Connect09

I wonder what great expectations people have in their ministry. And are we ready for the long haul? Do we have stamina to persevere or do we give up easily when faced with opposition?

Having just read Joseph Smith’s (no relation - I don’t think) review of the movie titled “Amazing Grace” it is incredible to read how passionate Wilberforce was to use his time in parliament to change laws. One of his aims was to abolish slavery. It wasn’t an overnight change. From Joseph’s account it took Wilberforce 16 years of lobbying to eventually abolish slavery.

Similarly in our churches. When there is a desire to implement something new or change something old, the wheels can at times seem to turn ever so slowly. (Aside: I am not complaining about my current or past churches. It is just a general observation.)

So my question is what personal philosophy do you hold on to that helps you through times when progress in church (or work) seems a little slower than desired.

What strategies do you use to keep motivated? (I am wanting to add to my kit bag of strategies for perseverance.)

Proverbs 9:8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
My aim is to listen to criticism and to test if it is godly.  If the criticism is of a godly nature then change accordingly.  If the criticism is from an ungodly motive then ignore it.  It is more important to fear the Lord more than men, but it is also important to listen to godly counsel.

In the last 6 months I have received a fair amount of feedback.  Some complaining that I use too much Bible and not enough entertainment.  However I’m doing Children’s ministry and the feed back has come not from the children but from opponents to the gospel.  The children were engaged and are still talking about the ministry 6 months later in a positive light.  So although the criticisms may way heavy in my mind I will try to ignore feedback that tries to get me to waterdown the Bible.

Thax <><

Hi Craig,

It’s really great to hear that the children are responding well to your Bible-emphasising method.
We don’t want kids or teens to come to church just because they’re going to have a fun time.....that way leads not only to high turnover of attendees/numbers, but also to lack of growth in the fruit that will last.
We want kids or teens to come and keep coming to church because they know they’re going to have a fun time learning about God, about Jesus, and about the Bible!!

I strongly exhort you:
DON’T take ANY notice of critics that tell you to be more entertaining at the cost of watering down the gospel!  (What do they know, anyway??!?)

Any feedback that tries to stop you faithfully, clearly and comprehensively preaching the good news of Jesus to kids or big kids is earthly, unspiritual and of the devil.  Don’t pay attention to ONE WORD of it!!

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
- ROMANS 1:16

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
- 1 CORINTHIANS 2:2-5

Thanks Craig and Tia.

Checking if feedback is Godly is a great strategy to keep things objective and reduce the chance of reacting to what might feel as personal attacks.

When I first accepted to coordinate the children’s program at church I made myself sit down and work through some personal philosophies to help me keep on target. (I knew there was potential for me to become a grumpy burnout out leader very quickly.) You may or may not like them yourself.

* be positive
* you have an opinion that’s worth hearing
* do not be sarcastic to anyone/anytime
* if feeling stressed take time out (away from others)
* always be open with your team
* be honest with your views (don’t bottle things up)
* when preparing a new concept have a plan to cope with “no” responses
* be prepared for something new to take 12 months before being accepted/adopted by the church
* be determined to the end.

You may think some of the above ungodly and far too human focussed. Some of it is to tackle my own insecurities about being a worthy leader. (There are others who are more capable than myself in experience, wisdom, strength of character.) But we all have to start somewhere.  ;-)

I don’t know if the above list answers my original question on this thread or not?

I’m still interested to hear what others do to keep themselves on target, to persevere, to not give up when things get tough.

Maybe another approach to encourage discussions could be to ask are you passionate about some new direction in your ministry? Share it here and obtain encouragement to keep on pursuing it.

Or is there something you have been trying to implement and you’ve reached a sticking point - you want to give it up. We could act as your agony aunt and bounce ideas back to you. Just a thought.

Do you have a personal motto or mantra that keeps you motivated in your ministry. So when things get tough what do you tell yourself?

Maybe you like Monty Python’s “Always look on the bright side of life.”

or what about “Don’t worry be happy.”

or “Every cloud has a silver lining.”

or “The sun will come out tomorrow.”

I don’t have a catchphrase, but in my ten years (so far) of children’s ministry, I always try to remember that it is in God’s time, not mine.  Sometimes it’s easy to get discouraged, wonder why on earth I ever thought I could do this, that I just can’t get through to them, then I (usually) remember that God will open their ears, hearts and minds, when HE is ready.  My job is to just keep doing the best I can, so that when God is ready, they will have His word available to them via me.  So I guess my phrase would be “In God’s time”
Jean

Thanks Jean.

That phrase is so “freeing.” In God’s time. When we remember this we stop stressing out about what we have or haven’t done. We can relax and wait and see how God will work in other people’s lives. I have to constantly remind myself of phrases like this in my children’s ministry. Sometimes I lean toward too much “doing” and not enough “waiting” on God.

Thanks for the encouragement.

You can’t beat 1 Corinthians 15:58, Heather

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.

Thanks David and Amen!