The greener pasture is tilled and nurtured. If you cannot figure out how to raise a greener pasture where you are, you should be extra cautious about bringing whatever has made your pasture patchy to a place where it is healthy.
When I first stepped into the pastorate, I had big ideas about preaching, theology and mission. While those dreams were not wrong, they were incomplete. I wrestled with the tension between my expectations and reality early in ministry. I thought transformation would happen quickly if I preached clearly enough or cast a compelling enough vision. But real church life isn’t built overnight. God uses the long, slow rhythms of trust, faithfulness and love.
God didn’t place me in the church I serve so I could change it to fit my vision. He put me here so He could change me! He causes me and the church to conform to His vision.
That realization has deepened my love for the people I serve. They are not obstacles to overcome; rather, they are the very ones God has entrusted to me. Their prayers, patience and partnership have shaped me into a better pastor.
Learning to Grow Where You’re Planted
In his article “The Myth of the Church-Hopping Pastor,” Trevin Wax addresses the misconception that most pastors constantly seek their next church position. He highlights that many pastors remain in their roles longer than people might think. However, some may feel dissatisfied because they are in pursuit of the idea that there is a “better” church out there for them.
I’ve felt that pull, too. But God, in His grace, has anchored me. He’s taught me that greener pastures aren’t found — they’re cultivated. They come when we invest in the people God has given us, choose faithfulness over fantasy and realize that spiritual fruit grows best in soil enriched by patient labor and mutual love.
Ministry is a collaborative effort. My congregation and I are learning together how to follow Jesus more closely. We have celebrated, struggled, laughed and cried. Throughout all of this, I’ve witnessed the faithfulness of God at work in the lives of genuine people who love Jesus and care for one another.
The Real Joy of Ministry
What I’ve come to cherish most about pastoring is not the moments when everything goes as planned, but when God surprises us with His grace in the ordinary. A child learning to pray, a quiet saint offering encouragement or a hard conversation that leads to healing are not small things. They are signs of a living church growing under the care of a good Shepherd.
So, to fellow pastors who may feel restless, don’t underestimate the beauty of staying. Don’t believe the lie that effectiveness is measured by numbers or notoriety. God measures success by faithfulness, love and endurance.
And to the church I’m honored to serve, thank you. Thank you for your grace, patience and prayers. Thank you for helping me grow. I am a better pastor because of you. Let’s keep tending the pasture together.
