At my church we have a months leadership class called Bethel 401. Bethel 401 is a leadership class. One of the sessions is called The Art of Self Leadership. In this lesson we cover seven questions to help determine how well you are leading yourself. Over the next several posts we’re going to talk about each of these questions. All of the questions are valuable, but I think one stands out above the rest.
In ministry there can be a lot of uncertainty. Let’s be honest, I think at some point, everyone has considered quitting. I know I’ve had brief moments when I’ve wondered (typically in an exceptionally stressful time) “is there some other job I could do?” There’s no question that ministry can be difficult. Really, life in general can be hard. I don’t think it matters if you are full time minister, volunteer leader, stay at home mom, or employed outside of the church we all face times when doubt sets in and we think quitting may be easier.
So, what’s the first question we ask in The Art of Self-leadership? It’s a foundational question. It’s the question you should ask first. It’s the question you have to ask everyday–especially when it’s hard…“Is my calling sure?”
The power of this question is immediately clear.
If you’re calling isn’t sure, you begin questioning all of it… Jim Wideman has a great post if you are questioning the clarity of your present ministry called “Should I stay or should I go?” Let me encourage you to read it if you’re struggling.
If your calling is clear, then you know with certainty, no matter what the problem, you have to press through. You have to trust God to take care of you. You must have the faith to accept that the difficulties, trials, and challenges you face serve a purpose. Clarity of calling allows you to endure. Plain and simple. Ministry is not a sprint, life is not a sprint, Christianity is not a sprint. It is all a marathon.
With clarity of your calling, you endure. Pastoral challenges, volunteers quitting, parents yelling, arguments with leaders…if you’re calling is sure, you endure. You endure because you know God has placed you in your place of ministry. You endure because you have confidence you are sustained by certainty in your calling–the calling God has placed on your life. This is the faith that is spoken about in Hebrews 11 and 12. The confidence and strength drawn from faith. Faith in God and his calling for you!
