In the work of replanting and revitalization, we have four keys to success: preach, pray, love, and stay. If you’re like me, you hear the first three and think “Absolutely. I can do those.” You may read the word ‘stay” and think, “Look man, I’m just trying to get through this coming Sunday without throwing in the towel.”
If that’s you, I promise you are not alone. Every pastor I know has been there at some point.
And yet the reality is that moving a declining or dying church to new life and health requires longevity. We will typically say it takes 5-7 years to make a lasting impact in the life of a church. Often, folks won’t even really consider you ‘their pastor’ until you’ve been in the church for 3 or 4 years.
So, we are desperately in need of pastors who are committed to staying for the long haul in even the toughest of places. Granted, it is much easier to talk about this than to live and work in these places. However, there are some practical ways to stay in a church for a long period of time.
1. Delete your resume
This first one may sound really scary. But I also think it’s one of the most important and simple practical steps you can take to stick around in a difficult ministry. After a rough Sunday morning, a bad deacon’s or business meeting, or a conversation with an angry church member, it can be far too easy to send out a resume that’s already prepared. So if you have a resume on your computer, go find it right now and delete it.
Yes, the Lord can move you to a new place. But, if I can speak from personal experience, when that time comes, He won’t need your help. He can connect you to a new place without your sending out dozens of resumes.
And, while I certainly want you to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit when and if it’s time to go, I also know that we sometimes confuse the Holy Spirit with an online ministry job board. I know this, because I’ve been there. There have been times when I’ve followed the Holy Spirit’s lead to a new place, and there have been times when I believe I got ahead of His plans and decided He needed some help. You can probably guess the situations that went well and those that didn’t. Delete that resume and wait on the Lord.
2. Find an encourager
You need someone in your life who will spur you on to trust Jesus on the hard days. And you need someone in your life who will encourage you to stick it out through a rough season of ministry. Go to your local association meetings. Attend meetings with your state convention as often as possible. Find someone who can speak life into you.
3. Be an encourager
You aren’t in danger of running into many people who are over encouraged in their lives. Just as you need an encourager in your life, there’s probably someone around you for whom you need to be that person. When at all possible, I’d encourage you to meet in person with someone else. If distance and life circumstances won’t allow that to happen, then set up text threads, phone call appointments, or video calls as often as possible. As you do, I think you’ll be encouraged as well – and that helps you do #2!
4. Find reasons to celebrate
A church that doesn’t celebrate will find things to complain about. As the leader, you can help set the tone on this. Look for reasons to celebrate in your church.
I’d encourage you to listen to this episode of Revitalize and Replant with Mark Clifton. Mark and Jonathan Smith from Texas Baptists discuss some really great practical ways to celebrate baptisms. It is well worth your time, and I think it could change how you and your church see the ordinance of baptism.
Look for other reasons to celebrate. Recognize a new couple or family who’s joined your church. Celebrate big wedding anniversaries and new babies and new jobs. Find some folks who are serving Jesus well in your church and celebrate them! Get creative, but don’t miss opportunities to point your people to how Jesus is moving in and through your church! It’s amazing what happens to a church that’s plateaued or declining when they suddenly have things to celebrate rather than complain about!
5. Keep your eyes on Jesus
Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us: “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Brother, for longevity you must stay focused on Jesus. James 1:2 tells us to count it all joy even when we face trials of various kinds. That trial might be a significant health issue you’re facing. It might be pushback or even hostility from the surrounding community. It might be a cranky deacon’s wife. There are all kinds of “various” trials we face.
This is the value of having an encourager in your life (tip #2): An encourager can help keep your eyes focused on Jesus. The Savior and Sustainer can lead you through even the hardest days of ministry.
I’ll leave you with these words from Paul: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:1-3)
Keep your eyes focused on Jesus. Find things to celebrate. Find an encourager for yourself and be an encourager to others. And, oh yeah, go ahead and delete that resume. Then plant your feet firmly in the soil of your church and community for the long haul.
Published September 16, 2024