Category Archives: Ministry Troubles

Previously we looked at how it is possible to persevere in ministry if we’re pulling on the right source to sustain and strengthen us.

If you’re struggling to persevere, take time to reflect on the following promises. Consider memorizing at least one verse that seems to most encourage you so you are able to recall it during moments of distress or discouragement.

Scripture Promises Related to Persevering:

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Rom. 5:3-4)

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Tim. 4:16)

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Heb. 10:36)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5:11)

… he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. (2 Pet. 1:4-7)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb. 12:1-3)

For more about ministry perseverance, check out the Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool which looks at God’s intent for us to thrive not just survive and includes some questions to guide you in a short Bible study about persevering. This resource includes eight other key element of doing ministry God’s way.

We’ve already looked at how ministry perseverance is the staying power to keep serving with patient endurance no matter what difficulties we face. We have so many things that can come against us in ministry that could bring discouragement, frustration, fear, stress, or a general sense of being overwhelmed.

• Disgruntled Ministry Workers
• Two Kinds of Sensitive: The Healthy Kind
• Two Kinds of Sensitive: The Unhealthy Kind

Ministry Troubles Needing Ministry Perseverance

Because our settings vary, as well as the people we serve, we can’t begin to provide an exhaustive list of troubles we might face in ministry. What feels like a hardship to one person might seem insignificant to the next because of our different personalities, giftedness, backgrounds, training, and so forth.

Here are some common problems we might face along with some articles that might help. For some broad perspectives of what we all need to persevere in these situations, order the Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool. That resource looks at nine different key elements involved in doing ministry God’s way with ministry perseverance being one of the elements.

Circumstances

• God, Greater Than All That Pertains to You
• Let’s Rise Above
• Ministry Troubles: Circumstances Beyond Your Control
• Ministry Troubles: Unexpected Change
• Correct Ministry Problems But Seek to Prevent When Possible

Conflict

• Attitude Toward Those Who Do Us Wrong
• Church Leadership Skill: Conflict Management
• Everybody makes mistakes. — How about a little grace?
• Ministry Troubles: Conflict
• Variety of Articles on Church Conflict

Lacking the resources

• Finances & The Way the Church Functions
• Difficult Times for the Church, Financially
• Ministry Troubles: Financial Hardships

Needy people

• Ministry Troubles: People’s Personal Problems

Resistance or criticism

• Obstacles in Becoming More Purposeful: Fleshly Resistance & Conflicts
• Hindrance of Resistance in Pursuing & Fulfilling God’s Purposes

Spiritual warfare

• Too Hard to Make It Through Life Without Peace – Part 5
• Strength for Spiritual Battles
• Biblical Principles for Spiritual Battles
• Obstacles in Becoming More Purposeful: Resistance in the Spiritual Realm

Time constraints and the busyness of life

• Prioritized Schedules: The Number One Priority
• Prioritized Schedules: The Second Priority
• Disciple-Making Schedules
• Sustainable Schedules
• Accountable Schedules
• Spiritually Productive Schedules
• Hindrances to Spiritual Productivity
• Effects of Our Personal Busyness on Church Life
• More Time Management Resources

Unfair or abusive treatment

• All Sorts of People in the Church
• Ministry Isn’t Always Fair!
• 5 Signs Ministry Leadership Has Turned Abusive
• 5 Signs Ministry Leadership Has Turned Christ-like

So much can come against us as we serve the Lord. How are we supposed to persevere? To be sure, some people will outwardly keep going by sheer will, perhaps feeling too guilty or ashamed to quit. But, inwardly they’ve given in to the frustration and despair. God, however, wants so much more for us as His servants. He instructs us, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Rom. 12:11-12).

To Persevere in Serving We Need the Right Source to Sustain and Strengthen Us

Only an eternal, omnipresent God will always be there. Only a great and almighty God will be strong enough to uphold and deliver us. Only a faithful God will stay true to us, even when we’re faithless (2 Tim. 2:13). Only a holy God can be trusted to be right all the time. Only a sovereign, omniscient God can give us the perspective we need.

• Because God is . . .
• Studying the Character of God Helps Us in Ministry
• Tapping into the Riches of God’s Knowledge

We can look at Moses of the Old Testament for an example. God called him to lead an impatient and stubborn group of people through the harsh conditions of a wilderness journey. Though wanting to give up on numerous occasions, we read that “he persevered because he saw him who is invisible” (Heb. 11:27). This is the kind of faith we need to persevere, not one that looks only at what we can see but one that focuses on our invisible yet very powerful and compassionate God.

The Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool lists four points about looking to God for what we need in order to persevere. That resource covers nine key elements to doing ministry God’s way, with ministry perseverance being one of those elements.

When we start talking about the need to persevere in ministry, it implies something isn’t quite going right. Let’s be honest, we tend to want God to make ministry easy, convenient, comfortable, and problem-free. Yet, God never promised perfect circumstances.

Jesus told us to expect problems in this world (Jn. 16:33). In an upcoming post we’ll look at some of the troubles we can expect in ministry. (Subscribe to be notified of new posts.) To be overcomers in ministry, we need to learn to persevere.

Ministry Perseverance is Staying Power

The word for perseverance in the New Testament Greek, hypomone, comes from the word “hupo” meaning under, and “meno” meaning to abide or remain. So, the literal definition of perseverance is remaining under. That’s staying power — patient endurance and steadfastness.

In short, ministry perseverance deals with being sustained and strengthened to keep serving no matter what we face or how we feel.

In addition to defining perseverance, the Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool points to the truth that God’s goal for persevering isn’t just to survive but to thrive. It also looks at some of the hardships we might face in ministry and what’s needed to persevere.

In a previous post we considered possible reactions to when ministry goes wrong. Let’s be honest. We don’t always have the healthiest reactions. Proper reactions stem from maintaining a good perspective.

When ministry doesn’t go as expected, ask yourself questions like the following and reflect on God’s Word:

Whose ministry is it?

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Cor. 3:3-7)

To whom am I responsible?

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Heb. 4:13)

To whom are others responsible?

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.  (Rom. 14:12-13a)

Having the Right Perspective Matters

When you have the right perspective going into ministry, you will know what to do. — You will faithfully do your part and trust God with the results. You might help others do their part by providing on-going training, equipping, or mentoring. But, you will recognize their responsibility before God as well and trust Him to keep working in and through them.

Ministry will not always go as expected. Then what? Do you have the kind of perspective that will enable you to be faithful in doing your part and then react properly both about yourself and toward others no matter what happens? Think about it!

If you struggle with perspective, check out the 40 Day Challenge to Help You Maintain a Healthy Perspective. Go even deeper with the Foundational Pillars of Truth Discussion Guides.