John Piper Announces Leave: "The precious garden of my home needs tending."

I wonder how many pastors—especially in our circles—have the sense to see their need to do what Piper’s doing. Not long ago, my wife talked to a pastor’s wife who’s on the verge of hard-telling-what because her workaholic pastor-husband is constantly on the go trying to “build a great work for God.” Ah, but at what cost? I’m afraid too many of us have a “she just needs to buck up” attitude. Pastors, have you ever gone to conferences and noticed the number of wives who seem to be emotionally expressionless? You stopped to consider why that might be?

I must be honest in saying that this kind of thing is very foreign to me. I am going to pray for Pastor Piper. Wouldn’t it be great if this encouraged others to be honest with themselves and their churches when things were not going perfectly? I am not implying that everyone in ministry needs to do this—I just find it refreshing.

How do I apologize to you, not for a specific deed, but for ongoing character flaws, and their effects on everybody?

It would be interesting to read John Piper reveal where, in his published works, these flaws impacted his teaching during this time. Obviously he has more immediate concerns at the moment but seeing he is correcting or rectifying one area where his character flaws have had a negative impact, when he returns to ministry, it would be of great services to his devotees, students and the like to have him reveal where it skewed his teaching.

He made two related mentions:

I hope the Lord gives me at least five more years as the pastor for preaching and vision at Bethlehem.

and

Personally, I view these months as a kind of relaunch of what I hope will be the most humble, happy, fruitful five years of our 35 years at Bethlehem and 46 years of marriage. Would you pray with me to that end?

The incongruity of these two comments caught my attention. First he expresses hope that the Lord will give him an additional 5 years at Bethlehem after he returns as if his tenure is in doubt. But in a closing statement, where he refers again to the 5 years, he does so with a certain expectation and far less doubt. Possibly the sermons contain some relevant information. I found the pieces odd in comparison to each other.

Finally Piper makes this statement:

I give you as much assurance as I can that I am not making peace, but war, with my own sins.

Possibly the very pietism contained within this statement is a large part of the infliction he needs to consider treating during his sabbatical.

Nevertheless, may God bless John Piper during this time with an enlargement of understanding regarding himself, all of his concerns , God’s Word and its application and all possible remedies for his burdens. And may it be so for all men and women are are not afforded lengthy times of undistracted concentration and meditation as well.

[Matthew Richards] I must be honest in saying that this kind of thing is very foreign to me. I am going to pray for Pastor Piper. Wouldn’t it be great if this encouraged others to be honest with themselves and their churches when things were not going perfectly? I am not implying that everyone in ministry needs to do this—I just find it refreshing.

Very refreshing. In order for this kind of thing to happen, you need a transparent minister. You also need a church filled with Christians who understand the unique pressures of ministry and who are willing to commit themselves to not thinking the worse about the man, his family, and the situtation. Many ministers are not in a financial situation that would allow them to take time off in a situation like this and I do believe there are times a congregation would greatly serve God’s purposes by helping support their minister in such a time.

If God keeps me here until July 2010, it will mark the completion of 17 years of serving as the Pastor of the same church and 19 total years of ministry in the same city. While every year has had its blessings and challenges, I am finding that the challenges grow greater with the years. On the one hand, I recognize that there are men who have and are ministering in circumstances and have had it so much harder than me, yet they continued to serve with no sabbaticals or times away. Yet I also know about men like Spurgeon who would have never survived as long as he did without those times in France.

I believe one answer is that there must be a stronger environment of prayer in the local church. God’s servants in Acts were upheld, empowered, and delivered from bondage through the prayers of saints who believe God and love the servants of God enough to pray for them. I also believe there is a tendency in fundamentalism to assume the worst about somebody first instead of having that love that covers a multitude of sins. People try to get rid of pastors for reasons that should not disqualify a man from ministry. It is in that environment of biblical love that church leaders can discern the need to let the pastor have some time to take care of needs that will strengthen himself, his family, and the Lord’s work.

While it is popular in some fundamental circles to hurl darts at Piper, I want God to help me send prayers up for Him. I want God to help me influence my fellow fundamentalists to turn to this type of environment that we see there at Bethelehem Baptist Church.

Just want to recommend that we avoid doing much parsing and focus on praying for JP and his journey. The parsing of statements tends to just lead to alot of speculation—which can make for interesting enough conversation in some situations, but seems to rarely be of much value where we’re talking about somebody’s life.

There have certainly been times over the last 10 yrs when I contemplated doing something along the lines of what Piper appears to be doing here. But finding a way to step down but simultaneously sort of hang on is a tricky thing. Everybody involved will need wisdom to sort it out.

Quote from Alex:
“It would be interesting to read John Piper reveal where, in his published works, these flaws impacted his teaching during this time. Obviously he has more immediate concerns at the moment but seeing he is correcting or rectifying one area where his character flaws have had a negative impact, when he returns to ministry, it would be of great services to his devotees, students and the like to have him reveal where it skewed his teaching.”

There was no mention from Piper of his published works being impacted. If they were impacted then Scripture is sufficient to reveal that. It seems totally unprofitable to even speculate about that. Rather we should be praying for him and praising God to see the Spirit’s work in the heart of a brother in Christ.

How old is Piper?

I wonder how many Christians can go to their bosses and ask for a few months off so they can naval gaze to find life flaws and correct them? How many bosses will respond by saying, hey take the time but I want to continue paying you?
All he needs to do is stop writing for awhile and concentrate on preaching only on Sundays at the church and take extra time off for family and personal prayer. No big deal and what all Christians not in salaried ministry positions must do. I have little sympathy for the Pastoral burn out syndrome and special emotional needs due to ministry. The Western culture church Pastor position and ministry is a twisted concept of church leadership and ministry.

I would be for Pastoral sabbaticals if the Pastor would go and get a normal job for that year and live off the wages. The entry or reentry into the real world of work, time, taking orders, and struggle would be a reawakening to many. The most arrogant groups of people (as a group) that I have experienced has been at Pastoral conferences and meetings. Most need to find a lower Pedestal to stand on. When I look at home schooling, Christian schools, Bible College, and Seminary, it is a wonder that those who go right into ministry can tie their own shoe laces.

This statement must be taken in the context of Pipers constant` promotion of English Puritan Calvinism with it’s works oriented salvation, assurance, and self examination sanctification. Many Puritans exhausted themselves seeking to “desire God.”

This is the age of transparency, sensitivity, being in touch, emotional bonding, personal needs, mentoring, and accountability. Naval gazing equals spiritual pursuit to many.

Like the old salty Navy Chief said to me; You tired? OK, then get to work and forget about it.

The pressures and demands of Pastoral ministry overwhelming? McDonald’s is always hiring.

[jbrackbi] Quote from Alex:
“It would be interesting to read John Piper reveal where, in his published works, these flaws impacted his teaching during this time. Obviously he has more immediate concerns at the moment but seeing he is correcting or rectifying one area where his character flaws have had a negative impact, when he returns to ministry, it would be of great services to his devotees, students and the like to have him reveal where it skewed his teaching.”

There was no mention from Piper of his published works being impacted. If they were impacted then Scripture is sufficient to reveal that. It seems totally unprofitable to even speculate about that. Rather we should be praying for him and praising God to see the Spirit’s work in the heart of a brother in Christ.

John Piper noted his “ministry pattern” needing a reality check. It is far from unreasonable to understand that if John Piper believes his ministry pattern needs a reality check then it has impact the work within that ministry pattern.

Secondly, if Piper has erred in his work due to this period where he believes varying kinds of pride have dislodged him from a place he believes is good and he announces publicly that he intends on correcting and rectifying a private matter, then he public works are all the more needful to be addressed and corrected if that is the case and again, based on his revelation that not only does he feel he needs a reality check with domestic issue but also with his ministry pattern, it is quite normative for one then to follow up with interest in what areas he will (if he does) be addressing that have been negatively impacted in his ministry and in this case I have in view his published works which reach a rather broad audience.. While Scripture has always corrected anyone’s errors that is not how we, as humans, rectify or make right any errors on our part with one another, particularly doctrinal errors when we have the opportunity. So the question stands.

In the mean time it is clear I have already expressed a prayer for John Piper’s illumination on the matter of his concerns.

All he needs to do is stop writing for awhile and concentrate on preaching only on Sundays at the church and take extra time off for family and personal prayer. No big deal and what all Christians not in salaried ministry positions must do.

Let me suggest that the demands of ministry is precisely what keeps pastors from being unable to do what you recommend. One of the primary Biblical expactations of an elder is that he watches for the souls of others and must give account to God for them. (Hebrews 13:17) In this context, it’s often difficult to sufficiently “bear your own burdens” while shouldering the spiritual needs of so many others. This is distinct from the average lay person - yes we bear one anothers spiritual struggles but not to the extent that full-time ministers are expected to. Paul even speaks about this spiritual weight in context of the things that he suffered. (II Cor. 11 - “the care of all the churches.”) More to the point, the very definition of pastoral ministry REQUIRES that you step away if your own spiritual life or family’s is suffering.

You are right that pastoral ministry is not like other jobs.The requirements, expectations, and needs are distinct. And so the Church’s response to pastors who are struggling should be distinct as well.

I cannot at all criticize what Piper is doing, but the thought that came across my mind was “How many pastors who are struggling with sins that they see are creeping into their hearts can take time off to deal with them?” For sure, it is a blessing to be able to do that, but most have to keep on ministering while dealing with sins that creep into their lives.

In general, I am not a big fan of sabbaticals, particularly of this length. I do think that perhaps after an extended period of ministry that time off is warranted. But several things seems to be being missed.

First, it seems that Piper is serious about some sin that he sees in his life. I am not sure why that’s a bad thing. To call that an “infliction” is probably true, but hardly something to be sneezed at. Again, I am not sure recognizing an infliction is a bad thing. It would probably be better for all to take sin a little more seriously and be willing to sacrifice some things to address it.

Second, it seems that Piper desired to take this without pay (and in fact will decide what to do with the pay that he receives). Paid or unpaid leave is not uncommon in many jobs (except perhaps McDonald’s). I had a job when in college where I took four summers off in a row (three months at a time) with no problem. I didn’t get paid for it, but I was given the time off (in large part because of my productivity and contribution). In my current situation, I took about twelve weeks off for health and got paid every week; so far as I know there was never even a question about it. In many jobs, sick leave or sick days are a part of the arrangement. If a person has sick days saved up, in many cases they can take them all at once, and get paid for them at the same time. I have heard of people who quit their jobs six months or a year before they officially retire because they have that many sick days saved up. I have heard of people who use their sick days to spend six months caring for someone who is sick sick. Being able to walk into your boss and request an extended period of time off usually has to do with you or your situation. Some people’s boss would probably be glad to give it for the sake of restored productivity because of perceived value, and others would see it as an opportunity to part ways without having to fire someone. It depends on the job situation as well. There are a lot of factors. To blame Piper because his church values him enough to give him the time off with pay seems a bit weird. Is it really a bad thing that they value his ministry that much? A church can do whatever it wants to do.

Third, Piper’s ministry is a good deal more involved than most of us, due to the size of his church, his productivity, his speaking schedule, etc. To be gone that often has to take a toll on him personally as well as on his family. I can’t imagine the struggle of pride that comes with a ministry like his. Being the “hero” of so many people is a cross I don’t want to bear. I don’t want to face the struggle of what it would do to my family to speak that many times a year somewhere else, to be gone that many nights a year, etc. There are few who can identify with Piper’s life, and I am not sure it is wise to sit in judgment on it.

Fourth to insinuate that this sin somehow is found in his writings is strange, to say the least. That seems very bizarre. His writings can be evaluated without respect to anything else. Read his writings; if you disagree, fine. I am not sure why Piper taking a leave to address some things hurts or helps that. His writings are what they are. If sin has affected them, surely you can see that without him confessing something. If we can’t see theological, methodological, and argumentation problems without someone confessing sin, what does that say about our discernment? I think there are a number of problems in some of Piper’s writings. I thought long before last weekend when he addressed this issue.

Fifth, this thread is concerning because of the attitude taken by a few towards Piper. I would urge some caution. He serves at the pleasure of his church and his arrangements are between them. It would perhaps be better to care for our own ministries and take seriously our own sins before getting to 62. If your congregation or employer loves you enough because of your service to them to give you seven or eight months off with pay, be thankful for it and use it wisely. And if they don’t love you and value you that much, perhaps there are problems that need to be addressed. I am reminded of the proverb that a man’s gifts make room for him. Perhaps there are some principles there that apply here.

Lastly, to assume that I am defending anything about Piper and his ministry would be a gross and most irresponsible reading of my post. Don’t pretend that I am endorsing Piper or anything connected with Piper. That would be wrong on your part. I have severe disagreements with Piper and I think we would do well to be very discerning about his teaching in many areas. I also think that has nothing to do with the situation here.

[Bob T.] I wonder how many Christians can go to their bosses and ask for a few months off so they can naval gaze to find life flaws and correct them? How many bosses will respond by saying, hey take the time but I want to continue paying you…

…All he needs to do is stop writing for awhile and concentrate on preaching only on Sundays at the church and take extra time off for family and personal prayer. No big deal and what all Christians not in salaried ministry positions must do. I have little sympathy for the Pastoral burn out syndrome and special emotional needs due to ministry. The Western culture church Pastor position and ministry is a twisted concept of church leadership and ministry.

…The pressures and demands of Pastoral ministry overwhelming? McDonald’s is always hiring.

Bob, Does McDonald’s have these requirements for employees?

Qualifications for Overseers

3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer [1] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, [2] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

In my area, you cant even get a job at McDonald’s right now. We had a new pizza place open up a couple of weeks ago. They got 300 applications and most that applied were adults.