Guest Post: 10 Things You Should Know Before Working In The Church

1.) Humans are human and so are you, follow the Apostle Paul’s lead!

I Tim. 1:15, “Here’s a trust worthy saying that deserves full acceptance, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst.’” Any time you work with people you will be getting your hands dirty because sin is dirty. Keeping a healthy perspective of who you are and where you’ve come from will ensure that your attitude stays on track.

2.) Have the energy to pay the rent so real ministry can thrive.

 There are administrative tasks that relate to the business side of ministry; Bills must be paid, insurance maintained, buildings cleaned, flower beds weeded, employees evaluated, and this list could go on and on. Streamline these details of ministry in such away so as to place the people around you in close proximity to those who need to know the hope of Christ; the Holy Spirit can do the rest.

3.) There’s never enough, learn to be at peace anyway.

 There are always people we don’t get to visit, dollars unfunded, studies that could be taught, sermons to be tweaked, appointments to be arranged, and records to be organized. The average number of years a person stays with a ministry position is 2. Ministry can burn you out if you do not take the time to care for yourself. Remember the feeding of the 5,000 started with 5 loaves and 2 fish, Jesus made up the difference.

4.) Working for the church doesn’t insulate you from temptation, if anything, it increases it.

 The presence of evil in this world works overtime to knock off track the faithful. Model integrity by never asking someone else to do something that you are not also doing. I John 4:4, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world!” 

5.) No matter how good you are you are not indispensable, work with all your might to honor and worship of God anyway.

 The mission of the Kingdom of God was advancing before you were born and will continue to do so even when you are gone. God’s mission is not dependent on your desire or effort; it’s dependent on Him. When you have a spiritually arrogant attitude your dependence on God quotient dwindles. Romans 12:1-2!

6.) People pick at each other’s scabs don’t be triangulated by gossip it is a purpose killer.

 Ask yourself the question, “Has the person, who reported this to me, gone directly to the person they are referring to with their issue?” If they haven’t gone to that person then it must not be that important because that’s the only real way the issue can be resolved. Don’t own anxiety that is not yours. Use Matthew 18:15-17 as your model for dealing with gossip. 

7.) God often calls you to do what is unpopular with the majority of people, do the right thing anyway.

 Change is an unpopular thing, don’t measure your value by the loudest voices or the number of complaints. Learn to listen without owning someone else’s pain and displeasure.  For a short course in this I suggest you read Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah. Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

8.) It’s more important to worry about people who are coming than people who are leaving.

 People will stamp their feet and threaten to take their ball and go home. God will provide another ball. Trust in the faithfulness of God who has called you according to His good purpose for your life. The people who are coming are hungry for the hope of Christ, use your limited energy and resources to ensure they receive it.

 9.) Always hold out redemptive hope and offer others real love even when it is scary.

 We only have the right to offer someone the message of God when we’ve first offered them the love of God. New relationships will begin and others will end. Love will hurt sometimes but in the end it’s worth it. Try to see those who are falling short the same way that Christ sees you when you fall short.

 10.) Keep discipleship and evangelism connected.

 I’m convinced that the reason the national average attendance at church is at or just under 100 people is primarily due to the fact that this is about all one person (usually the pastor) can effectively communicate with, manage, and organize. It is only when we disciple other people who have found the hope of Jesus Christ that we encourage them to get in the game, use their spiritual gifts, and become the Body of Christ!

Jim Moon is the Pastor at Park Memorial United Methodist Church.  Jim has 15+ years of ministry experience under his belt. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids and doing anything in the outdoors!