Bishop Curtis :
For me , the toughest thing about pastoring knows that people listen to me only when times are detrimental . My voice becomes prominent to them once there is a deep rooted need or an emergency .
Also , people will hold me to an unrealistic expectation . But the truth is , I am working with and I have been a pastor to people who are hurting . Hurting people will hurt people , and I have been hurt daily , but the expectation is for me to continue to serve those that hurt me . I have to show people love and not let them know that I know that they just finished talking about me .
Pastors are human , we have needs , Bills to pay , families , but we aren ’ t ‘ allowed ’ to be anything other than a pastor .
On a daily basis , I have to battle with thoughts . ‘ Will my church still trust me if I told them about my struggles ?’. I have to remember that this chose me , I didn ’ t choose it . If god had told me how this would be , and I had considered the costs , I probably would not have chosen it .
I guess the toughest thing about everything is not being able to respond in your own pain .
MORE Mag : What are your expectations for 2017 ?
Bishop Curtis : I have three , for myself , church and family .
For me , I want to develop a consistent level of push toward the purpose that is within me . I don ’ t want to fall into the trap of being lazy , even if I have a day off .
For church , I want a big movement towards a purposeful life . I want to see large numbers , not just doing ‘ something ’, but doing the things that they were born and created to do .