4 Things You Need to Do to Stay in Ministry for the Long Haul

Exalt Mathias is a name you may not promptly perceive. In the late eighteenth century, Fawcett pastored a little, poor church in Wainsgate, England, where his pay was just 25 pounds per year.

In 1773, Fawcett was welcome to turn into the minister of an a lot bigger church in London. At first, he acknowledged the new position. In any case, as his assets were being stacked for the voyage, the individuals from his congregation came to say goodbye to him.

The tearful goodbye was so moving that John’s wife, Mary, cried out, “John, I cannot bear to leave!” “Nor can I,” he responded. “We shall remain here with our people.” Their belongings were taken back off of the wagons, and John Fawcett remained in Wainsgate for the entirety of his 54-year ministry.
Years later, as he reflected on his decision to stay, Fawcett penned the words to his most-well-known hymn: Blest Be the Tie That Binds. The familiar words of that song resonate with the loyalty and love that characterized the pastor who wrote them.

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
Before our Father’s throne,
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts, and our cares.

Fawcett’s story illustrates the legacy of long-term commitment in pastoral ministry. In yesterday’s post, we looked at four practical suggestions for sustaining your ministry over the long haul. Today, we will consider six more:
Be thankful and be humble.
As a servant of the Chief Shepherd, you need to be grateful for the flock that Christ has entrusted to you, and regularly tell both them and the Lord of your deep gratitude. Contentment begins with confidence in God’s providence. Your church may not be as big or as financially well-off as the church down the road, but you can be content if you trust that God has sovereignly placed you exactly where He wants you to be. It also helps to always remember that, no matter your circumstances, you are unworthy of what you’ve been given.
Don’t think you deserve a bigger ministry than you have. It is grace that has placed you in such a noble calling. Learn to define success in terms of faithfulness and not in terms of popularity. The measure of your ministry is not determined by numerical growth, but by adherence to truth in life and message. While many preachers seem to work for earthly glory, godly preachers humbly labor for the glory that is yet to be given to them, in the presence of their Lord.