Life is often a winding journey where moments of clarity alternate with seasons of uncertainty. We all grapple with times when progress feels impossible and our paths are obscured by doubt or circumstance. Yet history and Scripture show us that being stuck is not a solitary experience nor a permanent state.
There is something about “stuckness” that causes me to panic. At best, it represents not having options; at worst, I imagine a scuba diver being wedged into a tight spot in an underwater cave. There is nothing pleasant about being stuck.
If you have ever felt stuck, you are in good company. I texted some family and friends, simply asking, “Who do you feel represents being stuck in Scripture?” I was overwhelmed by the response.
- Abraham is stuck in fear when he offers his wife to the foreign leaders.
- Joshua and Caleb are stuck in a bad decision when they had the courage to advocate for the right one.
- Moses becomes disobedient when he tries to prove himself to a stubborn group of people he has been asked to lead.
- Elijah experiences the incredible high that must have come from the defeat of the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, but only a day later is stuck in despair.
- Peter, Andrew, James, and John are stuck in dead-end jobs.
- Nicodemus is stuck in his tradition and love of the law.
- Matthew and Zacchaeus are stuck in greed and the shame of being a part of the oppression of their own people.
- A woman caught in the act of adultery is stuck in sin and societal shame.
- Peter is stuck in his traditional understanding of who God loves and what God considers good.
The suggestions kept pouring in, to the point where I realized that perhaps everyone has some aspect of being stuck in their story. You are not alone!
In my work with Matthew 5:9 Fellowship and PastorServe, I have found that one of my primary privileges is walking alongside pastors who feel stuck. The beauty in their story, as well as every story listed above, is that God offers this grace-filled invitation away from “stuck” and into something new. Don’t stay stuck. Something new is waiting around the next corner.
Dean Kuest
This is not a typical bio I would use to introduce myself to strangers, but ministry is often where we present our best on the “front stage” and hide the dirt “backstage.” Like social media, it is easy to produce the stuff that makes us look great, but I long for relationships that are real…so here is my “honest” bio.
I am a husband of 33 years to my beautiful wife, Leslie. I am a pastor and a PK who raised five PKs (all boys). I am now Pops to five grandchildren (four girls in there – finally). I have a great relationship with my parents and my boys. I’m so proud of each of them.
I am an example of failure—I have put my work above my wife for many years. I have never had an affair, but the church has been my mistress at times. Leslie has been gracious, and we have worked through those wounds and scars. We are an example of perseverance, and I am so grateful for the love we nurture.
I was blessed to be rooted in one church in the Phoenix area for 25 years. I was blessed to be uprooted and lead a church plant in the Seattle area for eight years. I have climbed the ladder of leadership in an exceptionally large church. And I have been humbled by a complete loss of confidence at the end of my time in Seattle.
I sought help and learned several things about myself.
I tried to do everything myself and had poor stress management.
I have ADD and need strategies and medication to deal with it.
I had a hormone imbalance that contributed to my anxiety.
Thirteen years later, I continue to learn about those strategies and how to tap into the support I need.
I was one of the original nine pastors who met together in 2018 to dream the dream that has become the Matthew 5:9 Fellowship. I am passionate about the Gospel, the love and grace of Jesus, and I long to be a peacemaker in a polarized world. I have learned to be honest about what God has gifted me to do and where my abilities fall short.
I like to build and create. I don’t like to maintain. I have always had great people skills, but I am a poor administrator and event organizer. I lead with grace because I know I have needed it throughout my life and ministry. I am not always good at giving myself grace because I have a VERY LOUD inner critic who is very opinionated and always self-effacing. I am a gifted coach and mentor and connect well with younger generations of pastors.
I would love to come alongside you as a coach. As a reminder, the first session is free, and the Matthew 5:9 Fellowship will pay for two more.
Shoot me an email if that is something you would like to explore.
This is not a typical bio I would use to introduce myself to strangers, but ministry is often where we present our best on the “front stage” and hide the dirt “backstage.” Like social media, it is easy to produce the stuff that makes us look great, but I long for relationships that are real…so here is my “honest” bio.
I am a husband of 33 years to my beautiful wife, Leslie. I am a pastor and a PK who raised five PKs (all boys). I am now Pops to five grandchildren (four girls in there – finally). I have a great relationship with my parents and my boys. I’m so proud of each of them.
I am an example of failure—I have put my work above my wife for many years. I have never had an affair, but the church has been my mistress at times. Leslie has been gracious, and we have worked through those wounds and scars. We are an example of perseverance, and I am so grateful for the love we nurture.
I was blessed to be rooted in one church in the Phoenix area for 25 years. I was blessed to be uprooted and lead a church plant in the Seattle area for eight years. I have climbed the ladder of leadership in an exceptionally large church. And I have been humbled by a complete loss of confidence at the end of my time in Seattle.
I sought help and learned several things about myself.
-
I tried to do everything myself and had poor stress management.
-
I have ADD and need strategies and medication to deal with it.
-
I had a hormone imbalance that contributed to my anxiety.
Thirteen years later, I continue to learn about those strategies and how to tap into the support I need.
I was one of the original nine pastors who met together in 2018 to dream the dream that has become the Matthew 5:9 Fellowship. I am passionate about the Gospel, the love and grace of Jesus, and I long to be a peacemaker in a polarized world. I have learned to be honest about what God has gifted me to do and where my abilities fall short.
I like to build and create. I don’t like to maintain. I have always had great people skills, but I am a poor administrator and event organizer. I lead with grace because I know I have needed it throughout my life and ministry. I am not always good at giving myself grace because I have a VERY LOUD inner critic who is very opinionated and always self-effacing. I am a gifted coach and mentor and connect well with younger generations of pastors.
I would love to come alongside you as a coach. As a reminder, the first session is free, and the Matthew 5:9 Fellowship will pay for two more.
Shoot me an email if that is something you would like to explore.
