Note: You do have to create an account to watch this video, but Pastor Mark Driscoll's resources are a great resource for both young and established pastors.
In this video, Pastor Mark clarifies what many misunderstand when Paul says to “bear one another’s burdens” in Galatians 6:2-5. Mark argues that as pastors we must be discerning as to what constitutes a “burden” or not. Many times we as leaders are asked (or ask others) for help when it is clearly something that they/we are capable of doing on our own. A genuine burden is not something for which we are clearly responsible. An example of something that is a false burden that Pastor Mark gives is a man asking him to call him every morning because he has trouble getting out of bed to go to work. Clearly, this man ought to be capable of getting out of bed himself.
If we as leaders do not distinguish between the genuine and false, we will go around carrying “50 backpacks of everybody else’s load.” But “then a real load comes” and we as leaders will be unable to respond. Often leaders do this with good intentions (compassion, willingness, and even call). With that mentality, we will be overwhelmed with all the things that others should be carrying themselves or even what other members of the body should be helping them carry. Even more, when we carry false burdens we are actually stifling spiritual growth. Pastors need to help facilitate a type of culture where people own what they need to own while at the same time are sensitive to what is genuinely a need. If we do not, we will create consumers instead of genuine burden carrying disciples.
(260 words minus the note)
Chris, this post raised several thoughts in my mind about burdens in ministry. I know the foremost though I had was in regards to guilt. I am in some ways a people pleaser and always want to be able to say "yes" when someone asks me for help. But I have come to realize that there are times I cannot say yes. This posting pointed out to me that there are also times where I should not say yes because it is an unnecessary task for me to undertake. As I try to discern the tasks which I should undertake I need to not feel guilty when I say "no." In fact it may be in the asking party's best interest that I say no to his or her request. Therefore, as the individual's pastor I am not required to bear his or her burden rather I am required to not bear it because it would be for this person's own benefit. This teaching from Mark helped take away the guilty conscience I have when I do not help someone else with their burden. It also showed me times where I have tried to ask for help with burdens I could very easily handle on my own.
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