Balancing Pastoral Calling and Family Responsibility in a Challenging Context

“For the laborer is worthy of his wages.” (Luke 10:7)

The work of a pastor is not easy. In Pakistan, where Christians are a persecuted minority, pastoring is especially challenging in new and small congregations. From training through active ministry, pastors often rely on external support to sustain themselves. Many travel on foot or by motorcycle to reach new areas and plant churches.

These newly planted congregations usually face serious financial limitations, making it difficult to provide consistent support for pastors. Many church members are unable to give regularly or in sufficient amounts. Most earn their living through farming, while a large portion work in cleaning or other labor-intensive jobs. As a result, offerings are often sacrificial but still fall short of meeting a pastor’s basic needs.

At the same time, Scripture emphasizes a pastor’s responsibility toward his family: “For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?” (1 Timothy 3:5). This creates a tension between calling and provision, ministry and stewardship.

In these circumstances, pastors may feel the need to take up other work alongside ministry. However, dividing time and energy between secular work and pastoral responsibilities can distract from the congregation’s needs, personal spiritual growth, and essential practices such as Bible study, prayer, and household visitation.

This raises several important questions:

• Should a pastor consider starting a business to support his family? If so, what kind of business would be appropriate without compromising his calling?
• Should he seek support from mainline denominations that may compromise biblical doctrines, embrace liberal theology, prosperity gospel teachings, feminism in the church, or other unbiblical social ideologies?
• Should a pastor reach out to Western churches online, even though they are often viewed as seeking financial gain or exploiting vulnerable communities?
• How can a pastor balance financial responsibility with faithfulness to ministry?
• What guidance and support can the church provide to help pastors meet their needs while remaining focused on pastoral responsibilities?

These are critical questions for sustaining faithful pastoral ministry in challenging contexts like Pakistan. They require careful biblical reflection, wisdom, and the support of the wider body of Christ.