Dave Earley in the book Ministry Is… states, “Some people put on a ministry mask. It is easy to do. When we get hurt or disappointed, we put on a mask to cover our true inner feelings when we relate to others. Unfortunately, it takes a great deal of energy to keep the persona polished and clean. Wearing one makes you appear artificial or fake. In order to endure in ministry, we must maintain authenticity. We should invest our time and effort into being our best selves as opposed to trying to be someone we are not. Enduring ministry is the result of maintaining a perspective of authenticity.”
I can relate to being inauthentic when it comes to ministry… there came a point in my work that I just shut down. I was going to church even though I did not want to, I would not really have my heart into anything I was doing, and I shut people out of what was really going on with me. Living that kind of life is completely utterly miserable. So I stepped out of doing ministry this past year. I stopped going to church for a while, too. While not the smartest move (leaving church that is), it’s been a really healthy experience for me. I’ve stripped off the mask. I’ve been open and honest with people. I stopped making excuses. I’ve really grown as a person and a believer, and am more in love with God now than I have ever been.
And now, I miss ministry. It pains me that I am not active in a ministry, but taking a backseat and enjoying just being “one of the students” has been relaxing so far, even though I just got back into it. I am learning a lot about ministry by not doing it, and watching others work. I am excited to see what God has for me next.
“You will last in ministry when you learn to accept your shortcomings, admit your mistakes, and laugh at yourself as you place the focus on Christ.” (Earley)
So tell me, honestly, how are you doing?
