My Job Is Hard

It’s hard. The leaders are negative/lazy/not supportive. The members are lethargic. The church is struggling. I my efforts don’t seem effective or seem to matter to anyone. Some weeks I find myself so discouraged. My sermon prep seems directionless and my outcome seems always corrective and negative. I feel guilty even saying it, but some days I think I hate my job. It is so much less of why I got into this and so much more of why I didn’t. 

Maybe it’s time for a re-set.

Yes, it is hard. Harder than anyone who is watching understands. They think you stand up and talk for a few minutes each week and make bank. They don’t know the hours you prepare, the emotion you invest, the other ministry that you do. 

Yes, sometimes leaders are not what you wish, but a big part of your ministry is to gently guide those who lead you, to challenge them to be more, to help them be better. And, while you may never see the fruit of it, others will glow by the embers you stoke. 

Yes, oftentimes members can be lethargic. Challenge them. Love them. Give them meaningful opportunities to serve. Think hours and work more hours creating great events they will want to pour their energies into. 

You may not know why you are there, but God does. It may be one soul you touch, one spirit you enliven, one life you change and you can never know this side of eternity how many they will impact. You are there to be God’s Man in that place for a while. Be it. Even on the most taxing of days, be God’s Man. 

Our work often seems ineffective, but I assure you it is valuable. If you are faithfully doing His Will you ARE effective and it does matter. Truth be told, it probably matters to a number where you are, they may be poor at expressing it or understanding how even preachers need encouragement but they love you and what you do. 

My, how discouragement grows. It’s like yeast in bread. It does seem to expand every negative thing well beyond the reality of itself. Can I challenge you to ignore its voice one day at a time? Keep moving forward. Get out, don’t stay in. Do stuff, don’t “not do” stuff. Find some people who will uplift you and have lunch with them once a week. 

Yes, so much of ministry is not what we expected but Saban is right: “It is what it is.” Do the work you are in, God probably has you there for a bigger reason than you can see. You may be the only minister some of those people ever see. You may the only person who loves them purely. Be that man. 

Oh, and decide, determine, get some grit, and LOVE YOUR JOB! Better yet, stop calling it a job, LOVE YOUR MINISTRY*. 

God bless you! Know we love you and pray for you. 

*Thanks to Jerry Elder for this line.