jordan muck

The ministry is a work in progress. Ministry can take on many forms and can look different depending on the location your in. Often times, pastors feel that they are “behind” or “failing” in the places they minister. They feel as if the are not “on top” of their game anymore. While it is easy to focus on pleasing man, God is the one who desires your attention. He is the one we should always seek to please. These are a few steps that you can use to stay “on top” in ministry.

Check it out.

• Step 1: Focus on your relationship with Christ. If your relationship with the Lord is in the trash can then you can forget about making an impact on the people in your ministry. Remember, more is caught then taught. Think, “What can I do right now to increase my relationship with Jesus Christ? How can I show the love of Christ through my actions instead of my verbal teachings?”
• Step 2: Establish deadlines to get your projects, sermons, and events done. People are going to pop up all over the place at the most random times. Since the ministry is all about people, they are the most important part of your time. Remember, if you don’t manage your time well, someone will for you.
• Step 3: Pray over everyone and everything. One thing I rarely write about is the importance of prayer. I always think pastors just “know” that they are supposed to pray about everything. Whenever I come in contact with anyone, I constantly try to pray with them and for them before they walk away. Spend time praying for your ministry and the people in it. Let God do the work you can’t.
• Step 4: Manage the people around you and empower them to do kingdom ministry. Pastors are often thought of as men who do all the work in the church. Our biggest job as teachers of the word is to empower people to use their gifts. (This includes young people). Everyone has a gift. Think, “How are I empowering people to use their gifts? How can I enabling people to grow the body of Christ?”
• Step 5: Measure your “success” and “failures” on a regular basis. Always evaluate what is “working” and what needs to be cut. Often times we get in spiritual ruts that are impossible to escape. Evaluate everything to see if it’s working. This includes minor details like lighting and chair set-ups to major details like programs, timing of activities, and the way your communicating. Think, “What are I doing right now that can be better? What isn’t working that I holding on to or afraid to let go of?”

Ministry is a lifelong process full of ups and downs. It takes time, energy, and dedication.

Think about it.

-Jordan