Balancing the Demands of Ministry

Like many other ministry leaders, when I was first called to ministry, I had passion and zeal to change the world for Christ. After all, we get the privilege of introducing people to the creator of the world, to a God who can dramatically change the human heart for good. I couldn’t wait to see how God would use me in his epic story.

I quickly found out that ministry wasn’t as easy or as glamorous as I thought. That first summer, as an intern, a student drowned at one of our retreats. I can remember sitting in the hospital room with the brother of the student who just died. I thought, “Why did the youth pastor choose me to be here with the brother?” I felt so inadequate. Youth ministry is supposed to be about leading kids to Christ, discipling them and having fun. Yet here I was dealing with a tragedy.  I learned that ministry was less about fun and more about walking with people through life, both the highs and lows.

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Thriving in a Broken World

One of my favorite movies is Les Miserables. It is a powerful story of mercy and renewal. The trajectory of one man’s life was changed by a single act of mercy.

You might remember the scene: Jean Valjean, a former prisoner, was running from the law when a kind priest brings him into his home and feeds him. Later that night Jean Valjean goes back to the home, knocks the priest out and steals his silver. The next day Jean is caught and claims the priest gave him the silver. The authorities bring him back to the priest; but instead of having him thrown into jail, the priest states that he did give him the silver and told the authorities that Jean forgot to take the candlesticks as well.

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