I live in the tension of wanting to give my best for God’s work while not worrying about whether others recognize my best. My goal ought to be that only the name of Jesus gets glory before, during, and after I’m in my current seat of ministry. So, the work goes on, even beyond us, because it’s God’s work.

First, a caveat: I realize this post may reveal how much I’ve struggled at times with arrogance. Nevertheless, I hope it ultimately shows growth in my heart and challenges you at the same time.

I wonder what most pastors would answer if you asked them this question: “What’s the toughest ministry lesson you’ve had to learn?” Think with me about some possibilities:

• Not everyone who is a church member is a believer.
• Even Christians can be mean.
• Preparing and preaching a sermon every week is hard.
• Ministry is sometimes filled with the grief of walking through tragedies with people.
• People you love will sometimes leave the church.
• It’s tough to officiate the funeral of people who apparently were not Christians.
• Some churches have a track record of hurting pastors.
• Some pastors earn barely enough money to pay their bills (if that much).
• Sin destroys even church families.

I could keep listing hard lessons ministry leaders learn, but the one that comes to mind for me today might surprise you: churches and ministries go on fine without us after we’re gone. No ministry I have left has missed a beat upon my departure.  

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