Have you ever felt overlooked in your own ministry? Like people don’t see you as “good enough” or fit for the role you’re assigned? Maybe it’s the small group you lead or the position you have at church. Maybe you’ve dealt with your share of drama and the petty comments keep you from pursuing your calling. Or maybe you doubt yourself and the effectiveness of your work.
Friend, I know the depletion and discouragement you feel. I’ve been there. But please, don’t let anything keep you from your calling.
This past week, I attended Proverbs 31 Ministries’ She Speaks women’s conference for communicators. I was coming from a place of exhaustion, and by the time I left, I was refreshed, encouraged, and confident in my calling. Over the week, God revealed several truths to me about one’s ministry and calling. Let these serve as an anchor that keeps you from drifting away from what He has for you.
1. Your calling is not an accident.
You will know your calling when you have clarity on what God has for you. Seek Him in prayer and worship. He will direct you to what He has for you as you trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). You might also consider a spiritual gifts assessment to identify your strengths and where you might be called to serve in this season. (While some quick tests are available online, I prefer Lifeway’s printable resources.)
For example, I have the gift of encouragement (in Scripture, sometimes referred to as exhortation). I see this in my calling to be a communicator, where I encourage others on a daily basis. In teaching, I’m known as an encourager to colleagues and students. My became even clearer when I led a successful small group and spoke life into individuals. And currently, I’m writing, speaking, and leading in women’s ministry to encourage other ladies in their walks with Christ.
While we may not know why we have certain giftings or callings yet, God does. He gave each of us unique gifts and skills for a reason. He wants to use you to advance His kingdom!
2. Your ministry should not feel forced or unhealthy.
Your ministry is defined by how you serve the Lord. Pastor Dave Trepanier of Gospel Life Church explains it as “a stewardship of God’s grace” because, in each of our ministries, we use our gifts for God’s glory1. Maybe you’re shepherding one individual through discipleship. Maybe you attend or lead a community group. Maybe you share the Gospel at your local coffee shop. You don’t have to be a renowned speaker with a major platform to have a ministry.
Whatever you do, your ministry should not feel forced. If you find yourself feeling this way, ask yourself: does my ministry align with my gifts and callings?
If you answered “yes”, how can you set boundaries to enjoy your work? If you responded “no”, what else can you do to advance the kingdom of God in your community, using your gifts?
While we all will have responsibilities and deadlines, and sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated, we should not feel pressured to perform. If your ministry is draining you, it’s time to rethink your work. Don’t allow unhealthy patterns lead to burnout or laboring in vain. Don’t grant yourself permission to strive for a title, recognition, or approval; your worth and acceptance already come from the Lord.
And here’s something to consider: The Lord asks us to serve Him with our whole heart, but He doesn’t want us to become depleted. He delights when our worship comes from our hearts, not our rituals. Jesus quotes the book of Hosea, saying “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’” (Matthew 9:13a, ESV) Jesus wants our hearts, not our habits.
3. Other people should not dictate or direct your own ministry.
Your ministry may be a part of your church or it may be independent from an institution. If your ministry is a part of a larger church or organization, respect what leadership asks of you. As Christians, we are called to honor our leaders. But, where you can, make it your own. Your ministry is your unique ministry. There may be avenues to pursue independently to fulfill the exact vision the Lord has given you. And that’s okay. Just make sure that you stay connected to the body of Christ.
God called you to your particular ministry because your story matters. Your gifts are needed in this world. People must see how Christ transformed you and how He continues to breathe life in you.
There will be people who criticize what you do. They might try to tell you how to run your ministry. That’s their opinion and you don’t have to act on it. And then, you might also have wise counsel who gives suggestions to build you up and help you grow. Those people also can’t lead your ministry for you. Their advice may be helpful, although the intention must be to benefit you and your ministry. If someone is determined to harm you, belittle your serving, or make less of your calling, you need to set boundaries. They can’t take away or take over what God has given you.
As always, whatever you do, do it for the Lord (Colossians 3:17).
4. Your ministry is to be taken seriously.
Your kingdom work is not to be regarded as pointless. While some people have a platform of millions, you may just have a few. And that’s exactly what God planned for you at this time. Your responsibility, your ministry, is to lead people to Christ and walk them through the transformation that comes with salvation. And that is never something that can be generalized. Write for the one. Preach to the one. Pray for the one. You can’t reach an individual with a generic, one-size-fits-all approach. You must be the person who meets another where they’re at and walks with them through their circumstances.
No matter where you find yourself, the point of your ministry at its core must be to go and make disciples. Your responsibility is to lead others to Christ. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus’s final command is this: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)
Jesus possesses all the power and authority, and yet he chooses to bestow on us this great honor. We have the privilege of going out into the world, telling people about Him, and obeying His commands! He doesn’t tell us how specifically; that’s why He gave each of us our own calling and ministry. Because Jesus spoke of this mission, the Great Commission, we must take our kingdom work seriously.
5. Your ministry is unique.
Certain ministry fields, such as writing and speaking, can be competitive. You may feel discouraged that you don’t have a certain number of followers or that your book proposal was rejected. When you get another “no,” you might ask yourself “is it even worth it anymore?”
I would argue “yes.” Every time, it’s a “yes.” Somebody else’s success does not make less of your ministry. Take those opportunities as learning experiences and keep improving. Those situations say nothing about who you are or how effective your ministry is; they simply are an indication that a particular platform is not God’s best for you in this season. Don’t neglect your ministry because it isn’t what you expected it would look like.
Nobody else can do the work that only you can fulfill in your ministry. At the conference I went to, one of the emcees asked us to raise our hands if we felt intimidated by everyone else there. I couldn’t. Instead, I was in awe at how God gave specific gifts and areas of influence to each lady there. It wasn’t a competition; it was a community. One woman was a physical therapist and her ministry was all about fitness. Another’s focus was on grief and healing. And another lady focused on technology and podcasting. Maybe for you, it’s navigating the single life, giving godly parenting advice, or leading well in the business world.
We are the body of Christ together. God appointed you and me to minister to different audiences, with different perspectives, and for different reasons. Even if we have shared in similar struggles, we have distinct approaches to help and to support the one in front of us. God will equip us for what He has planned for us. And when we come together as Christ’s body, we function in the most beautiful way.
I want you to read this verse out loud. Let it remind you that you have a unique calling and a particular ministry to share with the world:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
Your story matters. Your calling matters. Your ministry is going to change lives. Do you believe that today, friend? God created you with a plan that extends far beyond yourself.
Reflect
Where have you felt stuck or discouraged in your ministry?
Which of these 5 reminders is most helpful for you?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Resource
For all of my writing friends and fellow She Speaks attendees, we left the conference encouraged to write for an hour a day for the next 6 weeks. Use my “writing well” organizer to monitor when you’re writing, how long you are writing for, and what you accomplished during your time. It’s been helpful for me and I hope it can be the same for you! Click here to download your copy!
References
- Trepanier, D. (2016, April 28). The significance of Christian ministry. Retrieved from https://www.gospellifechurch.net/blog/post/the-significance-of-christian-ministry
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