Isn’t ministry wonderful…sometimes?

Ministry is that beautiful work that often thrills us, other times exhausts us, and sometimes drives us crazy.

It’s anything but easy.

I recently spoke at the Engage Worship Conference in Sussex, NB, Canada. This topic was one of my main sessions. I believe it to be an essential conversation for anyone in ministry.

In framing today’s tension, I’m asking a few question:

• How do we keep our hearts fresh in the midst of a busy schedule?
• How do we build a ministry that lasts over the long haul and doesn’t succumb to burnout?
• How can we remain healthy – physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally – while giving ourselves fully to God’s work

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Whether you intend to or not, your life is telling a story.

Every decision you make contributes to the type of story you want to tell.

But most of us don’t think like that. Unfortunately, we coast from day to day without giving much thought to our lives.

As Michael Hyatt says, we spend loads of time planning our summer vacations, but hardly any time planning our life.

But this is probably the most important question you can answer.

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Are you addicted to achievement?

Our culture is. I am.

We work, we achieve, we get paid. We repeat the cycle.

Productivity seems to be the beginning and end of our lives. But when it comes to being a Christian leader, you need to remember one very important fact.

Achievement isn’t the goal.

God is.

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It doesn’t matter how talented you are.

It doesn’t matter if you’re the best in the world. When it comes to having an effective ministry, you need more than natural skill.

No, I’m not here to advocate laziness.

Of course, you should work on your guitar scales.

Of course, you should develop the discipline of songwriting.

Of course, you should go to the next level as a worship leader.

Effective ministry is never less than hard work. But it’s also so much more.

Why is this?

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Imagine this:

You are in charge. You have authority. The buck starts and stops with you.

You are a leader.

Breathe in the fresh air. You’ve arrived.

Leadership is wonderful. Until, of course, when it isn’t.

You can’t get volunteers to show up.

Your best people leave.

You don’t know where you’re going.

Nobody seems to be listening to a word you’re saying.

After a while, the leadership you always dreamed about has become an awful game of crises management.

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