Teddy Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States of America. For most, this would be the most significant thing they ever accomplished, but Teddy wasn’t like most folks. He climbed mountains, rode in battle, and traveled through dark and unexplored jungles. He preached what he called the doctrine of the “strenuous life.” He believed it was good to intentionally pursue the difficult, to chase after the costly. Born with some physical challenges, Roosevelt was always looking to prove to himself and the world that he was truly strong; convinced that the only way to prove his worth was to overcome trials.
If ministry leadership is uniquely challenging, why would we pursue it? Do we, like Teddy, undertake the difficulties and the sacrifices merely to prove that we are able? Why is ministry leadership worth the work?
1 Peter 5 is addressing the elders of the church, but I believe his encouragement extends to ministry leaders of all types. He writes, “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:1-4).
The hope for the ministry leader is an unfading crown of glory coming for those who serve, lead, teach, bless, care for, shepherd, and minister to the people of God. Notice a few things in these verses. The elders of the church are to live as shepherds, just like Jesus. He is our model for ministry leadership. We want to be leaders who resemble Jesus. The elders are called to shepherd the flock that is “among them.” Ministry leaders, whether shepherding the church at large or stewarding the niche ministries within, are embedded and participate with localized groups of people. Leadership involves significant relationships with specific people. We know how tempting it is to look at the “influencers,” the people on the platform at conferences, and the names on books and think, “That's the kind of ministry leadership I want.” The Lord may give you a chance to write on pages and speak on stages, but ministry leadership should never be separated from meaningful participation in a local church.
The leadership Peter commends is marked by desire and direction. Ministry leadership might be your job, but it must be more than just a means of earning a living. One of the key features of leadership is calling. God calls you to serve His people, and we respond to that call by laying down our desires and following His direction. Surrender to God is a crucial component of faithful ministry.
In light of what we discover across the Bible, I believe there are three significant reasons why ministry leadership is worth the work: privilege, presence, and pursuit.
Ministry leadership is a precious privilege. When Hezekiah restores order and purity to the temple, he stands before the priests and the Levites and tells them: “My sons, don't be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand in his presence, to serve him, and to be his ministers and burners of incense.” (2 Chron. 29:11) Paul testifies: “I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.” (Eph. 3:7) He believes that not only his salvation, but also his ministry and calling, is a gift of God's grace. For Paul, proclaiming the gospel was a precious privilege. Leadership is not an entitlement; it’s a gift.
Ministry leaders are guaranteed a promised presence. The apostles were well acquainted with the struggles of serving, reaching, and teaching God’s people. Most of them endured persecution and affliction that we cannot imagine in our ministries today. What upholds the apostles during their sufferings? It is God’s promised presence that is with them and in them. In Paul’s words, “I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me.” When Moses stands in the presence of Yahweh at the burning bush, he asks God: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Ex. 3:11). Moses confesses his insecurity, inability, and ineptitude. And how does God respond? Yahweh doesn’t give Moses a pep talk. He promises Moses that He will go with him: “God answered, ‘I will certainly be with you…’” (Ex. 3:12)
Ministry leadership is a purposeful pursuit. Why do we not give up as we seek to serve God’s people? “Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up…For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake” (2 Cor. 4:1-5). We were shown mercy when we didn’t deserve it! We were given the good news of the gospel! The calling to ministry leadership is a purposeful pursuit. It is grounded in what God has done, and its goal is the glory of God.
How do we avoid the icebergs?
There is no doubt that the sinking of the Titanic is one of the greatest maritime disasters in history. At the time, it was the largest passenger ship in the world. It was a luxurious ship and was proclaimed “unsinkable.” For its maiden voyage, it was completely full as it set sail from England to New York City, crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Then it sank, killing over half of the people on board.
Why did the Titanic sink to the bottom of the sea? Because it hit an iceberg. The unthinkable happened to the unsinkable. The Titanic was a very big ship going very fast, and the man at the wheel, Robert Hitchins, turned the ship in the wrong direction when he was told about an approaching iceberg. The Titanic sank because it went in the wrong direction.
How do we avoid the icebergs on the journey of ministry leadership? We set sail in the right direction. We listen to the counsel of those who have gone before us. We learn from faithful leaders, but above all things, we keep our eyes on the chief shepherd Jesus Christ. He is our North Star.
We are going to make mistakes. All of us are going to run aground; we are going to find ourselves lost in dangerous waters. When we do, Jesus Christ’s faithfulness will uphold us and keep us. Over the course of this book, we are going to try and help set or reset your ministry direction personally, pastorally, and professionally. But it is pivotal that before you listen to our “pointers,” you remember who all this points toward: Jesus. Yesterday. Today. Forever.
Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from The First Five: Beating the Odds and Thriving as a Ministry Leader by Kyle and Joseph Worley, released Nov. 10 from B&H Publishing.