Resilience in Ministry

If you have been in ministry for more than a week, you can relate to this blog topic. All of us want to see people discipled and the gospel of Jesus spread to every part of the world. if we are honest, we have all been disappointed. Maybe things didn’t play out the way we imagined, whether that is people, location issues, or building systems for growth. Perhaps there was a pandemic that affected the momentum of the church. The questions are: How easily do you bounce back from a disappointment? & What is your reaction to change?

Change is a fact of life. Biologists define a living organism as something that moves (among other factors). Regardless of the type of organism – human, animal, or even something microscopic – a change comes as movement takes place. When movement happens, change happens.

When change occurs, the status quo is dealt a blow. The pushback a church leader gets, even from well-intentioned members, requires maturity and resilience.

Resilience is a skill we need to develop. 

In order to stay on course and on mission for the long haul, we should master the art of resilience. Resilience is an ability that is more valuable than we may understand. Here are some points to ponder and put into action:

Develop your understanding of resilience.

● Ministry life is something that you can either go through or grow through. Resilience requires the willingness to grow and adapt.

● Ministry life has peaks and valleys. I wish it was always an upward trajectory but it’s not. It is always changing. If you’re able to accept this, you’ll find that you’re more motivated to get curious about the lessons of each moment.

● You’re not born with resilience, but you can develop this skill.

Take responsibility.

● It is impossible to be perfect. Shoot for excellence but rest in doing your best. The reality is we all make mistakes. Admitting that you are human and make mistakes will increase your resilience.

● Apologize when you need to. This takes humility and courage, and it will strengthen all of the relationships in your
life.

● Get curious about the role you play in every part of your life. Even if someone wronged you, take an inward look regarding your behavior and reaction. Simply look at the situation so that you can learn from it and move forward.

● Let go of any resentment. It can be challenging to move forward when we try and carry the weight of ministry. We were not designed to do ministry alone. Get a truth-teller n your life. When you have this type of relationship, you will be more capable of letting go, forgiving, and focusing on the mission at hand.

Self Awareness is vital.

● Begin with the basics. Take care of your body, mind, and soul. We all want to do great things for the Kingdom. If we don’t practice self-care, we won’t be of much use for ministry. Take a moment to reflect and see if there is an area of your life that is off-balance. Now, make the needed changes. 

● Pay attention to the patterns of critical self-talk you play in your head. Replace these negative phrases with the Word of God and positive affirmations or even some of your favorite quotes. 

I close this blog post with a scripture that I hope encourages you big time!