Starting Well…Ending Strong!

I had not started well. I was spending hours in my office studying, reading, preparing sermons and sermon series, writing policies, and doing what I thought was needed to pastor this church well. What the church wanted though was not just a knowledgeable pastor but a friend too. This farmer’s words stung! I was working hard, but it now felt that I had not accomplished much. I realized that I had forgotten the old adage, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!”

On the drive back home that evening my ministry changed. My work moved out of the office; strategizing, developing ministry goals, writing policies, preparing sermon series and ministry projects, and into my car! I realized in those moments that in this context I would accomplish more in those ‘buddy seats’ than what I would in my office. My effectiveness changed radically over the next few months, and five years later I would leave the church with strong relationships, good memories, and opportunities to have continued ministry into the lives of the church. I ended well.

Have the right perspective: The important lesson I had to learn was that effective ministry happens when I understand the context and people I am reaching out to. It is easy to see our ministry as a project or a job and forget that there are real living people involved, people that want to feel significant, loved, cared for. A wrong perspective can make starting and ending well difficult.

Recently I was invited to help solve a conflict between two groups of people. I was anxious. How was I going to do this? What should I say to them to fix this? How do I solve this issue? I met with a friend and shared my concerns with him. He said something so profound to me, “don’t see this as a problem to be solved, but see the people involved as disciples to be guided,” i.e., have the right perspective. It changed the way I approached this issue and changed the way I worked with them.

Listen, Listen, Listen: We are not in this to just to ‘do a job’. We are in this because of people. We are not called to this to drive people forward towards a desired goal but to shepherd them and disciple them (Matthew 28:19) to be more like Jesus. Starting a new assignment by listening to people makes them feel involved and connected and gains you traction and trust moving forward. When you take time to listen to people, they will in turn take time to listen to you. This can only lead to a strong ending down the road.

Don’t give up…ever! Towards the end of my ministry in my last church, I was exhausted. I was also excited about my new ministry starting soon and found my thoughts more and more consumed by what the new ministry held for me. It was so difficult to not let my commitment to my church wane and to throw the towel in. I did not want to fade out, I wanted to end strong! There are many times and events that lead to moments where we want to give up; however, perseverance and faithfulness is what carries us towards a strong ending. Talk to someone when you are struggling, take some time off for a rest if you are tired, don’t let your commitment fade, and whatever you do, Do. Not. Give. Up…Ever!

As we conclude: I hope that you have started well, whether as a pastor, in a new job, or with a new task or assignment, but, if not, then don’t lose hope as there is always the chance to bounce back, to learn a new way to do this, or adjust what you are doing. How you are planning to end well, what are you doing now to work towards a strong ending? The link below leads to some more helpful thoughts on this topic as suggested by Dr. Chuck Lawless, a leading expert in spiritual consultation, discipleship and mentoring. I do hope it is as helpful to you as it has been to me…