I was looking through my phone notes at some ideas I have jotted down over the last few months. Here are some of the things I wanted to remember, based on conversations and interaction with ministry leaders around the country.
Love your job – There is a big different between someone who loves his or her job and someone who is just doing it. I had a series of connections with people who genuinely seemed to love their ministry job. Of course there are challenges, long hours and some frustrations, but they loved the people, the mission and the ministry and it showed. When we take our job seriously and truly love the work we are privileged to do, the outcome is changed. Lisa was an example of this. You would almost describe her at giddy and bubbly as she talked about what she gets to do on a daily basis. It was a joy to serve with her in ministry. Her passion radiated as she interacted with our team and with others in her community.
Be bold in faith – I have seen a boldness in faith that has been inspiring. As the culture shifts to a more un-Christian state every day, believers are going to have to know what they believe for sure! And I think that rock solid belief is going to continue to create boldness in young ministry leaders. We have nothing to lose as we share the Gospel with people in powerful ways! We have to be bold.
Pray for a supernatural focus – Success in ministry comes from focusing on the important things each day. When you stack a day of focused faithfulness on top of a day of focused faithfulness, you eventually have a ministry that is reaching people for Christ in amazing ways. No matter where you are in the process, leave a legacy of focusing on the important things. We need to desperately pray for God’s guidance as we invest the hours we’ve been given each day.
Growth can’t be the goal – In a couple of the ministries I have been a part of recently, the leadership didn’t speak of growth. They spoke of changed lives, reaching people, reaching out, giving, leading, and serving – all of which produce growth. However, growth wasn’t the goal, reaching out was the goal. Growth was the byproduct.
Attract young adults through mission and service – I have already written about this – but the single best way to invite young adults into the church is to create opportunities for serving in ministry and mission. The millennials want to be involved in a hands on way. They want to share God’s love in the local community. They want their money to go to something tangible. We have to provide ways for them to engage in making a difference where they are.
We’re not yet who God wants us to be – I read Craig Groeschel’s book called Altar Ego. The premise of the book is that we are not yet who God wants us to be. That’s good news for ministry leaders. We are still growing. We are still being shaped and molded. And who knows but that everything that has happened to you up to this point in your life is for a future challenge far greater than imaginable. Don’t lost heart.
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