Dealing with Failure as a Pastor

Dealing with failure is one of the most difficult challenges in the life and ministry of a pastor. Failing to meet our own expectations and the expectations of others can lead to an overwhelming sense of guilt.

Failure exists everywhere

Everywhere we look today, we see failure:

• Our nation’s foreign policy
• Our nation’s financial uncertainty
• Our businesses or churches, when certain goals are not reached
• Marriages that end in divorce
• Parenting that is inconsistent and ineffective
• Containing worldwide threats like the Ebola virus and the advancement of the terrorist group ISIS

Undoubtedly, failure is a part of life.

One thing I know

One thing I know is that we are all quite gifted in failure. I feel as the Apostle Paul, I am the chief of sinners; or in this case, I am the most experienced in failure.

I realize that when we struggle with failure, we can be overcome with a deep sense of guilt. But we also begin to hear the endless accusations of Satan as he accuses us personally, before others, and even before God Himself. This often leads us into a cycle of endless failure.

There is hope

Peter, one of the greatest men in human history, was a man who failed Jesus miserably, but was later raised up to be used of God extraordinarily.

• One moment, Peter was declaring Jesus as the Son of God and being commended by Jesus before others. The next moment, he was being rebuked by Jesus because of his false view of Jesus’ role in life.
• One moment, Peter was in the presence of Jesus, experiencing community with His Last Supper. A few hours later, Peter was denying he had ever met Jesus.
• Through his grief and devastation, God raised Peter up supernaturally as a picture of forgiveness, grace, and power; because through this man, the gospel was preached as the church was birthed into existence.

Therefore, since God did this with Peter, he can do it with you. There is hope!

You may feel you are the worst failure in ministry today, completely unqualified to serve because of some of your failures. Yet, God may have a plan for you that is far superior to what you have ever imagined.

Think on these things related to failure in life and ministry

1. Failure is not the end: Love forgives you.

Just as Peter understood God’s love, we need to understand God’s love.

Do you remember what Peter stated under the inspiration of God’s Spirit?

He wrote these words in 1 Peter 4:8, “Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

Pastor, above all, have an intense love for all people. Never let anyone outside of your circle of love. Why? Because God’s love covers a multitude of our own sins. Peter understood this as much as anyone. We need to understand it also.

Stop believing your failure is the end! It is not. Love forgives you. Therefore, forgive yourself. Forgive others. Let it go. Go forward in your life and ministry.

2. Failure can lead to a new future: Grace restores you.

What you may view as a major setback, God may want to use as a major set up for a new future for your life and ministry. How can this be possible? Grace!

Grace restores you! It takes that which appears to be broken and repairs it to God’s glory. Thank God, grace restores you and me!

We view failure many times as an enemy, but it is a great teaching tool. It points out our weakness and helps us see our deep need for God. Failure can help us chart a new future, all because of grace.

3. Failure is not fatal: The Holy Spirit empowers you.

Many pastors are so overwhelmed by their failure that they buy into the demonic words of Satan that declare failure is fatal. It is not fatal!

If it were, Peter would have been declared dead the instant of his denials.

Yet, the Holy Spirit raised him up supernaturally. He can and will do the same for you and me. The Holy Spirit wants to empower us to follow Jesus all the way to death, into eternal life and heaven itself.

Finally…

Please remember the next time you are overcome with failure, love forgives you, grace restores you, and the Holy Spirit empowers you.

There is hope for you and me.

Yours for the Great Commission,

Ronnie W. Floyd