No one ever said that being in Ministry was going to be easy. The Apostle Paul knew this better than anyone else. He knew that there would be daily challenges and a multitude of situations that would require him to stand and remain steadfast in the face of adversity even when everyone with the exception of Luke had left him Here are just 10 of the many hard things we will face in Ministry and what we can learn from Paul.
Vs. 10 Watching people leave.
Paul begins by saying “ Demas left me”. There will people who will leave, that you thought never would. There will people who once walked close to God who no longer don’t and they leave not only you but God. There will people that will leave, that you had a close relationship with. You may have broken bread together, your kids may have played and grown up together. You had their back and they had yours. For whatever reason they leave. It never gets any easier, but we must remember that sometimes people leave.
Vs. 14 Confronting Unrighteousness
Alexander the Coppersmith did Paul wrong. Sometimes there will be people who have their own agenda and will stop at nothing to accomplish it. There are some who believe that Alexander may have testified against Paul at his trial. Paul did not waver in what he believed and neither can we. It took guts to standup for God. It took guts for Paul to say what he said. In Ministry there will be times that it will take guts to do and say what is right by standing up for righteousness.
Vs. 13 Staying hungry for God
We can be fooled by being in Ministry. Paul loved the Word of God and he never let his flesh become complacent when it came to the things of God. Because we are in Ministry and around it all the time, we can begin to just go through the motions. We will no longer pray as much or spend time studying God’s Word as much. Just like Paul we must continue to long for the Word of God and never allow ourselves to be satisfied.
Vs. 11 Staying current in Ministry
Paul understood this. His ministry did not remain the ministry of one, Paul. Paul multiplied himself time and time again. You must do the same. Although some left like Demas and some were unfaithful like Alexander, there were others who were faithful to the very end. He knew that he could count on them when he needed them most. Multiplication is the key. Through Paul’s obedience the entire world was changed.
Vs. 16 Never telling the whole story, standing alone
There will be times when you will need to “take the high road” when it comes to dealing with people. People may say things that are untrue or make false accusations about you or your ministry. At times like this you may want to expose those accusers for all that they are, but you cannot because to do so may do more harm than good. At times like this you will be alone. At times like this we must allow God to be God and pray for those who accuse you. Don’t gossip and only go public when it will affect the whole church.
Vs. 15 Receiving correction
Receiving correction is not always welcoming. Receiving correction can be hard to hear. Alexander fought against everything Paul said. He would not receive correction. You do not have all the answers. Develop and maintain a teachable spirit and welcome constructive correction.
Vs. 17 Giving your best when you feel your worst
Ministry is hard. Ministry is work. As a leader you lead by example, even when you are not at your best. You always give your best. Lead by example even when things are not going right.
Vs. 18 Always being first
Be an example. Be first when it comes to praying, forgiving, reading and studying the Word of God. Followers may not, but as a leader you must.
Vs. 7 Being a Leader
Maintaining the ability to coach, train, equip and recruit. You will never stop doing this. You maintain this ability by continually learning and searching for new and creative methods to connect people with each other and God.
Vs. 10-17 Working through tension
There will always be uncomfortable seasons in ministry between volunteers, employees, and departments. But we work through them knowing and believing that God is with us and with an understanding that we do what we do for His glory.
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