HEALTHY CHURCH: Seasons of Ministry (Part 2)

      There are stages we all go through and sometimes endure. These stages enable us to navigate different seasons of the ministry, such as a season of health and growth or sometimes a season of discouragement. Stages are linear, one follows the other, while seasons are cyclical and follow certain patterns. The three stages we have already written about are vision, prayerful planning and then challenges and trials. Trials and challenges can come in all shapes and sizes, such as spiritual warfare, family pressures, financial strains, unrealistic expectations, difficult people and even loneliness. Any one of these mentioned, and there can be others, can be devastating, but they do not have to be.

      The season of discouragement can be quite challenging and, if you are not careful, it can even be debilitating. This season can begin with a stage of crisis. Sometimes the crisis is decided for you because of a death, sickness or even sin in your life or the life of another in your ministry. Crises come in all sizes and shapes and can be both personal and institutional. The reality is that even personal crisis, if not dealt with correctly, will eventually impact your church. Crises will require you to seek the Lord in prayer and to also seek wise godly counsel. Personal crisis can be because of burnout, lack of spiritual depth, discouragement, family conflict and a host of many other attacks from the enemy.

      When trials begin and a crisis occurs, it can lead to the next stage of exhaustion and withdrawal. That is when the season can become very high risk if you do not walk with the Lord and lean upon others. Galatians 6:2 (HCSB) says, “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” God did not expect you to have to navigate difficult seasons alone. There are ways we can help one another with each other’s burdens. Listen to the advice Moses was given by Jethro, his father-in-law, in Exod. 18:17-18: “What you are doing is not good… You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot do it alone.”

      In this season of challenge and discouragement, you can become so weary that you may not want to continue, especially if you try to go through it alone. Who can you talk to? Where can you find godly and loving advice to help you during this time of crisis? There was a time in my first pastorate when we faced a conflict that overwhelmed me. I was actually considering if I even wanted to pastor anymore. I called someone who was a father in the ministry to me and shared my burdens and concerns with him. He invited me to come spend some time with him in order to pray, discuss and seek the Lord in the matter. That time with him, I believe, saved the ministry God had called me to because he enabled me to gain new perspective.

      How do you get out of the stage of exhaustion and withdrawal? Sometimes, the thing you need the most is rest and food. Make sure you are getting the sleep you need and that your diet is healthy and energizing. You should consider beginning a regimen of exercise by walking, getting out in the sun, stretching and even lifting some weights. In MD5 men’s discipleship, led by Dr. Steve Crawley, they stress five areas — Faith, Family, Finance, Friends and Fitness. You must also be ready to confess any sin issues in your life and then share your situation with trusted friends. Another option we sometimes do not consider is a prayer retreat to refresh your soul and to remember the calling God placed on your life.

      If the season you are in seems dark, the best place to turn is to the Lord. This is not in order to get a message or a word, but just to experience Him and allow His presence to minister to your soul. Begin by praising Him in song and devouring the Word of God. Make sure that He truly is Lord of your life, and that means He has the authority to be the leader of your life, your family and your church. Psalm 23:1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” That means we have everything we need in Him. He has the answers for us, and He has the strength to see us through. If He truly is Lord of our lives, He sets the direction, establishes our priorities and provides the resources to accomplish His will.

      Much has been said and written about leadership, but we are undershepherds and according to I Cor. 4:1-2, His managers who handle the day-to-day oversight of the resources He has placed under our care. We are all called to take what He has given us and do with it as He directs. Are you being a good manager of you? Are you taking care of your body, soul and spiritual life? Are you practicing proper soul care that you endure and persevere? If you are going to be a leader of others, you must first be a good leader of yourself and allow me to remind you of what Jethro said to Moses, “You cannot do it alone.” I would also add that God never asked you to do it alone either.

      This season of discouragement and challenge begins with a crisis and leads toward exhaustion and withdrawal, but there can be restoration and healing. God’s design is to mend our brokenness and equip us to serve Him productively again. There is hope, even during the darkest of times and when journeying through the lowest and most difficult of times. John Mark had quit, and Paul was done with him, but God was not. Paul later asked for John Mark to be brought to him because he was profitable for the ministry. You may be done with you, but God is not done with you. You can be restored, healed and healthy again!