Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 4: 1-2
As I was finishing my seminary training 15 years ago, I remember clearly being told that 10% of those who graduate with me will not make it past one year of ministry. In other words, after tasting what ministry is all about, they will quit and do something, no anything else. I remember clearly praying silently at that time, "Lord help me not to be one of those 10%!"
Why would folks go through all the pain of three plus years of graduate work, field training, and all the rest to quit soon after starting? Why do an estimated 50% of those who finish their training and work in ministry quit sometime before celebrating 10 years in ministry?
The obvious answer is that ministry is hard work. It has its own unique challenges. It is often demanding labor where obvious results are expected but little authority or power is given to make it happen. While it can be very rewarding, much of what happens in ministry goes unnoticed and is not appreciated. It is also an occupation without great financial reward. Most pastors and their families struggle at various times, particularly early in their career, to make ends meet. With a qualified pastor's skill set, they can make much more in a much easier fashion in other occupations. Furthermore, the work of ministry is never finished! After a successful Sunday, the next Sunday is always coming.
I know these pressures are not unique to those who are in paid ministry. I think many professional occupations share at least some of these characteristics. Yet, few share all of them.
I also think many of these characteristics (with the exception of being paid) mark all of ministry. If you are volunteering at a local church or mission, you will experience many of the same pressures. I would also argue you will have the same destructive tendencies that mark many in paid ministry.
What are these tendencies?
First, most people in ministry are intense people-pleasers. We love the passages of scripture that tell us to deny ourselves and serve. We love the appreciation of those we help. We long to be loved. In fact, we are more than happy to give up power and authority as long as we are loved!
Second, most people in ministry live busy lives. We like it that way! In fact, if we are not responsible for something, we feel like we are letting God, ourselves, and others down. Most people I know in ministry are in a constant struggle against the cultural tide of laziness and sloth. We do not want to be marked by laziness. We will often take on more responsibilities than we can handle because the tasks just need to be done. Tying into the first mark of those in ministry, we are busy and driven to achieve by our desire to be loved and appreciated by others.
Finally, most people in ministry talk about God all the time. What else would we talk about? We meet with people, prepare bible studies, preparing for preaching, and pray in public all the time. This is what is expected of us, and we are more than happy to do what is expected. After all, it might get us more love, it helps feed our busyness, and it just seems right (thus enhancing our reputation!).
I am sure there are other tendencies that mark those in ministry, but I think these big three will do for now. Are these tendencies bad? Of course not! Look at the other side of each tendency: we would be marked by careless disregard for the thoughts and opinions of others; we would be lazy, slow, and irresponsible; and we would not talk about God much. Obviously such a person should not last long in any ministry situation!
The problem is that these tendencies can and often do lead to a spiritual dryness that eats us away from the inside out. Not only is the job hard, but the natural direction of our soul is not toward wholeness and health. Our natural direction is away from finding our rest and strength in the Lord. Instead, we find it in the love and appreciation of others, in what we do and achieve, and in our outward reputation as a ministry leader. If we are not careful, we become a shell of ministry performance wrapped around a desert of spiritual life and vitality.
What happens then? We burn out. We find creative ways to "sin out" so we can be fired. We fake it until retirement. Or we experience revival and renewal by the Spirit to transform our hard hearts and our ministries that lack passion.
I think I will pick up on this theme next week! (Don't try running the race in these!)
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