Thinking about ministry today.
There are difficult parts. Probably the most difficult is the relationship aspect. A true minister has to go “all in” and often this is not reciprocated. There is an understanding that love and friendship must be given without the expectation of return.
I read an article by a church planter today that said this: “my mentors all told me: “Some of the people who start this with you won’t be here in a couple of years.”
I didn’t buy it. “Nonsense!” I said. “We will be the exception to the rule.” I figured that the time we’d spent building relationships would exempt us from having anyone leave.
I was wrong.
We’ve lost four members of our core team. Two were staff members and two were key volunteers. Every time this happened, it felt like having a tooth pulled without anesthesia. The familial bonds and shared memories made it incredibly painful. And in every instance, the crisis seemed to erupt right before I was getting ready to take some time off.”
This cannot dissuade the faithful. God heals the broken pieces. He loves the minister of the Gospel. The very epitome of friendship is exhibited through the love God shows to us. He is faithful and just.
When it boils down to it, ministry is not about money, status or friends, but about the success of His Church and the effective ministry of the Gospel of Salvation through a (sometimes broken) vessel.
Just remember that He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). And Proverbs 18:24 says “A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.”
To give up the possibility of pain in risking friendships would be to forfeit the priceless love and favor of God! In the end, it is worth the friendships made and the painful losses felt to rest in the assurance of God’s unfailing Love!