Expert: Rev. T. H. Eslam - 12/12/2010

Question
Hello,
   I have been a Christian pastor for 30 relatively healthy and productive years.  I had my gall bladder taken out 3 years ago because I lost 50lbs in a couple of months. Then last year I was sick again in the hospital with stomach problems for a month.  I recovered but this year I was again in the hospital for 3 weeks and in the months since getting out I am still sick.
    I can see that the congregation is concerned that they think their pastor is dying.  Mostly what I think I see is fear.  I even think some think it would be better if I left because it is too hard for them to deal with it.
    I carry on as if nothing is changed and work just as hard as I always do.  But I want what is best for the congregation and don't know what to do.  The doctors don't know what is wrong with me and I don't either.  I have at least 6 years to full retirement. My denominational officials are no help at all and probably see me as a liability as well.
    I serve the Lord the best I can and ask for His counsel but don't know what to do, look for another church, stay and carry on or just give up.
    Any advice you can give would be appreciated.

Answer
Dear Sir,
Peace!
Thank you for your question.

When history's greatest teacher and preacher Lord Jesus Christ taught His children (we are all God's children, even Satan) there were two aspects to his preaching: The hard truths that we hate to hear about ourselves and then the comforting words that raise our spirits.

So, to start with, your letter as a whole appears to have been written by an atheist, let alone a "pastor". Both your salutation and farewell showed a lack of basic etiquette. Lord Jesus wants us to greet others with a message of peace, as he clearly mentioned in the Gospels when commissioning his disciples to go and preach the good news. Similarly, when ending a conversation or letter He wants us to give some kind of blessing, if even the most succinct of messages as I do here ("Bye" means "bless ye").

However, the most part of your missive I found most striking is your thoughts on death. You seem to find death a difficult topic to deal with, or at least your congregation does. And from whom do they learn about such topics? From you, their pastor of course. Therefore, what exactly do you tell them about death? Do you clearly explain that death is illusory, since we are spirit and "the body counts for nothing"? Perhaps you haven't realized this basic spiritual truth yourself?

As for giving advice to you, my best advice is simply what Lord Jesus said: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart". All illusions about death and sickness shall be shattered by union with God through devotion to his Sacred Heart.

I pray to Saint Joseph that you will have a very happy and holy "death" by firstly "dying to your self" first.

Bye,
Rev. Eslam
Australia