“I’m Done with Ministry!”

I’m Done!!!

Ministry can be so rewarding can’t it? I think that when you are teaching a group of kids and you can see in their precious eyes that they finally caught a glimpse of God that it is the most satisfying thing around. It just doesn’t get any better than that. And how about those kids that raise their little hands each week when you offer the message of salvation? You know the ones I’m talking about. Each week the same child will raise his or her hand to except Jesus as his or her personal Savior and each week you speak to them of His awesome love and then one week you see it in their eyes and you know you just know that this was the week it actually happened. These are the memories I carry with me to this day…these are those moments when after service you get into your car to drive home and your eyes fill up with tears because you know that you are actually fulfilling God’s call on your life. Unfortunately, it can also be extremely hard.

Since being involved in Children’s Ministry for more than 25 years I have had the opportunity to speak with many pastors and volunteers involved in this incredible calling. I myself have pretty much gone through some of the same frustrations that have plagued this dedicated group of people and I have a special place in my heart for them. One of the saddest things I hear is this simple statement: “I’m done”! Time and time again I have had these words echo in my ears from people that are so frustrated with the ministry and the day to day trials that come with it. People so frustrated with the lack of support from the church body or from the pastoral staff that they are just waiting for that final straw…well do I have news for you – you are not done and it’s only just begun.

But you don’t understand…”? Yes I do! I understand your frustration. I know what it’s like to have a church body that doesn’t want to volunteer for children’s ministry. I know what it’s like for a church to spend tens of thousands of dollars on sound equipment but not willing to help fund a few hundred dollars on some needed curriculum. I know what it’s like to have sound equipment that has more duct tape on it than Home Depot sells in a year. I know! Trust me I know, but you know what else I know? I know that God has a purpose for my life and I am not going to let anyone steal it from me, and you shouldn’t either.

I think back in the book of Acts when Saul is on the road and Jesus just knocks him right to his knees and reads him the riot act. Now all I’m saying is we are just like Saul and here’s why; sure we are going to run into difficult times and get knocked right to our knees and it’s going to hurt. If you have been in this ministry long enough chances are you have had to face getting knocked to your knees a time or two but I love what Jesus tells Saul. He says: “But now, up on your feet—I have a job for you. I’ve handpicked you to be a servant and witness to what’s happened today, and to what I am going to show you”. Acts 26:16

The beauty of that simple statement is this; we have been handpicked by Jesus Himself. That’s it! From His throne room with all He has to do He took the time to hand pick YOU. Is that awesome or what??? When I think about that it blows me away. I’m no one special, just a regular guy with a host of problems but Jesus has a job for me and this same Jesus that picked me has also picked you too. Isn’t that incredible? Then why do we want to quit the good work that God has begun in us, because we can’t get volunteers? I know that’s frustrating but is it worth more than doing God’s will for your life? Don’t give up because God has such great works ahead for you. He really does! He has things lined up for your ministry that extends further than the eye can see, so just know that you will eventually be attacked by satan because his wish for you is failure and he will use strangers, friends, fellow workers and even pastors to thwart you. They may all be well wishing in what they say or imply but there should be no man or woman that should step between you and God’s plan for your life and what’s really in these situations is that He can take a bad thing and use it to move you further in your ministry to produce good fruit.

I know that ministry can be hard because there is so much that is put on your shoulders. I know that in most cases you are doing this on a part time basis and people at the church are clueless in the amount of time it actually takes to put together a successful kids program, but you have to hang in there because the blessings are right around the corner. Take a look at 1 Thes. 5:24 where Paul writes; “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” Is that a promise or what? God is faithful. Let’s face it, He called you into this ministry and the lives you will impact are going to be many. There may not be much of a reward in it now and frankly, if you are in this ministry for the reward you may never see it. The true reward is further down the road and it’s the reward that is generated out a view. It’s when one of the children that you impacted turns around and shows the love of Jesus to a stranger and brings that person into a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Listen, I know that you may be at your own crossroads even as you read this article but don’t give up because there is about to be a breakthrough for you and your ministry. God wouldn’t take you this far just to let you go. Let’s face it, what He sets in motion may come to a standstill here and there but it will continue again. It’s new each morning. It will continue until that day when you are standing before Him and He reaches out and takes you into His arms and whispers into your ear “Well done, good and faithful servant…well done”.