{"id":26320,"date":"2021-01-20T08:00:07","date_gmt":"2021-01-20T13:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/?p=26320"},"modified":"2026-07-11T13:09:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T17:09:31","slug":"honest-about-serving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/honest-about-serving.htm","title":{"rendered":"Let’s Get Honest About Serving"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sometimes people eagerly agree to serve in a church or ministry with hopes of making a difference only to have their expectations<\/a> and dreams of what it would be like dashed. Sometimes leaders, desperate to recruit workers, paint such a rosy picture that when something goes wrong, people feel disappointed and disillusioned with ministry. Sometimes seminaries and other training venues provide help with essential skills but fail to mention how, in real life, it’s not always as easy as steps 1,2,3. Inadvertently, we’re just not always being honest about serving.<\/p>\n

If We’re Being Honest About Serving We Must Admit Certain Realities<\/h2>\n

Serving will not always go smoothly.<\/em> People scheduled to help cancel at last minute. Costs for proceeding with what we’d like to do skyrocket above the budget. Equipment breaks. Not enough people show up to proceed with a planned activity. More people than we were prepared for attend. Distractions or disruptions happen.<\/p>\n

Serving will often take more time than we realize.<\/em> We may struggle to adequately prepare. The needs of those we serve may be greater than anticipated. If we aren’t careful, it can put a drain on family life or lead to personal burnout.<\/p>\n

Disagreements and conflict happen.<\/em> We may find ourselves faced with philosophical differences, theological disputes, or personality clashes. Not everyone we serve with will act and respond in a godly manner.<\/p>\n

We will not always be treated fairly or appreciated for what we do.<\/em> Deference may be given to individuals older or younger than us, of a certain gender or marital status, or in certain positions. Perhaps no one thanks us or even acknowledges all we do.<\/p>\n

Results and the reward of serving won’t always be apparent.<\/em> Not everyone will accept the truth. People won’t always change. We won’t always sense an immediate gratification. We may feel like we’re always giving but never receiving.<\/p>\n

It’s the Other Realities that Make Ministry Worthwhile<\/h2>\n

Face it. We live in a fallen world that affects our own attitudes and responses, that of leaders and fellow ministry workers, as well those we serve (Rom. 7:14-25; Gal. 5:13-17). We have an enemy, the devil, out to discourage and defeat, “looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Jesus Himself admits that we will have trouble in this world (Jn. 16:33).<\/span><\/p>\n

BUT, we have on our side One who has overcome the world (Jn. 16:33). He went before us and understands the problems we face, having endured so much worse yet persevered (Heb. 12:1-2). Fruitful ministry is not up to us but the Lord (Jn. 15:5).<\/p>\n

\"If<\/a>
\nThough ministry isn’t always easy, we can keep our “spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11) when we “labor in the Lord<\/strong><\/em>” (1 Cor. 15:58) through whom we “can do all things” (Phil. 4:13).<\/span><\/p>\n

In Him, through the strength He provides, ministry is worthwhile. It will not be in vain. In Him, we find the needed peace, perspective, and perseverance that enables us to rise above<\/a> the negative realities in serving. Abide in Him<\/strong><\/em> if you want fruitful ministry (Jn. 15:5).<\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58)<\/em><\/p>\n

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:9)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sometimes people eagerly agree to serve in a church or ministry with hopes of making a difference only to have their expectations and dreams of what it would be like dashed. Sometimes leaders, desperate to recruit workers, paint such a rosy picture that when something goes wrong, people feel disappointed and disillusioned with ministry. Sometimes seminaries and other training venues provide help with essential skills but fail to mention how, in real life, it\u2019s not always as easy as steps 1,2,3. . . . Continue reading Let’s Get Honest About Serving<\/span>→<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[78,77],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26320","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ministry-troubles","category-reflections-ministry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\t