Some Honest Reflections on Ministry

by Grady King – 

As you know, I am blessed to work with many church leaders in HOPE Network. Most of my time is spent coming alongside of ministers and elders. I cannot think of a time in my life that ministry is needed and more demanding emotionally. I found some notes from a farewell series, From My Heart to Yours at the Mansfield Church of Christ. The series was more than just my time with Mansfield. It is reflecting honestly on 40 plus years of ministry. Most ministers would say, “Amen!”

Faith has never come easy for me—some doubt has always plagued my soul.

• Doubt is a part of faith.
• It is the Word of God that actually speaks to my doubt and faith.
• Insecurity and inadequacy are unwelcome friends in my spirit.

Church people are crazy.  All families have crazy.

• We are all broken…the effects of sin are cosmic, systemic and personal. Some know it more than others.
• If it wasn’t for Jesus, I would be a full-blown cynic.

Being liked as a minister is over-rated.

• There is great futility in trying to make people happy—rejection is reality.
• I do not like all people equally.
• The struggle of insecurity and identity is a constant in the trenches of life.
• Saying “NO” is not easy, but necessary.
• What really matters is on a small list—Think “first Importance”

Time matters.

• Too much time with church people and not enough with pre-Christians.
• Too much time doing ministry rather than equipping for ministry.
• Discipleship is much more needed than new programs.
• Sabbath is not optional for anyone to love God and others.

“ ….set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching.  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.  Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.  Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.” I Timothy 4.12b-16

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash