Endure Hardship: Suffering in the Ministry, Expectations of Pastoral Trainees in the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa

Abstract

Many pastors do not complete a lifetime of ministry. This research seeks to contribute to the discussion that exists around the reasons for this phenomenon. It attempted to understand the disconnect that exists between the New Testament’s emphasis on suffering and its place in the thinking, attitudes and expectations of pastoral trainees and trainers in the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa (REACH-SA).The research began with a theological reflection on the place of suffering in the teaching of Jesus and the thought of the New Testament writers. Suffering was found to permeate the New Testament understanding of the Christian life and especially the task of pastoral ministry. Suffering is built into the call of discipleship and culminates in the Pauline charge to Timothy to endure hardship.The research then reviewed the literature that seeks to understand the problem of pastors leaving ministry. The factors that predominate are summarised under the four headings of faith, character, conflict and expectations. Amongst the expectations of pastors is their own personal theodicy –their expectations with respect to evil and suffering.The literature was reviewed on the problem of suffering,focusing in on the suffering that is experienced by Christians as Christians. The research then completed an analys is of the present situation,seeking to understand the expectations and attitudes that are prevalent in the current trainees for gospel ministry within REACH-SA who are trained at George Whitefield College situated in Cape Town,South Africa. The research also surveyed the experience of suffering as well as the attitudes towards suffering present in the faculty at GWC. The research found that students had a significant expectation of suffering but over-emphasised their own ability to endure it.Students were also found to have financial expectations that differed significantly from the present reality within REACH-SA. The faculty were found to have some experience of suffering and an understanding that suffering is a significant Biblical theme but they did not to teach extensively on this theme. Finally, some practical suggestions and strategic action are proposed to improve the present situation in order to better prepare trainees to endure hardship.