Don’t Quit

Good Morning,

I hope you are well.

I hope that this season is proving beneficial in your personal walk with Jesus.

I would like to make an observation about this season of church leadership and ministry.

For the first three or four weeks of our shelter in place – the primary things that were being discussed were creative ideas and methods to minister to our congregations and our communities.

It was inspiring to hear the stories of drive up, drive by, drive thru styles of ministry that were taking place across the life of this district.  The last week however there has been a shift in tone.  From creativity and celebration of effective ministry to angst and frustration – in some cases anger. With the shift has come less praise reports and more complaint.

I want to remind you that society is hurting.  The isolation continues to increase demand and opportunity for the church to minister.

I understand the frustrations you feel are real.  I know that challenges we are facing are difficult.  I understand you want this to end – but don’t forfeit who you are and what we are called to in the midst of frustration, challenge and difficulty.

This is the very reason Paul wrote these words in Galatians 6:9.

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

  • I know this is becoming heavy – don’t quit

  • I know some are frustrated – challenged – angry – stay at it for the sake of the harvest. 

  • Let me give you a couple more principles from Psalms 37 to assist in staying consistent and fresh in this season of demand as we lead and minister.

 

1.    Righteous people speak wisdom.

30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. Ps 37:30

  • Righteousness is in part proven by the fruit of your mouth.

  • This is a great time to pray more and talk less.

  • Pray for leadership more and speak about them less.

  • If you are spending your time speaking to God you will spend less time talking about others.

  • The people who follow you deserve to hear wisdom when you speak.

  • Your community deserves to hear spiritual leaders speak of what is just. 

2.   This ultimately becomes a matter of faith.

39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him. Ps 37:39-40 NKJV

  • Because they trust in Him.  Faith is not just a word – it is a dictating fact of our lives.  It is through our actions and responses that our faith is proven. 

Faith / trust shows up in our actions. 

Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Ps 37:3

Faith / trust shows up in our attitudes. 

Commit[a] your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Ps 37:3

Faith / trust will have an impact on your abilities. 

17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17