Weary. Discouraged. Broken-hearted. Ready to throw in the towel. Burned out. Feeling like a failure. These are words I\u2019ve heard, and in truth, felt during my ministry.<\/p>\n
American pastors are so indoctrinated in our Western instant-gratification culture that despair and discouragement become tangible whenever results are delayed or unseen. The Covid pandemic did not help soothe these feelings. Congregations were scattered. Some didn\u2019t feel safe returning, while others, especially young families, disengaged and do not appear to be coming back. Churches saw mission trips and evangelistic programs derailed.<\/p>\n
For a church leader, this accentuates the feelings of failure.<\/p>\n
How do we combat this? As clich\u00e9 as it sounds, pastors must cling more closely than ever to the Word of God.<\/p>\n
We all know we should do this, but often we fail in this regard. One of the ways God has ministered to me over the past several months has been through my study of Philippians, first devotionally and then as preparation for my current sermon series. The truths contained there have been a balm for my wounded pastoral soul.<\/p>\n
The apostle Paul knew what it was like to face difficulty in his ministry. As quill hit parchment, he languished in prison, uncertain about his future. Yet the tone of this letter is both positive and joyful. In the first chapter, I discovered several truths that comforted my soul. I pray these principles minister to your soul as well.<\/p>\n
Lesson # 1 \u2013 God is not finished with you<\/strong><\/p>\n This lesson applies both to your ministry and your sanctification. Countless times during my 20 years in ministry, I have felt like a ministry or service was a failure, only to find that God was working below the surface beyond what the eye could see. Furthermore, often the Father uses difficulties and hardships to refine His ministers. This reminder came from Paul\u2019s words in Philippians 1:6. Paul writes, \u201cI am sure of this: that he who started a good work in you will carry\u00a0it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.\u201d Pastor, God is not finished with you or your church.<\/p>\n Lesson #2 \u2013 God wants you to love and pray for your flock more<\/strong><\/p>\n Your church members are His people, and you are charged to shepherd them. As the initial church re-openings started, some members returned, while others did not. Paul could not see the church there at Philippi because he was imprisoned, yet the depth of his love was on display for them as he wrote in Philippians 1:8, \u201cFor God is my witness how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.\u201d Verse 9 also expresses that their absence has kindled a fire of prayer from his heart for his people. Pastor, love and pray for your flock.<\/p>\n Lesson # 3 \u2013 Rejoice as the gospel advances in other places<\/strong><\/p>\n Christianity is, properly understood, a team game. Yet this is often not how it is viewed. Fleshly feelings of jealousy and envy often are the results of our hearing about successes in other churches in our city or our county. We rationalize their success, rather than simply celebrating the work God is doing there. Paul\u2019s imprisonment had caused an influx of brothers proclaiming the gospel. The motives ran the spectrum of pure to false, yet Paul knew that what was most important was proclaiming Christ and advancing the gospel. In 1:18, he writes, \u201cWhat does it matter, only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed and in this, I rejoice.\u201d It doesn\u2019t matter if the success occurs at your place or a mile down the road. Pastor, rejoice in gospel successes around you.<\/p>\n