Monday’s Ministry Encouragement: Written to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema.
You are worn out physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually from a full-day of ministry on Sunday.
Perhaps you are still riding the crest of the wave from a wonderful day of ministry.
Maybe you are ready to “throw in the towel.”
Maybe you are ready to “take on the world today!”
I understand.
Ministry is an emotional roller-coaster no matter how young or old you are; if you are just starting out or have been faithful for 50 plus years. We are as Elijah, a man with a nature like ours; of like passions (James 5:17).
So, beginning today with these Monday blog posts, my heart is to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema (Matthew 11:28-30; 25:21; 1 Corinthians 3:9-15; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 5:10).
Earlier on this Monday morning, I read the following from Pastor Craig Edwards, Mt. Airy, NC. Read it and be encouraged, friend.
I was blessed to attend Tennessee Temple in the late sixties when it was in the “Glory Days!” Highland Park Baptist Church was strong and Dr. Lee Roberson was at his peak. I can remember Dr. Roberson telling all of students there were two things that could potentially ruin our ministries.
One of them was FAILURE. He told us that sooner or later all of us would all fail, and some would not be able to handle it. He told the truth; all of us have failed! I have failed my family, others, myself, and God! I have failed as a son, brother, husband, father, and as a Christian. We are broken through our failures and made weak, but God works through and in our weaknesses. His strength is made perfect through our weakness!
The second thing he warned us about was SUCCESS! He said many talented and gifted young men have been ruined bc of success, and I agree with him 100%! King Saul was very successful when he was small in his own eyes, but his success eventually got the best of him! Many good men have been corrupted with pride and greed because of their success. Lucifer became Satan, not because of his weakness, but his power and gifts made him proud and God brought him down low!!! A lot of good men start out with good intentions and a pure motive until they experienced success. That’s why a bishop is not to be a novice lest he be lifted up with pride. Paul was given a thorn in the flesh lest he should be exalted above measure.
WE MUST DIE; die to failure and die to success! Die to criticism and die to compliments !
WE MUST DIE; die to failure and die to success! Die to criticism and die to compliments !!! We must learn that ministry is not about us, it’s all about Jesus and others. True ministry doesn’t ask, “What’s in it for me?” True ministry doesn’t require a platform, camera, or a spotlight. True ministry is not about receiving but it’s all about giving!!! It’s not about us; never has been; never will be!!!! If we are in ministry for the right reasons, we cannot lose, even if we are thrown into prison and beheaded for doing right as John the Baptist was!!! If we’re not in ministry for the right reasons, we cannot win, even though we dwell in high places while the world sings our praise!!!
Ministry friend, is there a way I could encourage you? May I help you? My dad was a pastor for almost 50 years, and I have served in local church ministry since I was 13 years old. Being of like passions, as Elijah, I, too, know that “roller-coaster” ride. Please reach out by leaving a comment or contact me at bcbcpastor@comcast.net. This is my private, personal email. I sincerely want to be a safe, biblical, non-judgmental source of refreshment for you, to help you stay in the ministry, to cheer you on to keep moving forward, and to strengthened you in your most important ministry . . . the ministry to your wife and family.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Additional Resources
I Don’t Care Anymore – Blog post
From A Pastor's Heart 