I remember it all too well. It was the last time I rode a roller coaster. The location was Six Flags Over Texas, and the ride was the Titan. As we ascended upward, I clearly remember thinking, “What are you doing on here?” There were terrifying screams and cries of others around me, but when the ride was over, they all seemed to cry out in unison, “Let’s do that again!” Not me. I was done, finished, retired and I tried to recover from a throbbing headache the rest of the day. I wonder, is that how you are feeling about ministry leadership in your church right now? You’re done, finished and would love to quit.
Life is full of ups and downs, struggles and victories, mountain tops and valleys, celebrations and disappointments. It is a part of the ride and should be expected. Ministry is like parenting in some ways. It is a joy to be a parent, most of the time! The Christian journey of faith we are on is not about perfection but progress and continuing to move forward, no matter what challenges may come. There are two types of wilderness experiences — the kind you do not choose and the self-imposed kind. The key here is realizing that you do have a choice in how you approach and handle difficult situations.
Our church planter training (DCPI) teaches that there are “seasons” and “cycles” in your journey. This truth applies to anyone seeking to serve the Lord. Sometimes it is hot and sunny, but at other times, it is rainy and cold. Those times can be quite discouraging. Serving and following Christ begins with the same three linear stages that lead to seasons or cycles of high and low roads. It begins with a vision, moves to planning and implementation, but then the trials and tribulations will come. The rollercoaster ride of recurring loops of celebration and/or discouragement can begin. Ministry usually begins with a vision of what God wants you to accomplish. Excitement burns within you to fulfill your calling and make a difference for Christ. DCPI training states, “This is a time of great excitement and some trepidation, as God’s vision for your ministry begins to take shape in your heart and mind. The magnitude of the eternal impact you could make captures your heart and energizes your mind. The joy of knowing God has planted this vision in your heart, and the closeness you feel with Him.” Your calling is driving you to step out in faith, believing God will do great things.
Then you move into planning and implementation. You want to make sure your vision is not just a pipe dream. You begin to put the vision God has placed on your heart down on paper. DCPI says, “Prayerful planning enlightens your vision and gives detail to what the vision will become. This is the time when you really begin to work, when you pray and plan and begin the important steps necessary to move toward God’s design for your ministry. Without this stage, there will be no realization of God’s vision.” It is important to remember to not only work “in” your ministry but also “on” your ministry.
These linear stages begin with vision, continue with planning and implementation, but then trials and tribulations can develop quickly. Yes, there it is, trials. This is where the rollercoaster of life can really get rolling. There are basically three kinds of people — those with problems, those coming out of problems and those about to have problems. The trials you will experience are inevitable, and your faith will be tested. The enemy will attack, and spiritual warfare will take place. Jesus Himself promised victory in such an ambitious offensive campaign, but it can be full of tribulation and danger.
Ministry can place a strain on a marriage and produce family pressure. Normal family conflict and difficulty can easily intensify when you decide to follow Christ and be faithful in every area of your life. The family should not be sacrificed on the altar of ministry. You must protect your home and focus on your walk with God; family dynamics and your ministry must be in biblical balance. Without your family, you do not have a ministry. Take your vacation, date your wife, spend time with your children and practice the sabbath. Disciple and minister to your family first and foremost.
Loneliness and being isolated are real issues. The worst thing you can do is to try to face the trials and tribulations of the ministry alone. Ministry Grid says, “Transformation is a communal experience, not an individual exercise.” Everyone needs a mentor or a coach in their life to help them through the rollercoaster experiences that come along. One ministry says this quite directly: “Don’t pastor alone.” Every leader needs accountability partners they trust who can speak into their lives and tell them what they need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear. Look again at Proverbs 28:23.
What do you think is one of the most difficult issues leaders deal with? Quite a few state that they believe it is discouragement, and discouragement has been described as “Satan’s number one strategy for taking pastors out.” Many circumstances can cause discouragement, such as opposition, exhaustion and being overwhelmed by your workload. Life is very capable of presenting you with challenging moments where you begin to wonder if your time and effort are worth your investment. Discouragement can begin to control your thoughts and penetrate your heart.
Don’t waste your discouragement on yourself. Learn from it, ask God what He is teaching you, accept that it may be occurring for His honor and glory, and submit to His plan and purpose. Feeling sorry for yourself and questioning why you should have to endure difficulties will hurt you more than help you. Galatians 6:9 states, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
