In a recent conversation with one of our great Kentucky Baptist pastors, he shared an encouraging story. A dear older saint had reached out to hear an update on his ministry. He shared that the honeymoon phase was over and that the “shininess” was starting to fade. She exhorted him, “Honey, if you keep polishing something, it will keep on shining.”
What in your life or ministry needs to be polished? Leadership authors and trainers Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram write about the parts of one’s work or ministry that are more meaningful and the parts that are more like “taking out the garbage.” If we are not careful, we can get so caught up in the negative parts that we forget the more meaningful parts.
How can pastors, elders and ministry leaders stay encouraged by the parts of our ministry assignment that we love while also faithfully discharging our duties in the areas that are not as enjoyable? Here are five suggestions:
1. Thank God for what He lets you do: One of the quickest paths to recovering joy in one’s work is to spend time thanking God for work He has given. A friend once said that “ministry is a privilege, not a right.” His remark succinctly stated what every God-called leader has recognized at some point – that it really is a great honor to serve the Lord in a ministry leadership position, whether that ministry is fully funded, co-vocational or unpaid. One way to polish up your current ministry calling is to give thanks for what the Lord allows you to do.
2. Find meaning in the mundane: I remember a sermon preached at a Shepherding event in Lexington by Woodburn Baptist Church Pastor Tim Harris that dealt with the mundane, day in and day out ministry of Old Testament priests. Tim made the connection that most of ministry leadership is the normal, ordinary, unseen work of faithful leaders. Since this is the case, we must each learn to find meaning and joy in the ordinary things our work requires of us each day and do those things for the glory of God and for the good of people.
3. Confess your grumbling and resentment: Complaining about the parts of our work that we do not like is both easy and unhelpful. Complaining can lead to grumbling, and grumbling can lead to resentment. Philippians 2:14 exhorts believers to “do all things without grumbling or disputing.” Preacher and author John Piper once said, “Much of our anger and resentment comes from the expectation that ‘I have a right to be treated well.’” When we find ourselves complaining and grumbling about our ministry assignment, or the way we are being treated in it, we will be well-served by spending time with the Lord confessing and processing these realities with Him and gaining a fresh perspective from God and His word.
4. Remember your calling: Followers of Jesus are reminded in Ephesians 2:10 that we have specific assignments to be completed during our time here on earth. Paul wrote, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” We are not saved by good works, but we are saved to do good works. Those good works, or ministry assignments, are ordained by God that we should walk in them. When ministry has lost its luster, it is good to remember that God is the One who calls us into our ministry assignments.
5. Take time to rest and return refreshed: One of my favorite memories from a Charles Stanley sermon was when he described experiencing a sermon block. He said he was genuinely struggling to hear from the Lord. In desperation, he lay prostrate on the floor of his study asking God for help. While in prayer he fell asleep, and after a short nap awakened refreshed and ready to think more clearly about his message. The lesson was that sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is take a nap. Whether you need a nap, a walk in the woods or a cup of coffee in a lawn chair under a shade tree, we all need rest, and we will think more clearly after a time of relaxing and refreshing.
How many of us have prepared a car to be sold and worked hard to clean and polish it only to think ‘this car looks pretty good.’ We would probably have enjoyed it more had we kept it clean and polished. Ministry may be the same. Sometimes, instead of changing ministry assignments, what is needed most is a good “polishing” of the current one.
Dr. Todd Gray 