By Javan Rowe
It”s hard to find any part of our lives not affected by the state of our nation”s economy. Unemployment is up, businesses are folding, and individuals are paying much closer attention to personal finances. The church is not exempt from such challenges.
How can our ministries survive today”s hard times? There”s no sure answer. As the Bible says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1*). But the book of Proverbs does offer wisdom to help our ministries succeed.
Three principles in particular can help.
Prayer
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.” Nothing makes any difference if we are unwilling to commit our ministries to the Lord. It may sound unnecessary””after all, ministry is done for the Lord, right? Unfortunately, I have been guilty many times of ministering merely for self-fulfillment. I suspect I”m not alone.
There certainly is nothing wrong with feeling good about ministry. In fact, if you do not find some kind of inner peace or joy, maybe you are in the wrong ministry. It is essential, though, that we regularly come before the Lord and dedicate the works of our hands to him. He is the foundation, the reason, for any ministry we may be pursuing.
All ministry must begin with prayer””not prayer that says, “I will do this or that,” but instead, “Lord, show me your will.”
Organization
Organization helps us project and maintain a strong vision for our ministries. We are advised, “Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established” (Proverbs 4:25, 26). In other words, “Keep looking forward to see where you are headed.”
We may feel success in ministry comes with staying busy. But a good vision keeps us from acting hastily. We are emotional beings, often to our detriment. Emotions can cause us to make rash decisions. The proverbs concur: “Everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty” (21:5).
This isn”t to say our vision should remain stagnant. Where has our ministry been? Where do we want it to be? How well does our ministry reflect the glory of God?
Once vision is set, establishing order comes next. This means making a plan and following it. It includes not taking on more than we can handle, but giving responsibilities to others.
Talented people can help you. Notice how the writer of Proverbs advocates a linear plan: “Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards, then, build your house” (Proverbs 24:27).
Proverbs also instructs, “Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8). Not only is this a warning against sloth, this Scripture also describes a definite order to tasks the ant tackles.
Persistence
When I began to pursue a writing ministry the three words of advice I found most helpful were these: persist, persist, and persist. Proverbs uses the words diligent and diligence to describe this trait: “The hand of the diligent will rule” (12:24); “The soul of the diligent is made fat” (13:4); and “The precious possession of a man is diligence” (12:27). Persistence brings at least three benefits:
“¢ First, persistence will help us find success in our ministry. We may never achieve high attendance numbers or meet all of our expectations, but if we remain persistent I believe God will look at our efforts and see success.
I once was involved in a music ministry that did some good, but was short-lived. Instead of viewing it as a failure””as Satan would want me to””I realized it was leading me out of the music ministry and into a writing ministry. Persistence in ministry has brought success, as long as I am properly defining success.
“¢ Second, our ministry struggles produce spir-itual growth. For me, the struggle manifests itself in the form of rejection letters. My rejection file gets thicker each week. This is when I need persistence most.
Your challenge may be lack of time, or come from people outside the church, or even those closest to you. But it is through obstacles and hardships that we draw closer to God and the strength he provides.
“¢ Third, there is something to be said about the process itself. Someone once said God isn”t as interested in the ending as the process. The process is an end unto itself. Mentors have advised me to enjoy writing, because nothing is guaranteed. Writing, or any other ministry for that matter, may never result in the outcome you desire, so enjoy the process and don”t give up.
Prayer
The ministry cycle constantly repeats itself. Our cycle began with prayer, followed by maintaining organization, and then persistence. Now we”re back to prayer. Prayer is the beginning and ending of every ministry. Even if our organizational skills are severely lacking, or our patience is growing thin, we must return to prayer.
Maintaining a healthy prayer life helps keep us in tune with God. It is through prayer that we discern when God wants us to move on or stick with it. Prayer shines a light on new opportunities inside and outside our ministry. Prayer is the most essential part of all ministries.
Proverbs 3:5-7 puts it this way: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”
We can”t find better advice for a ministry that pleases God, helps others, and gives us peace and joy.
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*All Scripture is from the New American Standard Bible.
Javan Rowe is a freelance writer in Columbus, Ohio, who serves his local congregation in the music, youth, writing, and drama ministries. Most recently, his articles have appeared in Prism and The Lookout.
Great article by Javan Rowe. Might we add money management to the lessons from Proverbs for how a church and a minister can make it during these hard times? Proverbs 22:7 is a prime example: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”
Just think how many churches and their staff are tied to the economy through needless debt. Dave Ramsey calls those percentage rates a “Stupid Tax.” Many churches in the effort to look forward and grow, maybe boasted about tomorrow a little too much. How many churches build or expand their ministries on debt? How many ministers don’t practice what they preach on stewardship? A minister who has to worry about huge house bills, car bills, and other bought-on-credit items is going to be tempted to temper their preaching so as to keep a job.
All debt does is tie our churches to the economy. Sadly, when the economy goes up and down these churches are “slave to the lender” and get to ride the roller coaster with it.
I know for myself and my family, we have paid our “stupid tax” and are seeing what difference it can make when payments don’t tie us down.
I just wanted to thank you all for the articles that you publish. I have been doing a lot of thinking and study on Vision and this was very helpful. Thanks again.