This time, however, out of ten participants who signed up, most were senior ministers who have served the church for decades. During the session of self-introduction at our first online meeting, I was impressed by their humble and gentle manner, even though they have 20 to 30 years of ministry experience, and none of them was late for the occasion.
During the sharing session in which we talked about challenges in Bible study and preaching ministry, two ministers broke down in tears. What moved me deeply was that their struggles were not about hermeneutics or sermon preparation, but about serious health issues, family responsibilities, and the emotional toll of trying to balance everything. They felt cruel to turn down requests for help, even if it meant sacrificing relaxation or quality time with their families. They embodied Jesus' sacrificial love yet found themselves drained, weary, and overwhelmed.
As I listened, I was filled with sorrow and respect. Needless to say, they have had unthinkable hardships laboring for decades. I know they are not alone. Many such unsung veteran ministers have weathered countless storms, faithfully persevering. That is why I feel compelled to urge the body of Christ: we truly should care for our elderly pastors. They are in urgent need of spiritual and personal care.
Often, when we speak of "pastoral care," we think of pastors caring for congregants. However, we forget Jesus' command: "Love one another as I have loved you. This is my commandment." (John 15:12)
In private conversations and prayer meetings, I realized that these senior pastors have never lost their original calling. However, without renewal, they have become exhausted. Take Sister S, for instance, she travels hundreds of kilometers for the ministry while raising three children. The few hundred yuan as her monthly church stipend is barely enough to cover family expenses. Her husband often complains that she is absent from home. Not long ago, she was in a car accident while she was on the way to serve. She has got broken ribs and has yet to fully recover. She and two of her children now have depression. Yet, others receive no church income at all. They have full-time jobs during the day, serve the church in the evenings, and care for their families, living under immense strain.
After our first online meeting, we prayed together, seeking God's wisdom to help these ministers balance health, family, and ministry. Many enrolled in seminary courses like "Self-Pastoring for Ministers" to "recharge" (a Chinese slang meaning to regain energy, translator's note), and reset their spiritual rhythms. They came to understand their human limits. They realized that while sacrificial ministry may seem noble, it can damage both family and faith without balance. They acknowledged how distorted thinking can hide behind seemingly "normal" actions, and how even younger pastors today are increasingly facing the same pressures.
As they began to reflect on their relationship with God's love, a new question emerged: How can we become healthy ministers? We decided to restart the whole thing by focusing on Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart." In this batch of the study programs, with guidance from our theological instructors, the veteran ministers took time to reflect. They realized that even if they knew the Bible well and preached sound doctrine, an unhealthy inner life still called for transformation. They came to see the importance of acknowledging limits in oneself, recognizing that the church can function without them, allowing themselves to make mistakes, and confronting the perfectionism that had crept into their ministry, all to reevaluate their lives with humility and faith.
We began encouraging simple steps of self-care: daily quiet time with God through the Bible and prayer; regular physical exercise; personal space and hobbies; enjoying nature and good food; prioritizing quality time with family and friends; and regular emotional check-ins to process stress.
In this special "Veteran Ministers Cohort," we divided the month into four sessions: two hours of training each week. Each month ended with a "Life Salon", which was designed with warmth and creativity: a tea and snack party where they could vent about life and ministry burdens, exchange insights, pray for one another, perform skits, and have group meditation. Through it all, we encouraged the veteran ministers to reorder their lives based on God's priorities in the following sequence: first, nurture their relationship with God; then attend to their own physical and emotional well-being and care for their families; and last, serve the church.
In addition, we sincerely invite the wider Christian community to stand in the gap for these elder pastors. Pray for them. Support them. We encourage church leaders and congregants alike to extend real care for pastors. This can take many forms: create financial aid or "love funds"; provide personal and spiritual mentorship; visit their families; host retreats to renew their body and soul; reduce their ministry workload; offer mental health support; and contribute to their social insurance or retirement plans.
As we journey together on the road to the eternal Kingdom, may we heed our Lord's command to "love one another." Let us support each other, walk shoulder to shoulder, and warm one another with God's love. In doing so, we will journey farther, firmer, and shine more brightly for the glory of His name.
Originally published by the Gospel Times
- Edited by Karen Luo and translated by Charlie Li
