Have you ever found yourself stuck in ministry and not being sure how to move forward and maybe not even sure how you got there? You know what I mean—you were moving along but suddenly something happens, and you feel stuck. Or suddenly you realize that you are not motivated, and you’re not quite sure how to move forward emotionally, or even practically, in ministry (and maybe even in life).
Sometimes when you get stuck, it’s painful. I’ve been there a couple of times, and it is hard.
There are a lot of things that can cause you to get stuck—maybe it’s a staff member who suddenly quits or a key ministry leader who leaves, or maybe part of a program doesn’t work as expected. Or maybe your church adds an extra service, and you just don’t have the volunteers you need … and you’re not sure where to turn or who to ask.
This can be emotionally draining and certainly can cause you to feel stuck. For me, oftentimes, it’s the emotional baggage or weight of a situation that gets me spinning in a place where I’m just not sure what the next step is.
On more than one occasion, I was stuck because God had been trying to slow me down, so I would rest and reflect and trust Him for the solution that He’s going to bring.
Stuck? Stop. Step Back. Figure It Out.
There have been times when I’ve found myself stuck, and I had to stop and step back a minute (which sometimes lasts for a week or more) and figure out what was causing me to be stuck.
On more than one occasion, I was stuck because God had been trying to slow me down, so I would rest and reflect and trust Him for the solution that He’s going to bring. Lately I have been reflecting on some of the things that have caused me to get stuck. I came to the realization that it’s not always the same thing.
Here are some of the things I have identified. As you read this article, I hope it is helpful to you if you find yourself feeling stuck.
How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout
How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout
How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout
Lack of Training
There are times in ministry when I realized that I had a lack of training for a task I needed to do or a role I was in.
Emotionally, it presented as anxiety and procrastination, but when I realized that I was stuck and identified what skills I was missing, I was able to network and learn what I needed to accomplish the task or be effective in a new role.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It is so much better—and, ultimately, less painful—to admit you need help instead of trying to fake it while remaining stuck.
Lack of Clarity
Ministry can be challenging. We all want to be effective and do a good job. Bur if we’re working with leaders who don’t provide clear expectations on what they are looking for, it’s almost impossible to meet expectations.
This can eventually lead to a lack of confidence, and ultimately, a lack of trust. If you are in this place, write a list of what isn’t clear to you.
You might have been given ambiguous instructions or goals. Goals should be clear and measurable. So don’t be afraid to ask for the clarity you need. This will help you to be successful in ministry.
I encourage you to stop, carve out some time, and pray.
Perfectionism
There are some tasks where perfectionism matters. When you are building a space rocket, it must be built properly to make it to space.
In ministry, we are in the relationship business. People are messy, and we certainly don’t have the luxury of controlling how other people behave and respond.
Time and again I have realized that God is in control of what we do and that I need to trust Him to be at the center of relationships.
Calling
Sometimes God is calling us out of something (or maybe to something else).
Please hear me, I am not suggesting that every time we are stuck that we should consider moving on. Challenges are normal in ministry and life. And, oftentimes, it is in the enduring that God refines us.
However, if you have sat in a season of being stuck, prayerfully consider if God is calling you on to something else.
When You’re Stuck
So, what do you do when you realize that you are stuck?
First, I encourage you to stop, carve out some time, and pray.
Ask God to reveal to you what is causing you to be stuck. Focus on the emotions you are feeling. Then spend time identifying what is causing the emotion you are currently feeling and ask God for help.
Be willing to sit in your stuck place while you identify what to do next. Scripture says:
“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.”
As you work through this, trust that God always hears your prayer. And maybe let someone you trust know that you need help and ask them to pray for you. Consider finding a mentor who can help you process what you are feeling. And depending on your situation, your trusted mentor might be a counselor or therapist.
Lastly, rest in the fact that you have identified what is causing you to be where you are and trust that God will be with you as you take your next step forward.
More Articles from Gary
- Caring for the Leaders We Serve
- The Benefits of Practicing Gratitude on a Daily Basis
- Meaningful Ways to Encourage Your Volunteers to See the Wonder of God
- The Wonderful Transformation that Family Connection Offers
- Practical Ways to Support Men in Ministry
- How We Continue Moving Forward in the Midst of the Unknown
- How to Equip and Empower Volunteers for Ministry
- How We Moved Our Ministry Forward in the Midst of the Unknown
- Your How-to Guide for Creating a Successful Volunteer Culture
- You Need to Avoid These Tempting Volunteer Recruitment Mistakes
- The Best Ways to Talk to Your Church Leadership about Kidmin
- Proactive Safety Planning: What Kids Need from You
Making an Impact in Your Children’s Ministry
This guide was created to help you dive into some of the topics facing your ministries today and lead into why your curriculum matters and how to choose the right one depending on your needs.
How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout
