Category Archives: Ministry Troubles

Lined across the front of the platform during a worship service, a group of children joyfully move, singing their special song with motions. That is, except for one little boy people can’t take their eyes off. He stands there with a furrowed brow, arms tightly crossed in front of him, and not opening his mouth the whole time. His body language speaks volumes. He clearly doesn’t want to be there.

Now let’s think about ourselves and how we come across to those we serve. Do people get the message that we want to be there with them? How open are we in both our posture and words? Are we communicating that we care? Does joy exude from our being? Or, do we come across similar to that disgruntled little boy?

Focus Tends to Go to the Disgruntled Ministry Workers

Just like our attention keeps getting drawn to that one little boy, so it is human tendency to pick out those who aren’t doing well in ministry.

We need to heed the Apostle Paul’s instruction to the Thessalonian church “to acknowledge those who work hard among you” (1 Thess. 5:12-13). Let’s not neglect to extend our appreciation and gratitude to people who are serving with the right attitudes, actions, and words. Let’s put some focus on the good, and not let the one or two disgruntled ones distract us.

And, since disgruntled ministry workers can not only pull attention off of those who are doing well, but also negatively affect the big picture, we need to continue on with Paul’s instruction. He said, “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” (1 Thess. 5:14)  — See and respond to the inner need behind the disgruntled exterior.

A Word for All of Us About Our Attitudes

If you are like the boy: You may have legitimate reasons for feeling disgruntled about your place of service but your attitude could do damage to the cause of Christ. Others will notice and get distracted from where they need to be focused. Don’t, however, repress your feelings or simply put on a front. Rather, ask God to search your heart and work in you a change of attitude and an ability to deal with the issue in a godly manner.

If you are the recipient of someone who doesn’t want to be there: Remind yourself that this is one person. Try not to judge everyone because of a bad experience with an individual or two. You’ll miss the big picture of good that is going on around you.

If you are the ministry leader with someone who doesn’t want to be there: Do you know why their attitude is such? Have you taken the time to come along side of this person to listen, encourage, and spur him/her on?

How will we live out 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 with one another?

Whether teaching, leading, or serving in any other capacity, we face situations that could seemingly limit what we can do in ministry. Before we despair, let’s remember that we serve a creative God who wants us to join Him and not be limited by what is seen or known to us. God might simply want us to go in a different direction.

We put our faith in a God “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Eph. 3:20). Remember, “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1).

Are finances tight? Get creative.
Are facilities less than ideal? Get creative.
Are schedules busy? Get creative.
Are workers few? Get creative.

An Acrostic about Getting Creative

We’re talking about creativity guided by a creative God. So, ask God to guide you in the process and to open up the realm of possibilities before you. This acrostic shows what He might use to help you be creative:

C – Challenge: going beyond what is comfortable

Don’t be afraid to step our in faith and take risks.

R – Resourcefulness: thinking through alternative means or uses

Don’t get locked into tradition.

E – Experimentation: trying something out of the usual

Don’t be afraid to try something on a trial basis.

A – Adaptability: willing to make changes

Don’t be rigid and stick with the way you’ve always done it.

T – Teachableness: continuing to learn

Don’t assume you’ve ever arrived.

I – Imagination: brainstorming all sorts of possibilities

Don’t be bound by logic or past experience.

V – Variety: using different means

Don’t do things the same way every time.

E – Evaluation: seeking how you can improve

Don’t forget to learn from what you’ve done.

May we trust our all-knowing and all-wise creative God to guide us. May we depend on our all-powerful creative God to enable us to go where He leads us.

Ministry troubles can come from a variety of sources but how we deal with them might vary depending on the cause. Ideally we should seek to prevent problems but that isn’t always possible as some issues in ministry aren’t a result of our own choices or actions, though sometimes they might be.

Causes of Ministry Problems and How to Prevent or Correct Them

Whether preventing or correcting problems, looking at the cause can help us determine how to proceed.

1. Sometimes we inherit problems already in existence when we became involved.

Prevent: Obviously we can’t prevent pre-exiting problems. We can turn down the ministry opportunity because of it but sometimes we’re not aware issues exist until we get involved. Or, we can accept the challenge, under God’s leading, and with His wisdom and power rise above and perhaps even help rectify the problem.

Correct: When getting involved in a ministry with pre-existing problems, we must move cautiously and slowly. Initially we should do little other than observe and learn more about the situation. We should build relationships and meet people where they are. Then we can gradually introduce change, under God’s guidance, as we are able. Read: Eph. 4:2, 32; 1 Thess. 5:11-22; Heb. 10:24; 1 Pet. 3:8-11; 5:5

2. There may be times we’re the one who makes a mistake leading to some fallout. We may have made a wrong decision, an error in judgment, perhaps something that had a number of “good” or “acceptable” choices and we didn’t choose the best.

Prevent: Before making any decisions, we should pray first so we’re not leaning on our own understanding but rather fully trusting the Lord to guide us (Prov. 3:5-6). We can learn to be more discerning by regularly studying and aligning with God’s Word (Heb. 5:14) and following the way of love (Phil. 1:9-10).

Correct: The best thing we can do is humbly admit we made a mistake. Pride will keep us from changing course or re-building bridges in relationships that may have suffered as a result of our mistake. Read: Ps. 139:23-24; Prov. 19:20, 25

3. Sadly we might act or react contrary to God and His ways due to our old sin nature.

Prevent: When we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:16-23).

Correct: We need to confess our sin to God and others, and make amends. We must rely on God to change us from the inside out by His grace and power. Read: 1 Jn. 1:5-10; Matt. 5:23-25; Jn. 8:10-11

4. Others may sin or make mistakes, that has nothing to do with us, but causes problems in our sphere of ministry.

Prevent: Apart from denying others opportunity to be involved in the same ministry we’re in, which goes contrary to God’s ways, we have to accept the reality that we live in a fallen world, the consequences of which will even affect the Church and ministries. But, we can also do our part to spur others on the love and good deeds, seeking to build them up in their walk with God, and encouraging them to walk in the Spirit so they are more prone to align with God and His ways. And, we certainly can pray for people in our sphere of ministry … regularly, not just when they’re in crisis or problems arise.

Correct: God encourages us to talk with people privately in ways that lovingly speak truth into their lives, always enveloping any confrontation in prayer, fervently asking God to work in their hearts. Read: Eph. 4:15; Gal. 6:1-2; Heb. 10:24; James 5:13-16

Let’s remember Jesus’ words so we have a realistic view of ministry. He said, “In this world you will have trouble.” We may not always be able to prevent problems. But, we can have perspective and act and react in a Christ-like manner when we grasp hold of Jesus’ next statement. — “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33) — In Him, there’s a way forward.

We know life isn’t always fair, but ministry???? Shouldn’t we be able to expect ministry to be fair? Shouldn’t Christians be different than the world?

Reality Check about Fairness in Ministry

If we go into ministry expecting everything to be perfect, we’ll be in for some major disappointments. There will undoubtedly be times when …

we do most of the work and others are recognized more than us.

we get accused of something we never said or did.

we come up with the idea and someone else gets credit for it.

we are allocated less money in the budget to our area than a less established program.

etc., etc.

We must go into ministry knowing that we are serving alongside of fellow human beings who, like us, aren’t perfect. But, we must also know that we serve a God who is always just.

A Just God Even When Ministry Isn’t Fair

We serve a just God who sees all and knows all and always does what is right.

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. (Deut. 32:4)

God may not step into the situation immediately with judgment and correction, but eventually He will right the wrongs. Perhaps we will never see what He does. He may wait until heaven. God is under no obligation to respond to our questions about His ways and timing in exercising His justice. (Take time to read Job 38-42 for God’s response to Job’s “why” questions.) But, we can trust Him to see the big picture and work for our good (Rom. 8:28). He not only has the knowledge and wisdom to know the right timing and way to take care of matters (Isa. 55:9), but He also has the ability to do that which is right and best.

What God Expects of Us in Unfair Situations

Though others may not be fair, God still wants us to do what is right and just. — “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” (Prov. 21:3) We’re accountable before Him for what we do. And, there will be a day of accounting for those who do us wrong. We don’t have to avenge ourselves.

When we truly believe in a just God, we’re able to let go of resentment, revenge, and regret when ministry isn’t fair. When we keep the focus on serving out of love for God and others, we don’t need life and ministry to be fair. It’s when we make it about ourselves, that we struggle. When, however, it isn’t all about ourselves, we can wait for God’s “well done good and faithful servant” knowing that “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you helped his people …” (Heb. 6:10).

Ever have the ministry blues? We may find ourselves discontent or discouraged in serving if we’re missing some important internal components inherent to contentment and encouragement in ministry.

What’s Missing When We Find Ourselves Discontent or Discouraged in Serving?

1) Joy

Sometimes the stresses and anxieties of life seep into ministry. People may let us down. Circumstances may not be as we wish. Ministry, yes, even ministry, may not seem fair. Yet, when we rejoice “in the Lord” (Phil. 4:4), rather than trying to find joy in our circumstances, we can “rejoice always” and “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

• Reflecting the Joy of the Lord in Ministry
• Not Finding Much Joy in Ministry?

2) Significance

Sometimes we don’t feel like what we do is very important compared to what others do. Or, perhaps we do think it matters but don’t get much appreciation from others. When we find our significance in and because of God’s grace (1 Cor. 15:10), however, we begin to realize that no matter the size or type of ministry, what we do does matter, even if others fail to take notice.

• Significance Because of God’s Grace
• Remembering We are Finite Helps Us Serve Better
• Just a Church Secretary? Ouch!
• Just a Teacher’s Helper? Ouch!
• Just a Nursery Worker? Ouch!
• Just a lay person? Ouch!

3) Perspective

Sometimes we do what we should do but obstacles and troubles still come. Even though we trusted God, things still went wrong so we get discouraged. To gain the perspective we need, we must gain a bigger and fuller view of God. Though He’s powerful enough to prevent or fix problems, He’s also sovereign and wise. He knows the beginning from the end. He truly does have the ability to work all things “for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28). The more we cease striving and acknowledge that He’s God (Ps. 46:10), though we don’t understand, we can find peace and contentment in the darkest days.

• Ministry Blues? Reflecting on an Eternal God will Help!
• Hopeful in Ministry?
• Ministry Isn’t Always Fair!

Overcoming Discontentment and Discouragement

You’ll find the antidote for each of the above components mentioned above. First, however, …

1) Identify why you are discontent or discouraged, remembering the following verses about the need for God to guide this process:

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps. 139:23-24)

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Prov. 16:2-3)

2) Look to God to supply what you lack, remembering the following verses about God as the Source of all we need:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:11-13)

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Phil. 4:19-20)

3) Continue praying about it, remembering the following verses about how God will be there for you:

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. (Ps. 55:22)

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isa. 26:3-4)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)