Thriving in Ministry over the Long-haul

"People-pleasing, intense busyness, God-talk but no heart...

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."

Greg Selmon, "My last post!"

Ministry in all of its forms is difficult.  Without nourishment in the gospel, burn out is a constant threat.  How do we prosper through decades of ministry?  How do we run the race and thrive?

To answer the question, Covenant Seminary's Center for Ministry Leadership just completed a study funded by the Lilly Endowment.  They concluded that there are five essential themes that mark those who thrive and complete ministry over the long-haul.

First, those who minister must focus on their spiritual growth and formation.  All to often, those who minister replace talking about God with learning how to walk in repentance and faith.  We must constantly learn how to walk behind the Great Shepherd before we can be an under-shepherd in the Kingdom.

Second, those who minister must focus on taking care of themselves.  I know it sounds spiritual to disregard your own health and well-being for others.  Yet, if you do so, you will not continue in ministry long-term!  We must take care of your body, nurture and grow true friendships (something difficult for those in leadership), and regularly review and maintain our emotional, physical, mental, social, and spiritual lives.

Third, those who minister must develop solid emotional and cultural intelligence.  I will deal with these important tendencies in another post.  Overall, this tendency means that we continue to develop and work on identifying and managing our emotional and cultural tendencies and biases.

Fourth, those who minister must maintain a healthy marriage and family dynamic.  Doing so is part of the ministerial calling, not something that is done in our spare time.

Fifth, those who minister must develop and grow in their ability to lead and manage people and systems.  This is one area where seminary training often is lacking, yet it is an area where many pastors and leaders spend much of their time.  Because many of us are people-pleasers, we are fearful of leading because it can cause conflict.

How are you surviving ministry?  Are you setting yourself up to fail in the long-term because you are neglecting the short-term maintenance and growth that will sustain you?  What do you do to allow the Fountain of Life to water your constantly drying and weary soul?