Ministry Encouragement

by Certified Church Consultant, Dan Abbatiello

TEXTS: Philippians 1:5-6; 2:12-13; Philippians 3:7-14; Colossians 1:25, 28-29

At my retirement celebration, I offered some parting encouragement that I thought might be of value to younger ministers. I share those thoughts in my blog today.

My wife and I have served in ministry for 52 years and have learned that a person does not earn a ministry role. One is gifted/graced by God with a temporary stewardship, a responsibility first to Christ Himself and then to His body.

For us, this stewardship has taken many shapes. My wife has served as church pianist, elementary school teacher, bookkeeper, seminar/retreat speaker, Women’s Ministry leader, bus driver, youth group chaperone, intercessor, coach, behind-the-scenes helper, wife, mother, caregiver, to name a few.

I have served as a husband, father, Youth pastor, Worship pastor/choir Director, Assistant Pastor, Day Care Director, District Youth Director, Lead Pastor, Christian School Superintendent, Presbyter, Assistant Superintendent, counselor, leadership coach, church consultant, Church Development Director and finally District Superintendent. (Oh, by the way, I played the devil once in Heaven’s Gates Hell’s Flames; my reviews were very good, not sure how to take that.)

We have considered these roles as a sacred trust, an honor, a privilege, and a blessing beyond words or measure. From our experience, I would like to mention four elements that I believe will help us in our ongoing ministry journey.

• WE MUST LOVE:

  • Love God! (Matt 22:37-39)
    • By being WITH HIM (MK 3:14,23)
    • Presence precedes productivity.
      Mary chose what Jesus called “the better part”—not because serving didn’t matter, but because relationship comes first. Therefore, ministry work must flow from intimacy with God. “Doing” must never replace “being.” Sitting at Jesus’ feet will keep the holy work from becoming a hollow work.
    • Busyness can often mask anxiety.
      Like Martha, we often serve harder when we feel responsible for outcomes over which we have no control. As ministry leaders, we love what we do and must work hard. However, we must not allow doing ministry for Jesus to keep us from ministry to Jesus.
    • By loving the WORD of God (2 Tim 2:15). The word of God must be our only rule of faith and practice.
    • By WORSHIPPING HIM personally as well as corporately
  • Love, Your Family!
    • After loving God, loving your family is your first responsibility.
  • Love Your Congregation!
    • If the congregation comes to understand that you genuinely love them, an atmosphere for a flourishing ministry has begun. Let them know you appreciate them, you are proud of them, you respect them.

  • WE MUST LEAD

    • Of course, we should never neglect our sacerdotal duties such as marry, bury, baptize, visit, counsel, console, encourage, preach, and teach; that is a way we show love to our congregation. However, all of the above must be viewed as tools with which we provide leadership.
    • In Matthew 9:36 Jesus observed the people and felt compassion for them because they were “distressed and dispirited, like sheep without a shepherd.” We presently live in a leaderless culture. Without prophetic/divine guidance, foresight, and shared purposeful goals people can become stagnant, restless, insecure, and prone to making up their own agenda, often leading to chaos. The Bible says, “Where there is no vision the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Paul instructed the Ephesians, “Fathers do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). This leadership principle is not for the family alone. Leaderless congregations too often become angry congregations. John Maxwell said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” I did not appreciate that idea at first because it placed too much responsibility on me. But he is right.

  • WE MUST LEARN, LEARN, LEARN (2 Tim 2:15)

    • The minister of the Gospel is a life-long learner. In ministry we move from one stage of “risking and not knowing” to the next stage of “risking and not knowing.” Learn the WORD to live the WORD! Learn from the SPIRIT to walk in the SPIRIT!

  • WE MUST LOOK INSIDE:

    • Paul said, “A man must examine himself” (1 Cor 11:28). We are not finished becoming Christ-like. We are player-coaches, both in the game and coaching others at the same time. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that Ministry can be a substitute for your own personal sanctification. On the other hand, allow ministry to reveal what yet needs the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. No one comes to ministry without internal brokenness, woundedness, distorted thinking, and judgments that must be worked out of our lives. Therefore, we must allow the Holy Spirit to clear out the things that trip us up and hinder spiritual and emotional growth.

I trust that Loving, Leading, Learning, and Looking inside will become regular points of evaluation for you as you grow forward in your ministry adventure.