In 1945, two men with extraordinary gifts were preaching the good news of Jesus to thousands and thousands across the nation. Within ten years, only one of them was still on track for Christ. What were the two men’s names? Chuck Templeton and Billy Graham. Graham finished well.
In the forward to the book, The Weary Leader’s Guide to Burnout, Glenn Packium, author of The Resilient Pastor, writes, “It’s no wonder that when Barna asked pastors if they had seriously considered quitting vocational ministry, the percentage who said yes rose from 29 percent in January of 2021 to 38 percent in October of 2021 to 43 percent in April of 2022. The job is becoming more complex. Calling has a lot to do with this. What are we called to? Being faithful or being a success? What are the habits or behaviors of sustainability that are applicable to life and ministry, today? Here is what I have found over the years to be essential habits or behaviors for ministry resiliency.
1. Grow in your time of abiding in Jesus consistently
The key attribute and behavior for ministry sustainability is to understand that it is not about what you and I can do for Christ but what Jesus can and will do through us. It’s less about doing for Christ and more about being in Christ. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
2. Invite Jesus into your life/relationships/ministry constantly
We must continue to remind ourselves that this is Christ’s work in and through us so we must declare our total dependency on Him. “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God…” (2 Cor. 3:5).
3. Secure a comrade for support, accountability & prayer annually
Don’t do ministry and prayer alone! “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many” (2 Cor. 1:11).
4. Make time to come aside for rest, relaxing and re-creating weekly
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
5. Face into the “whispers” of the Past, then Press on to Jesus passionately
I found in my ministry over the years that Satan is the master of planting false narratives in my mind and then causing me to run from negative ministry phantoms. As I have had prayer partners both within and outside of the churches I serve, they have helped me discern fact from fiction.
6. Practice Self-awareness by checking Internal Gauges regularly
Check your Spiritual, Physical, and Emotional gauges. It is often emotional gauge that is neglected by most pastors. And when it is, siphons off from the other tanks as well. That’s the value of recreation and find ways to replenish yourself weekly.
7. Learn to Love well as you’re well Loved by your Father God
This is vital for healthy pastoral work. Living and serving from the reality of God’s love rather than as a deficit is always crucial. We are to live, loved! “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! We love because he first loved us” (1 John 3:1a, 4:19).
A Christian leader spent time with Billy Graham several years before his death. At the end of their time together, he asked him a question. “Of all the experiences in ministry, what did you enjoy most?” Thinking he might help him out, he asked Graham, “Was it your time spent with presidents and heads of states? Or was it…” Before he could finish, Dr. Graham swept his hand across the tablecloth as if to push his suggestions to the floor. Graham said, “None of that. By far the greatest joy of my life has been my fellowship with Jesus. Hearing Him speak to me, having Him guide me, sensing His presence with me & His power through me.” Keep growing in Christ!
John Howeth is the Regional Director of Longs Peak Baptist Association
