Pastor, do you experience a case of MMBs on Mondays?
“What are MMBs you ask? According to an unknown source, MMBs is “Monday Morning Ministry Blues.” This speaks of the mental battles, feelings of regret and failure, emotional exhaustion, and discouragement that can come to a pastor on Monday after Sunday.
How can you overcome the MMBs? Here’s a few thoughts.
- Begin your Monday by giving every “win” and every “loss” from Sunday to God. Now, reality is, we do not know all the wins and losses on Sunday because we are not omniscient, therefore our win/loss meter is faulty at best. No matter, cast it all at Jesus’ feet. He’s the Head of the Church. By the way, success is not “buildings, bodies, and bucks,” as one of my mentors, Jim Binney” noted. Success is “obedience to the revealed, known will of God found in His Word” (John Hunter).
- Get some rest. You gave your all during the week getting ready for Sunday. Then you expended much spiritual, physical, and mental energy in greeting people, listening to needs, preaching the Word, surviving multiple expectations, leading meetings, etc.The plane landed Sunday night and is in the hanger for clean up and repairs. Warren Wiersbe said it well, “Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is rest.” Pastor, let your body and mind rest. You were not created to have at it seven days a week, 24 hours a day. May I encourage you, if you truly can, to take the whole day off, not just half.
- Do not mask the MMBs by putting on a happy ministry face. If you are struggling, talk to your wife. Share your heart with her. Phone a friend or meet for coffee so he can listen to you, speak the truth in love to your heart, help you with your blind spots and then have prayer with you. It’s okay. Blessing from the hand of God often comes through failure and struggles.
All of us pastors know about the MMBs in some form or fashion. Soak your soul in Romans 8:28-39, and look forward to Tuesday!
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