Sustaining Ministry for the Long Haul
How co-vocational life, the Holy Spirit, and simple rhythms shape lasting faithfulness.
Note: On April 17th, I’ll be hosting an in-person event to share some of the research we’ve conducted on discipleship and evangelism in Gen Z. If you’re interested in attending, you can RSVP here: https://liftchurch.engagespaces.com/Survey.Complete/1630234
I also plan to share some of the findings in future posts. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss anything.
A Different Path into Ministry
For the first 12 years of serving with our church, six of which were as Lead Pastor, I had full-time obligations in the professional world. When we were working on planting our fifth campus, and with a very specific sense of calling, I walked away from my professional career.
In the years of serving co-vocationally, many of my experiences with vocational pastors were discouraging. Generally, fellow pastors would respond to the co-vocational nature of our ministry with one of two critiques.
First, they would suggest that if I were a person of faith, I should trust God for provision through the ministry. Second, I would often hear that I was destined for burnout.
Both of these critiques were missing something.
Rethinking Faith and Provision
The source of one’s paycheck has little to do with faithfulness. Paul makes the case that the opposite can actually be true in Acts 20:34–35. Sometimes, our faithful obedience requires that we work with our hands to provide for ourselves.
The simple reality is that for many people in ministry, the financial burden is a tremendous weight. While some may be called to trust the Lord for provision through a full ministry salary, is it not possible that the means of provision could come through professional work?
Both require faith. It takes faith to see the Lord provide financially through ministry. It also takes faith to trust that the Lord will sustain us in co-vocational work.
The Real Source of Burnout
This leads naturally to the second critique of burnout.
Ministry is impossible in our own strength. Regardless of where our income comes from, the work of making disciples is simply too demanding to sustain for the long haul on our own.
Over the years, I have become convinced that burnout does not arise from too much work or from juggling many demands. Burnout is a product of labouring without the ongoing empowering of the Holy Spirit (Philippians 4:13).
In working with almost 100 co-vocational missionaries every day, I have the joy of witnessing how the Holy Spirit sustains, strengthens, and encourages us to continue serving faithfully, even when life is demanding, discouraging, or difficult.
So how do we sustain ministry for the long haul while juggling jobs, disciples, family life, and everything else?
1. Reliance on the Holy Spirit
I’ve already said this, but it bears repeating. We need God’s help. We need the strengthening of the Holy Spirit.
I am thankful for the physical and emotional hardships of ministry life because they have taught me to rely on His Spirit when I am weak. And since I am often weak, I need His Spirit every day to strengthen me for the work of making disciples.
We must not forget that everything we do in ministry is supernaturally enabled. Talk of strategy, tactics, and forms is useful only if we have first surrendered our lives at Jesus’ feet and asked Him to help us.
2. Integration
We cannot sustain ministry if our lives are scattered. If the components of our lives are streams of running water, they must all flow into the same river.
The ideas we teach, such as intentional proximity, open homes, and covenant relationships, are not just ministry strategies. They are part of the essential structure of a life that is sustainable in mission.
Integration means we can naturally incorporate ministry into our day-to-day lives. If I have to drive an hour to meet my disciples, it becomes a burden. If they are already in and around my home, it becomes natural.
Integration also means we have friendship and support around us.
3. Simplicity
As we move through life, we accumulate things that eventually weigh us down. This makes it difficult to remain flexible and responsive to ministry opportunities.
Simplicity means attending to the basics: eating, sleeping, exercising, and resting.
To create space for these, we need to practice the art of saying no.
Generally speaking, if a “yes” will detract from ministry responsibilities or undermine long-term health, then it is likely a “no.”