I reckon the answer might be something along the lines of “setting boundaries between church work and family/home life”. Of course we are all called to always be ready to ‘minister’ to people. But I think thats where the line gets blurred for Ministers/Pastors. When a good majority of there friends and family are (hopefully) church goers, discussion always comes back to the goings on of church life.

Too bad he’s bringing it up with his wife on his holiday at Noosa.

I would imagine that the hardest part would be when their own life is not going well, and people are too busy seeing them in their “perfect pastor” hat to give them the support and encouragement they need.

Speaking from the vantage point of over 35 years of preaching, church planting and pastoring, the hardest part of my job is seeing it as a job.  I don’t feel like a professional.  Never did!  In fact, I sense a certain amount of affinity toward those blessed sheep who ask me to give an account of “just exactly what do you do!” It’s not a job so much as it is a calling.  The calling is from the Lord and the job is an utter joy; in all seriousness, even playful.

As the notoriously durable (neo-orthodox) theologian K Barth so eloquently puts it. “Outward and inward work will be done with more rather than less seriousness once a man realises that what he desires and does and achieves thereby, when measured by the work of God which it may attest, cannot be anything but play, i.e., a childlike imitation and reflection of the fatherly action of God which as such is true and proper action. When children play properly, of course, they do so with supreme seriousness and devotion. Even in play, if a man does not really play properly he is a spoil-sport. We are summoned to play properly. But we must not imagine that what we desire and are able to do is more than play.” - Barth, K., Bromiley, G. W., & Torrance, T. F. (2004). Church dogmatics, Volume III: The doctrine of creation, Part 4.

rejoice, ron

Hi Ben - I would say without any hesitation that the hardest part is opposition.  Three years ago, before my wife and I began the church plant we are involved in now, I was warned by an experienced pastor that we would probably face opposition from at least four quarters in our particular situation.  These have all proved true, in more painful ways than we could have guessed.  There are two reasons the opposition is so hard to take I think.  Firstly because most of it comes from those who ought to be on your side, those in Christian circles, rarely from complete pagans.  Secondly because it nearly always seems to be the case that the conflict would go away very quickly if we just kept our heads down, if we kept quiet and didn’t rock the boat or if we just softened the gospel a little.  This means the opposition comes with it’s own personal temptation. 

But then I guess I didn’t really need anyone to warn me of this, as Jesus already had, hadn’t he?  (Luke 21:16-17).

the hardest part of ministry is keeping the main thing the main thing.... GP

Not a senior, but in my experience, its when people you trust in ministry let you down.

I would think loneliness. You have a unique position over the people with whom you spend the most of your time. People who in other circumstances would be friends, who you can share your life with in an equal, unhindered way, look to you for leadership and advice. This seems lonely to me, not to mention a heavy burden.

I’m only an associate (to the) pastor, but my biggest frustration is seeing people seemingly move backwards spiritually. 

Like an unconverted person who shows a high level of interest in the gospel, but I never see him trust Christ.  Or, a person who professes Christ but fades after a while.  Or, a person who shows a desire to grow only to find that it’s short-lived.

I would guess persevering in godliness under external and internal stress.