Archive for the 'Pastors' Category
4 Ways to Deal with Discouragement in Ministry
Discouragement in ministry is real. When you are down, how do you get back up?
It does not matter if plans you had are now unfulfilled, you are surrounded by small-mindedness, people leave your church, you hear unending criticism, or you are just facing a season of barren and grind, discouragement is difficult. But it is not terminal in ministry.
Now is the time to embrace the battle and move through it.
4 Ways to Get Through Discouragement
1. Share with God about where you are.
Pastors tend to talk about their discouragement with other people more than we talk about it with God. Pastor, the moment you sense you are discouraged, begin with God. Talk to Him about it.
If you do not, the very thing or things that have led you to this place in your life will lead to even greater discouragement. Failing to unpack where you are with God is a major mistake in ministry.
2. Set your eyes on Jesus.
Jesus does not disappoint, but people do. Looking at others will lead you to major disappointment. Get your eyes off leaders in your life and members of your church.
Set your eyes on Jesus. He is with you.
3. Settle forgiveness now.
In ministry, you will face all kinds of things and encounter all kinds of people. This will challenge you greatly, especially when you are disappointed in some way.
Ministry is hard enough, but to carry resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness is like walking on a treadmill carrying a 100-pound backpack. You will not go far or last long.
Remember: Never let anyone outside of your circle of love. Settle now, whatever or whoever I encounter, I will forgive.
4. Surge forward
You will never overcome discouragement by ignoring it or letting it paralyze you. You cannot surge forward in your life and ministry while looking backward.
People who hurt you are people who have been hurt in their life. You have to know this or their hurt toward you will transcend to the way you treat other people.
It does not matter who did what to you and when they did it. What matters is how you will respond to it. This is why we must surge forward in forgiveness.
This is what leaders do.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
The Pastor and His Prayer Life
The following article was featured on PreachingSource.com on September 7, 2016.
One of the most powerful experiences of my life occurred when someone challenged me to prioritize prayer in my life. When I embraced prayer in my college years, not only did it change my life, it also became formative for everything in my life.
To this very day, beginning my day with God in His Word and having an ongoing conversation with Him has been the greatest key to my entire life and ministry. The ministry of preaching will not ever go beyond the preacher’s personal walk with God.
Prayer Is Built Upon the Word of God
Prayer is built on the Word of God. This prevents us from getting out of balance or off into theological error. Sometimes people think those who practice prayer are intellectual midgets or theologically inferior. Great prayer warriors base their praying on God’s Word, the surest truth in this world.
The most highly intelligent and theologically astute should be the greatest prayer warriors on the face of the earth. They should realize the Bible is God’s Word and authority on all things, praying with deep belief in God and His power. Preaching must be in the power of the Holy Spirit and this will never occur if a preacher and his prayer life is not built upon the Word of God.
As a pastor is preparing a sermon, it is imperative to seek God first above all else. Preaching is a relationship between the preacher and the people of God; however, this relationship will never supersede the preacher’s relationship with God personally.
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.