Category Archives: Ministry Troubles

Just because we serve in a Christian environment doesn’t mean we won’t encounter potential for doubts or breaks in integrity. Prepare to face temptation. Even our Lord Jesus was tempted (Matt. 4:1-11).

Types of Temptation in Ministry

We learn of it in the news: Pastors engage in adultery. Youth leaders sexually abuse teenagers. Treasurers or other ministry staff get caught embezzling. Maybe you feel you would never give in to those kinds of sins but given the right circumstances, the temptation may present itself.

Not all temptations have dire consequences so we may not be as prepared to resist things like …

lying to save face.
taking shortcuts to make your life easier.
bragging to make yourself look good.
gossiping to make others look bad.
etc.

What to Remember to Be Prepared When Tempted

We have an enemy, the devil, looking for someone to devour (1 Pet. 5:8). To destroy the work of God, he’ll piggyback on our sin nature, putting temptation in our way. Remember that we don’t have to give in to flesh and the devil. To resist, however, we must stay alert and keep submitting ourselves to the Lord in all situations (1 Pet. 5:8-11). Though temptation is “common to mankind”, we have a faithful God who knows what we can bear and provides a way out (1 Cor. 10:13).

Since we still have that old sin nature, there will unfortunately be times we forget to pull on His strength and provision and give in to temptation. Again, we must remember that we have a faithful and just God. “If we confess our sins,” He “will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9). That doesn’t mean we won’t face consequences so the objective should always be to stay alert and keep submitting ourselves to the Lord in all situations, so we don’t yield to temptation.

Just because we serve with other Christians, doesn’t mean we’ll always get along and agree with each other. Prepare for possible conflict.

Reasons We Need to Be Prepared to Face Conflict with Fellow Christians

Think of the mix of people in your group. We come together with …

different personalities and personal styles which leads to different approaches.

varying backgrounds which means varying preconceived ideas.

Add to this mix our self-centered human nature which wants its own way, and we’re bound for conflict if any among us fails to walk by the Spirit.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? (James 4:1)

What to Remember When Facing Conflicting Approaches and Ideas

God designed the Church to best function when we bring all of our differences together and learn from one another. We grow through the contribution of each part (Eph. 4:16). With this perspective, we work through our differences rather than let them divide us. For that to happen, however, we need to put on the new nature (Eph. 4:22-27). Then we will heed the exhortation to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phil. 2:3-4)

We can’t control the words and reactions of others. While we do have a responsibility to help them see the error of their ways, they are ultimately accountable for what they do (Gal. 6:1-5). God doesn’t expect us to “fix” others but rather to encourage and warn as needed (1 Thess. 5:14). Be prepared to face conflict by remembering this verse about your personal responsibility: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Rom. 12:18)

When faced with conflict, our attitudes and emotions can get in the way of resolution. Remember these verses about the need to guard our heart (Prov. 4:23) in conflict: “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” (1 Jn. 4:20-21)

For additional help dealing with conflict, check out these resources: Conflict Management & Resolution Resources

Just because we serve the Lord doesn’t mean all will go well. Be prepared to face obstacles along the way.

Be Prepared to Face These Types of Obstacles in Ministry

Sometimes ministry will affect us personally when we find it …

• demanding, often inconvenient.
• stretching, taking us outside of our comfort zones.

Sometimes we will face limitations like …

• a lack of resources.
• people who don’t want to grow spiritually.

Sometimes we will meet with resistance from people who ….

• don’t want change.
• disagree with us.

What to Remember When Facing These Hurdles

If serving for any length of time, you undoubtedly experienced at least one, maybe even all, of the above scenarios. If not, you probably will at some point so prepare yourself for this reality.

Even Jesus acknowledged, “In this world you will have trouble” (Jn. 16:33). Obstacles, however, don’t have to stop us from serving. Jesus went on to say, “But take heart! I have overcome the world”.

We need to remember that God doesn’t leave us to our own strength or wisdom to hurdle these roadblocks. Consider memorizing the following Scripture verses so you can readily reflect on them and be prepared to obstacles.

To keep discontentment and discouragement from taking over, pull on the strength God provides to rise above.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Josh. 1:9)

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. 4:12-13)

To keep from making obstacles even worse, pull on the wisdom God provides.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

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. This disgruntled child 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?

Also Read:

• Discontent or Discouraged in Serving?
• Not Finding Much Joy in Ministry?

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.