I was headed to the hospital the other day to make a visit when I saw a large digital sign with these words: ROUGH ROAD AHEAD.
Road construction was underway, and they wanted me to know.
Now, if only ministry came with such warning signs.
Imagine if on your way to church this Sunday you see a sign that says: DEACON MAD AT YOU or BUDGET SHORT AGAIN or MORE WORKERS QUITTING or ATTENDANCE LOW AHEAD.
It’s probably good that such signs don’t exist, or you might turn around and head back home!!
We don’t always know what awaits us in ministry, but we know the One Who does. While we may not see the warning signs, we can still prepare for the rough road ahead.
Allow me to offer 3 suggestions for handling problems in ministry.
Expect Problems
Always remember that we minister in a broken world with broken people. Jesus said clearly that we would face tribulations. We should not be surprised by problems in the church. If you need a reminder, go read 1 Corinthians!
As long as we are on this side of eternity, we will face issues we do not like and would rather not face. Knowing this can help us be less caught off guard when we face challenges.
Walk Closely With Jesus
We must remain “prayed up,” as they used to say.
Our walk with Christ will help prepare us to handle the “rough road ahead” as we grow more like Him. We’ll need the Fruit of the Spirit to respond as we should. Plus, if we find our identity, satisfaction, and meaning in Christ, it will help protect us from being so wrapped up in how many attended last Sunday or in who’s upset with us now.
Turn the Problems Over To Him
You are serving in His church, not yours. You are not left alone to figure out and “fix” everything wrong in the church where you serve.
That verse that says to cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you, INCLUDES YOU, Pastor.
He knows that you’re struggling with the fact that a deacon is mad at you, that the budget is short again, that you can’t keep enough workers, and that everyone (it seems) was at the beach rather than at church this past Sunday. Gives those cares to Him, and keep going.
We don’t need a giant sign telling us that there is going to be a rough road ahead.
Jesus already told us.
But thankfully, that road will end one day. And instead of a rough road, we’ll be traveling on a golden one! Hallelujah!!