A few days ago on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindoll mentioned, what he believes, is a very real and sad travesty which sometimes occurs to people in ministry. It's burn-out. They no longer have a passion for ministry. They are tired, They spend their days going through the motions, perhaps concentrating on the business side of operations to the neglect of Kingdom work. It goes beyond a need for a good nap. They have lost the passion in what they do.
As a fellow minister of Christ, this should greatly concern us both. Swindoll’s message on burn-out hits home for several reasons. As someone who has grown up traveling to many churches around the Western Slope, and as someone who is often in various local churches to this day, it is a clear problem here.
Actually, some churches and ministries are anything but tired. A few are vibrant, excited, colorful, working for the Kingdom, full of the Gospel and the Word, friendly, places of innovation, and as the body of Christ was intended. Others…some very good churches and people…are beat down. They are clearly tired. "Grey" around the gills. Their pews are empty. Their messages are stale. COVID hit them too
hard. They haven't been outside their four walls in years. That can go for some ministries too. Those same ministries and churches were most likely launched in a much different state than the shadows they have become. They are hanging on by a thread and the thread is about to snap. But if we want our churches and ministries to turn around, hope is not
lost.
A New Heart
Oftentimes the spiritual battle rages simply inside of us. If we are burned out, we need to first and foremost ask God for a new beginning. Then we also work hard toward that. We should fortify our hearts by the renewing of our mind, realigning with Him in heart and purpose. That is one of the great challenges for every believer, and certainly for each of us in ministry inside and outside of the church. Then we need to get back to work. Not just business as usual…not just “good enough for God’s work” kind of work…let give our best
for our King.
New Blood
I also want to pose another thought to you. If we are not willing to do the work, if God has not yet granted us a new heart, it could be better to step aside and be replaced in our position than it would be for the ministry to come crashing down in 5-10 years. If my presence is keeping someone else from fulfilling the serious mission of the Gospel, or of an impending revival, would it not be my duty to get out of the way?
I have seen with my own eyes pastors and ministry leaders do this selflessly, and I commend them for it. I know of one ministry in particular that has replacements already in place for when its founders go on to glory, even though that is expected no time soon.
Stepping aside in ministry is not quitting, and we should never treat it as such. God very well may be calling somewhere else. Case in point, is KJOL’s very own station manager emeritus, my father Ken Andrews. About 5 to 6 years ago, he was tired and expressed his desire to find a replacement. HE put that into motion. The board then decided that I would be his replacement. So I have been trying to fill his shoes for about the last 3 ½ years. Turns out the fat boy they chose to replace him has a lot of drive! And it has come in quite handy during some recent tough times too. And Ken now has a new drive for radio ministry, without all the stress. Along with that, he has a brand new ministry at his church, and a voice outside of it. He just needed a change in scenery!
Are you passionate about your personal ministry? It’s time to make that happen. Be a good steward with the Lord’s work. Seek a new heart. Work hard. Don’t simply give up to business as usual. At times, a change of scenery may be in order.
“ Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord.”
-Romans 12:11 New International Readers Version
-Dave Andrews
KJOL Station Manager