Whether you are the guy setting up chairs, ordering crayons for children’s ministry, or searching the Scriptures to preach the Word, the enemy of consistent ministry is apathy, discouragement, and even discontent.
Six New Thoughts to Think
- Think about the rarity of a well-run local church. Take the responsibility to be different and to set an example of excellence for others to follow in your area of expertise.
- Think about those you are serving. All ministry tasks have people attached to them. Think more about the people and less about the task and the task will take on new meaning. (E.g., pray for every person who will sit in a chair you are setting up).
- Think about those you are leading. If you have a team to help you accomplish your mission, how can you be an encouragement to them? How can you love them and make them glad they are on your team?
- Think in terms of longevity of ministry faithfulness. Follow in the footsteps of legendary saints who were known for their faithfulness. Be the guy who did his ministry for 30 years.
- Think about the example of service you are setting for your family. Children who don’t see dad and mom serving are less likely to serve when they are older.
- Think of Christ, the One you are truly serving. All results belong to Him and all honor belongs to Him. So when you wish you were getting more of these two things, remember Jesus to Whom they truly belong.
Six New Approaches to Try
- Make a purposeful effort to add some new dimension(s) to your ministry annually. The Priority Threes we do are precisely for this reason.
- Along with #1, never fall into the trap of maintenance-only. Schedule time to consider and plan development. Maintenance-only = eventual burnout and discouragement. As you learn, document what you are learning. You will eventually have a meaningful contribution to a specific area of ministry.
- Pray for one another specifically in the ministries of others and let them know you are doing so.
- Ask for and don’t be afraid of feedback to help you grow in wisdom in your ministry.
- Squash and repent of negative critical thoughts we tend to allow to fester. Think the best of those you are serving with and around.
- Get your wife involved with ideas for making your areas of ministry better. Giving her ownership will help her feel involved rather than the ministry just draining you away from her.
BONUS MATERIAL: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and love your neighbor [in this case, fellow servants] as yourself.