Receive Free Monthly TeachingQuestion:
Fulfillment and Frustration
As a pastor, what do you find to be the most fulfilling part of your ministry? What is the most frustrating thing you experience in ministry? How do you keep the frustrating part(s) from getting you down?
Responses:
Pastor Stan Saunders – Chillicothe, MO
The most fulfilling part of ministry is helping a person who is far away from God in becoming a spiritually mature zealot for the cause of Christ. The most frustrating part of ministry is changing the stinky diapers of twenty year old baby Christians. We train our seasoned saints to feed themselves, so we can give our time and attention to the true babes in Christ. This reduces the frustration. There is nothing more refreshing in ministry than giving birth to new believers and helping them grow in Christ. There is nothing more frustrating than when supposed mature believers act like adolescents.
Pastor Thom Fields – Kennewick, WA
In my world, nothing compares to witnessing true transformation in the life of any given individual. When the eyes of our understanding are enlightened and suddenly we are enabled to clearly see that which had been previously unseen, fulfillment begins to flow.
A young couple in our church comes to mind even as I write this response. They came to our church 3 or 4 years ago and it was immediately apparent that they were in trouble in many areas of their life. Their countenance was so low and it was painful to view their incredible lack of any joy, peace, or comfort. However, it wasn't long until they were soaking everything in like a couple of sponges. As they began their journey as Followers of Christ, their passion for Truth became a driving force. In the beginning, their lives, like most of their possessions, were a mess but their ability to desire something better was healthy and intact. To make a long story short, today they are taking advantage of every training session they can sneak into and are quickly growing into inspired leaders and true servants in the house. They've successfully repaired their marriage, built a lucrative business that employs several others and catapulted themselves not to a "new level" of life, but into a totally "new lifestyle" altogether - one that glorifies God. This is what I LOVE about my job!
The frustration of my job, on the other hand, is watching people suffer needlessly. It's frustrating to share insight and revelation on a weekly basis with individuals who have no real commitment to actually applying any of the Godly instruction they receive. They are satisfied with information and unaware of the possibility of transformation.
We are faced with a society that is very "consumer oriented." Many come to church expecting only to be entertained and occasionally inspired. They're not actually looking for the opportunity to change and grow; therefore, they often accept a life that is less than the God-Life that is available to them. They unfortunately have yet to realize that we have more life than death, more joy than sorrow, more health than sickness, more prosperity than poverty, more hope than despair, and the product of their life is a daily manifestation of ignorant defeat. THAT IS FRUSTRATING!
I truly don't mind the day-to-day issues with carnality and pettiness amongst people who are open to change. It's the ones that wish to justify their lifestyle and dig their heels in that really offend me.
Every day ministry offers the opportunity to demonstrate satan's defeat and I LOVE IT! Problems aren't the issue...Belief Systems are. Realizing that some people are ready for change and others just simply aren't helps me to stay focused on the fulfilling part of the ministry. I constantly look for the people who are truly pressing in and I throw myself into assisting them develop a life-style that will humiliate hell. I have learned to refuse myself the luxury of developing series of teaching that comforts the satisfied. I preach and teach to the top 10 percent and allow the rest to listen in. I attempt to give myself to lifting those who are reaching upward in hope that others will eventually catch on. This keeps me from allowing frustrations to dictate my thought processes and keeps me focused on developing positive change in the lives of those that I've been called to lead. Throw in a couple of rides on the Harley and a golf game or two every now and then, and I'm able to enjoy life in abundance, to the top, till it overflows!
Pastor John Lowe – Warsaw, IN
The most fulfilling thing for us is to see transformation at any time in the spiritual journey of people. For some, it is the moment of salvation, others deliverance of habitual addiction; the rescuing of a marriage, or the restoration of a family - that moment where everyone in attendance knows that “this is Jesus.” It could be seeing a kid excited about VBS, his Bible verse award, or a teen walking by and giving the look, “hey, I brought my friend we prayed about, pastor.” Yeah, the glory of transformation.
Frustration – people who are willingly in their own deception, pride, or ignorance to a degree are willing to destroy someone else over stupid perceptions of who is wrong or right, spiritual etc. The inability for them to see, and there is a transformation here, like a conception of an egg in the womb, which if left alone has everything required to produce a beautiful life in Jesus. People need to let people alone in the process of transformation.
Getting over it? I holster my pistol and don’t shoot anyone (just kidding). I give the whole situation to Jesus and remind myself that perhaps that idiot is in the process of his own transformation, so leave them alone. Jesus is not done with them yet either. They too are on a journey. He won’t leave them alone.
Pastor Rob Wynne – Linden, AL
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." It is very important to focus on what you are, have, and can do in Jesus. Be positive.
The most frustrating part of pastoring is when people will not allow me to help them. The most needy [spiritually, physically and mentally] will not attend church with any regularity but want special attention when they want it, if at all.
I take my own advice. If I need someone to bounce things off, I have other ministers from RMAI and Brother Tony that I confide in. I focus on the things that the Lord and I can change. When folks were kicking, I didn't give them any airtime. I dealt with it very quietly so it would not disturb the sheep and presented the things that were happening that were positive. I also have positive outlets: my wife of 37 years, my children and grandchildren, and I play golf. I consider myself to be in constant contact with my Lord. I choose to be full of joy and peace. I keep myself stirred up in the Lord.
Pastor Phil Edwards – Ennice, NC
The most fulfilling is to watch people grow and begin to realize who they are in Christ. The greatest frustration is not being able to close the back door. I would love to retain more of those who come.
Pastor Doug Foutty – Parkersburg, WV
The most fulfilling part is to see faith kick in where doubt had been. I like to see people’s countenance change right during the service. You can tell when the revelation of the Word has taken place. I like it when someone comes in and is teachable. It is fulfilling to feed a hungry person with God’s Word.
The most frustrating part is to have people sit under the Word for a long time and be able to quote what you teach, but they are not a doer of the Word, therefore they stay frustrated and bear no fruit.
I encourage myself in the Word and I never quit trying to teach the ones who have ‘deceived themselves’. That is how I keep frustration down.
Pastor Al Jennings – Fort Wayne, IN
1Pet. 5:7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
The most fulfilling part of the ministry for me is the people and hearing the testimonies about how the ministry has blessed them in some way. That's the best part.
Although challenges come in the ministry, I don't allow the challenges to turn into frustrations. One of my biggest challenges is probably when people in leadership leave the ministry. The way that I keep challenges from getting me down is by first, knowing that the Word says I always have victory in all things (1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14) and I walk by faith, not by the circumstances (2 Cor. 5:7). Secondly, realizing that it's the Lord's work and not mine; that the people belong to the Lord and not to me. At the end of the day, as Pastors we are under-shepherds under Jesus. I've learned to cast my cares on the Lord and not carry the ministry myself. We are not built or equipped to carry the burdens of the ministry, but God is. Knowing that the work belongs to God keeps frustration away.
