A Life In Balance, Part 3—Ministry and Leadership

Here is the final installment on balance—for now! I have been blessed to write this series and hope that it has inspired you as much as it has me. 

Thanks again for reading!

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A LIFE IN BALANCE—Part 3

Ministry 

           Ministry balance is difficult because God is at the core of everything a minister is and does. He must be a committed Christ-follower himself, while being a shepherd to his family and also to his church. A pastor is required to be on the job 24/7, just like a homicide detective; when the pastor gets a call in the middle of the night, his wife and family are expected to understand, roll over, and go back to sleep. But the pastor, especially of smaller churches, seems to never sleep. And because of the time-consuming and complex duties of a professional minister—senior pastor or otherwise—burnout is an occupational threat.

Continuing with the homicide metaphor, in a recent article, Thom Rainer described a so-called autopsy of a burned out pastor. In the analysis he offered thirteen lessons from those who had arrived at such a dreaded point in ministry. A few indicators were that burned out pastors “would not say ‘no’ to requests for time…had no effective way to deal with critics…served a dysfunctional church…[their own] family was neglected…[they failed] to take a day off…[and have] never learned effective relational and leadership skills.”[33]

These symptoms point to a crisis in the church of the 21st century. Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership authors McIntosh and Rima paint a dismal picture of codependence in the church—one-sided relationships where a person relies on another for meeting most of their emotional and self-esteem needs[34]—when they write:

Many codependent leaders have destroyed themselves in ministry as they tried in vain to keep an entire church happy and meet every other need while ignoring their own family and personal needs. Burnout, divorce, adulterous affairs, and physical illness can result when a leader fails to redeem his or her codependent behavior. It is highly likely that codependency has crippled more churches and Christian organizations than any other leadership malady.[35]

            To maintain health in ministry, families, congregations and leadership must help insure the emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing of staff members.

Leadership

Abraham Lincoln’s example of leadership showed that no one is able to do everything on their own; they must employ subordinates who will do what is essential to assure success. Lincoln leadership expert Donald Phillips wrote, “Those subordinates who will take risks, act without waiting for direction, and ask for responsibility rather than reject it, should be treated as your most prized possessions.”[36] Phillips said those subordinates are extremely “rare and worth their weight in gold. And when you finally find one – as Lincoln found [and relied on] Grant [as opposed to McClellan and Hooker] – they tend to multiply.”[37]

A good leader is wise to recruit talented people with diverse strengths to compliment their weaknesses. If everyone on the team has the same skill-set, then very little will be accomplished. Balance in ministry will require a wide variety of skills and personalities, all cooperating together toward a common goal.[38]

One of the greatest things any leader, minister or parent can do for their employees, flocks or families is to create and maintain grace-filled environments. “Most people know an environment of grace when they see it,”[39] say authors  Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol, and Ken McElrath. “Grace means people don't get what they deserve. It means we treat each other better than we expect to be treated ourselves. Grace transcends justice. We meet a need expecting nothing in return. We forgive. We pay back insults with concern.”[40]  This same grace is offered to those who fall into sin or fail in their obligations or relationships. J. Oswald Sanders says that with every rebuke or corrective measure taken, one must “always keep the spiritual restoration of the offender in view.”[41] In seeking redemptive solutions to problems, an environment of grace must infuse every aspect of ministry.

Education

Casey Neistat, a Youtube vlogger, who boasts a whoppoing excess of 5 million subscribers to his channel, made a profound observation in a recent video. A frequent viewer wrote in to ask Neistat how a person might best realize their dreams and move ahead in life. The answer seemed prudent beyond his thirty-five years when he replied:

The best advice I can give…is to keep very, very busy, and for some people it means going to college. [Figuring out what to do next in life] manifests itself in a million different ways, but sitting around trying to figure it out will never yield results.[42]

Although Neistat dropped out of high school in the 10^th grade, he understands the value of education and not determining one’s future while standing still. This student’s philosophy is similar.

Education was rarely encouraged in my blue-collar, southern California upbringing. There were at least two attempts to attend college after high school graduation in 1978. The final four-year effort—following a six-year period of time on the road as a touring musician, then marriage and children—led to a BA degree in religion and music from Mobile College in 1989. Then after ten years of more touring, songwriting and seminar teaching, a Masters degree in worship from Liberty was started in 1999. After a year the attempt on a Masters degree stalled, but was finally resumed in 2014. The degree was completed in Spring 2016.

I began the DWS (Doctorate) program at Liberty in the Fall of 2016. The plan while accomplishing this goal, as well as afterward, is to continue writing books, blogs and magazines on worship and artistry, teaching worship, songwriting and artistry in a university setting, and to continue writing songs and leading worship in a local church. After obtaining the DWS degree, there is a high possibility of attaining a Ph.D. in worship.

Missions/ Evangelism

Henry Blackaby puts it very simply in that when Christians respond to God's invitation to salvation they then become a part of the Almighty’s “mission of world redemption.” Blackaby prompts, “The salvation God offers comes with a corresponding summons to be on mission with Him.”[43]

Being called to the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-20) is also the church’s invitation to worship.[44]  As worship is the ultimate goal of the church, John Piper points out that the Great Commission exists because worship does not. “Missions,” says Piper, “is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.”[45] 

The Great Commission encompasses local, regional and international missions, and a balanced church ministry will attend to each of these. In January 1996, the Lutheran World Federation's Study Team on Worship and Culture held a conference in in Nairobi, Kenya, and introduced a set of guidelines for which every missionary of the gospel would be wise to consider. Anne Zaki condensed the article into a concise list of four truths that convey the worship methods a missionary may adopt when ministering in foreign cultures, or even within one’s own homeland. Zaki wrote:

Christian worship relates dynamically to culture in at least four ways. First, it is transcultural, the same substance for everyone everywhere, beyond culture. Second, it is contextual, varying according to the local situation (both nature and culture). Third, it is counter-cultural, challenging what is contrary to the Gospel in a given culture. Fourth, it is cross-cultural, making possible sharing between different local cultures.[46]

With these guidelines in mind, the church will find a balanced approach to missions and worship.

Pastoral Ministries

            The approach to pastoral ministry is as a shepherd. David was a shepherd of sheep and of people (Ps. 78:72); Jesus was the Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20); Paul charged the leaders of the church at Ephesus to shepherd the people (Acts 20:28); and Jesus reinstated Peter back into ministry by saying, “Feed my sheep” (v. 17, NIV).

            The church needs spiritual shepherds. The 23^rd Psalm speaks of the importance of shepherds: to feed the sheep by leading them to nourishing pasture in which to graze (vs. 2a); to help quench their spiritual thirst (vs. 2b); to help bring strength and guidance (vs. 3); to bring protection and to lead during difficult times (vs. 4); to extend favor and value as a member of the family of God (vs. 5); and to bring stability and confidence that God’s provision and security is eternal (vs. 6).

Relationships in the church are fundamental for a shepherd (IS. 43: 1, 4). Ministers must be trustworthy, compassionate, patient and generous, among other important attributes; the shepherd must also garner the trust of the congregation (Jn. 10:4, 27). These qualities are only obtained through humbly relying on Christ for strength and wisdom.

Within the realm of shepherding is caring for and calling on the flock; this must be done in a balanced manor. Steps must be taken by ministry elders and staff to protect a lead shepherd’s schedule. Appointments may include visiting with new church attendees, hospital patients and families, funerals and grieving families, and general visits with people needing prayer, spiritual guidance and encouragement, especially widows and the orphans.

The greatest responsibility of a shepherd is to lead the congregation in worship. Of course this may not mean he or she plans and leads music, but the lead shepherd is most certainly the lead worshipper. The lead shepherd, as Psalm 23 points out, has the ultimate responsibility of the caring and feeding, through the Word of God, of the flock (1 Pet. 5:2, 4).

Providing all of these duties and obligations of ministry can be daunting. Just as was described earlier, many have succumbed to burn out after being overcome by discouragement.

Working hard at a profession while prioritizing God and family is much like a juggling act, notes Chief Executive Officer of VMware, Pat Gelsinger. He and his wife have developed a system to bring balance between work and home. He writes:

[The] days I’m home before 5: 00 p.m. are worth two points; days I’m home before 6: 15 p.m. are worth one point; and days I’m home after 6: 15 p.m. or not home at all that evening are zero points. Weekend days that I’m away get minus one point. The sum of those points for the month is the numerator. The denominator is the number of work days for the month. At the end of each month, we compare the sum of these points with the number of work days in the month…[This system] puts the data in front of both of us and allows us to focus on the real issues.[47] 

            The key to a balanced ministry includes wisdom, discipline, and awareness.

Age-Graded Ministry Balance

        Scripture says: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21).  This is proof that God looks favorably on the generations. With the Worship Table concept, referring to the model that Ross Parsley’s church abides by, there is a multigenerational approach to everything they do.[48] Parsley says a multigenerational approach is needed in marriage ministries, student ministries, children’s ministries, and worship. This viewpoint of ministry can certainly bring the generations together. Worship that includes various age groups encourages the whole church—older folks, and everyone in the middle, sing God’s praises with the kids. Doing church, says Parsley, “is definitely a multigenerational ministry.”[49] Proverbs 6:20-23 encourages the church to maintain a multigenerational approach to ministry, continually helping to connect the child and the parent with truth. Dennis Rainey refers to this as generational connectedness.[50]

A Well-Balanced Christ-Follower

To paint a picture of a mature disciple of Christ, one may turn to a description presented by J. Oswald Sanders:

Jesus trained His disciples superbly for their future roles. He taught by example and by precept; His teaching was done “on the road.” Jesus did not ask the Twelve to sit down and take notes in a formal classroom. Jesus’ classrooms were the highways of life; His principles and values came across in the midst of daily experience. Jesus placed disciples into internships (Luke 10:17–24) that enabled them to learn through failure and success (Mark 9:14–29). He delegated authority and responsibility to them as they were able to bear it. Jesus’ wonderful teaching in John 13–16 was their graduation address.[51]

            This description may seem very simple but the fact is: Christ-followers learn as they go, in the midst of daily experiences. It will only be our Lord who has the authority to say: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” (Matt. 25: 21, NIV)

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Footnotes

            [33] Thom Rainer, “Autopsy of A Burned Out Pastor: 13 Lessons,” Thom S. Rainer: Growing Healthy Churches, Together (June 23, 2014) http://thomrainer.com/2014/06/autopsy-burned-pastor-13-lessons/ (accessed July 13, 2016).

[34] Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT, “Symptoms of Codependency,” PsychCentral, http://psychcentral.com/lib/symptoms-of-codependency/ (accessed July 13, 2016).

[35] Gary L. McIntosh, Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership, Kindle Edition location 1892.

[36] Donald T. Phillips, Lincoln On Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times (Illinois, USA: DTP/Companion Books, 2009), Kindle Edition, locations 1682-1686.

[37] Ibid.

[38] Jamie Harvill, Worship Foundry: Shaping a New Generation of Worship Leaders (Bloomington, IN: WestBowPress, 2013), 15.

[39] Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol, and Ken McElrath, The Ascent of a Leader: How Ordinary Relationships Develop Extraordinary Character and Influence (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1999), Kindle Edition location 419.

[40] Ibid.

[41] J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership: A Commitment to Excellence for Every Believer (Chicago: Moody Press, 2007), Kindle Edition locations 2786-2789.

[42] Casey Neistat, “Overpowered Motorized Skateboard” (Vlog # 119, July 22, 2015) CaseyNeistat, YouTubeRed, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSCoVPoCt1U (accessed July 13, 2016).

[43] Henry Blackaby, Richard Blackaby and Clause King, Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God (Nashville: B&H Publications, 2008), Kindle Edition locations 834-836.

[44] David Wheeler and Vernon M. Whaley, The Great Commission to Worship: Biblical Principles for Worship-Based Evangelism (Nashville: B&H Publishing, 2011), Kindle Location 2007.

[45] John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad! The Supremacy of God in Missions (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1993), 11.  

[46] Anne Zaki, “Shall We Dance?: Reflections on the Nairobi Statement on Worship and Culture,” from the book Worship and Mission for the Global Church, James R. Krabill, ed. (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2013), Kindle Edition locations 2416-2422.

[47] Pat Gelsinger, The Juggling Act: Bringing Balance to Your Faith, Family, and Work (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2008), 147-148.

[48] Ross Parsley, Messy Church: A Multigenerational Mission for God’s Family (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2012), 65.

[49] Ibid., 69.

[50] Dennis Rainey and  Dave Boehi, The Tribute: What Every Parent Longs to Hear (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994), 63.

[51] J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, Kindle locations 1149-1153.

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