An easier ministry situation?

 

We can probably all feel we are serving in a hard situation. And in some ways perhaps we are.

 

The grass can sometimes seem greener.

 

This side of the Fall, all work involves toil, thorn and thistle. Whatever we are doing we should expect to sweat. The Promised Land is not yet fully available.  

 

And anything worthwhile is likely to be difficult until it is done.

 

All Christian ministry is a spiritual battle.

 

It is also about people. And we all know people can be difficult.

 

It can be tempting to look for an easier situation. But wherever you go, you will take yourself. And you are a weak sinner. Perhaps you are causing or exacerbating some of your problems.

 

Everywhere has its pros and cons, its particular blessings and drawbacks, its own opportunities and challenges, and it is good to learn to work with these as much as you can.  

 

Having said all that, there may be places that are a better or worse fit for you and your family. If you have some options, it is worth asking “how can we, as the people we are, with the gifts we have, best serve God, his people and the lost?”. Wherever we are, we need to ask how we could best serve here, in so far as we have some flexibilities. There might be a main ministry (and / or paid work) and maybe there could also be a side gig or two, or something or other you particularly seek to develop or concentrate on.  

 

For example, you might cope with deprivation better than some people. You might be especially suited to serve with particular age groups, or people groups, or those of certain backgrounds. Maybe you are very flexible and good at getting on with all sorts of people. Perhaps you would especially enjoy diversity.

 

You might prefer some aspects of ministry to others. Maybe you have a particular heart for counselling those with mental health struggles or drug addiction. You may find admin harder or easier. Perhaps you especially love preaching or small groups. Do you like variety? Are you a better generalist or specialist? Are there things you especially want to include in the mix or would prefer to avoid or minimise?

 

What gives you your energy, and what do you find draining?

 

What support networks do you have? Would you be better in a team or would you cope well more alone? Would you be relatively happy far away from wider family and friends?  

 

Do you like to pioneer something or do you benefit from a more established set up?

 

Perhaps there are no easier ministry situations, but there might be places which are more or less likely to help you and yours, and those whom you serve or seek to reach, flourish.

 

Wherever you are, perhaps it is worth looking out for the opposite dangers of rust out and burn out. On average, one might hope to spend most of one's time with the right sort and amount of challenges so that ministry is stretching and stimulation, but not as a rule totally overwhelming.