Persevere in the Highs and Lows

There is a certain beauty to the middle season of pastoral ministry. You find yourself between the zeal of your youth and the final stretch of your ministry.

Remember two things: First, there are highs and lows in ministry. I recall a pastor telling the story of a couple who, one Sunday, told him that his morning message was a home run; the following Sunday, they told him they were leaving the church. Seasons change.

Second, there is the need to persevere. As Paul tells Timothy, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tim. 4:16). The call to pastoral ministry is an extraordinary calling, where God graciously chooses what is “foolish in the world to shame the wise” in order to save eternal souls (1 Cor. 1:27).

To persevere is to be faithful to your commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is to fight the good fight, to finish the race, and to keep the faith (2 Tim. 4:7).

Persevere in the Highs

I know of a church that received a sizable financial gift that many pastors dream of. It was a sign of the Lord’s kindness to them. In many ways, the gift made ministry easier.

Kind of. Christ’s strength is still the secret to facing plenty and abundance (Phil. 4:12). In seasons flowing with milk and honey, we more easily forget our Deliverer (Deut. 6:10–12). Whatever the highs, what does persevering look like in the middle years? Here are some things to lean into.

Keep Maturing in the Ministry

If you have made it this far in the pastorate, you have most likely grown in ministering to others. The congregation has seen how God has sanctified you through different seasons. Praise him for it! He didn’t leave you where you were!

Now consider your growth. Consider the growth of many in your congregation who have stayed. By what means did God mature you? Surely by beholding Christ in his Word, communing with him in prayer, fellowshipping with the saints, and obeying him even when it hurts.

Press in all the more. Highs in ministry can become ends in themselves and tempt you to strive after the wind. But continued spiritual growth will keep you from stumbling and being a distraction to the gospel. Look back to the mistakes you made in the zeal of your youthfulness and look forward to the blessing you want to be for the church after you leave.

Surround Yourself with Other Pastors

Ministers around you will be drawn to your example and experience. Younger pastors are looking for someone to imitate, and pastors near retirement are pushing others to finish well. Value the zeal of the youthful pastor and heed the elder pastor’s advice.

Time in ministry has enabled you to establish solid relationships with others from both sides who can speak into your life with encouragement and exhortation. Continue to build upon those relationships.

Trust in the Grace of God

It is the Lord’s grace that strengthens us to run with endurance. Never assume that the highs you experience are because “you have paid your dues.” Laying a foundation and building upon it does take time, but the return is always in the Lord’s hands. He brings about the increase. The privilege we have is to plant and water.

Persevere in the Lows

Imagine a mighty oak tree standing firm during a raging storm. The oak remains rooted in the ground despite the wind tearing at its branches and the rain beating it relentlessly. Ministry requires such steadfastness. James writes, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (1:2–3).

When you experience lows in the middle years of ministry, and you feel like Joshua after the defeat at Ai or Jonah in the belly of the great fish, here are three reminders to stabilize you.

Be Connected

The tendency for many during difficult times is isolation. I can remember wanting to keep to myself and hide the hurt. But I needed more profound and meaningful involvement and a more accurate picture of gospel community.

Be Vulnerable

Who are the people in your life to whom you can turn for guidance and wisdom? Be open with them about what you are going through. Trust those who have proven themselves trustworthy.

Be Holy

We are commanded to confess our sins (Jas. 5:16), and our shortcomings are magnified in the lows. Do not gloss over times of bitterness and resentment, but rather confess these things. What you do not talk out, you will act out. If you hold things in, sin will come out in ways that hurt the church.

Ministry in the middle years offers an opportunity to move forward while looking back at all that God has done. He is faithful to complete the work that he has started in you (Phil. 1:6).