5 Struggles In Ministry *
In NO particular order:
1. The Job Responsibilities:
Some things were explicitly stated within my “working agreement” and some things were not and yet they were nonetheless expected. This was difficult for me in some ways. Coming from a secular job, I always knew or was able to easily determine what specifically was expected and required of me. The scope of my old job seemed to be more clearly defined. I made a list, within my first month of full-time work, that had the explicitly stated or implied responsibilities to help me better manage my schedule, time and priorities.
2. The Balancing Act:
Coming from a job where the regular schedule often required over 80 hours per 7 or 8 day working period, I was intimate with the demands of long hours. Full-time ministry is different. In some ways, you have the ability to be more “flexible” in scheduling. There are no “set hours.” That is a blessing on the one side and hard to manage on the other. No matter what one’s formal education in preparing to preach, this is a struggle. As a new preacher, it takes a good deal of preparation time to be ready to teach and preach 4 times weekly. This does not factor in visits made to members of the congregation or studies with both members and non-Christians. Family cannot constantly be pushed to the back burner, even for the sake of a “good local work.” The balancing act between family and ministry is something that I have heard many good men cite as their biggest regret when it comes to ministry. I am aware that I have that tendency too and must prioritize “taking care of those in my own household” (1 Timothy 5:8) both physically and spiritually. This matters to God!
3. Stress
I am NOT, nor have I ever been much of a person to “stress out.” But in the last few months I have had physical manifestations that are directly caused by stress. The weight of this work is only able to truly be understood by the godly men that undertake it. The heaviness of teaching and preaching, though a calling and a work that I love, is deeply felt each time I stand before the congregation or even in private teaching. James 3:1 rings heavily in my ears each time I attempt to proclaim the manifold riches and depths of God’s Word. Sleep has been lost more in the last few months than ever before in my life. Sermon and study notes are in my mind often at night. I went from an individual who went to bed early, physically tired from a hard day’s work, to one who now stays up late and still gets up early due to stresses of the mind. It is not a lack of faith and trust in the One who is able to equip even the lowliest of earthen vessels. It is not because I seek glory and acclaim from the congregation or from the brotherhood. It is because I will stand before Almighty God and give an account for the man that I have been and for the way that I have proclaimed His Word. The thought of this causes reverence and even fear.
4. Stump the Preacher
This seems to be lots of people’s favorite game, both within the church and without. So far, I have been blessed in this regard. The vast majority of questions and comments are from well-meaning brethren, actively seeking the truth from the word of God. But there have been a few that I suspect were not from such motives. I am thankful that Scripture contains the answers. I am thankful for the godly men that have helped prepare me to give an answer through their teaching, writing, preaching and personal example. Before entering full-time preaching, I did not feel out of my depth in discussing my job. Not so with preaching. The more I study, the less adequate I feel. The inexhaustible vastness of the word of God is breathtaking. After pouring hours into study of a passage there is always something more to draw out and marvel at. Handling the questions of people in a God-honoring and biblically responsible way is a must; however, so is handling the people we deal with in ministry. Both can be very challenging.
5. Physical Considerations:
Housing, money, retirement, insurance. In no way do I want to be conceived as materialistic or money grubbing. I understand these things are superficial and are temporary at best. Yet I have a wife and several children who depend on me and the decisions that I make to support them. In many ways I believe the work of a full-time minister is easier for a single man in this regard. The apostle Paul would likely agree. I understand that “every good and perfect gift is from above.” And I trust God to providentially take care of my family and me. But I still have a role in that process as well. I do not expect a lavish lifestyle or fancy niceties, but I want to be able to give my children the things that they need. Taking this work was a bit of a step of faith in that regard. We left a position that afforded us much more in the way of financial considerations. In doing so, Matthew 19:29 was recalled many times. While there have been adjustments, God has taken care of us. Truly, “the Lord has done great things for us” (Psalm 126:3) as a family. He has done “exceedingly abundantly above all” I can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). I have NO reason to doubt him aside from my frail human mind and doubts.
TJI runs a very few select guest posts. This one is quite unusual in that it is anonymous. It was sent to us by a beloved friend of TJI and we share it with you in hopes that it will bless your life and ministry. - tji