There is an oceanic experience known as the doldrums, which refers to certain regions of the ocean marked by the absence of strong winds. Pastors and ministry leaders also experience what feels like ministry doldrums a season when the wind is not filling your sails and things feel flat.
These can be discouraging times — you may not see great spiritual advancement and ministry wins are more difficult to discern.
What can pastors and ministry leaders do to not lose heart during those inevitable times? Consider these three questions leaders can ask when experiencing ministry doldrums:
1. Am I where I am supposed to be? One thing I have learned about God in 35 years of walking with Him is that God will answer honest and sincere questions asked in humble submission. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Psalm 32:8 which reads, I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. I have prayed that verse for more leaders than I can recount and have leaned heavily on its truth more times than I can remember.
The old-time pastors used to say that your ministry is only as good as your calling. What they meant was that there will be times in ministry when the only thing that keeps you in a place is the certainty that God called you to that place and that He has not yet moved you to another assignment.
When things are slow in ministry it is good to go back to your calling, remember how the Lord led you to your current assignment and ask if you are still where you need to be. Every seasoned pastor I know has had to seek the Lord in times like these.
2. Am I doing what God wants me to do? A second question has to do with the purpose or vision God may have put in your heart when you initially responded to that calling, or since you have been in that place of ministry. What did God call you there to do and are you doing it? I must often come back to remember why I believe the Lord led me into my current role and make sure I am fulfilling that responsibility.
3. What can I do to make the biggest difference today? My purpose in life is to use my time, talents, treasure and trusteeship to make the biggest gospel-advancing difference I can make. That purpose is bigger than a specific assignment and helps me establish healthy boundaries to determine what I do and do not do with my time. It also allows me to prayerfully consider what I can do on those days that seem to be flatter and the wins are not so obvious.
I recently glanced at a social media post that listed 10 things young men need to learn. I never got past the first one which said, “You are not meant to be happy all the time.” The ministry doldrums may not be the happiest days of your ministry, but they can be a time to reflect on your calling and how you can best use your life to make the biggest difference for the kingdom of God.
Ministry doldrums come to us all, but they do not last. My prayer is that during those times you will spend time with God and position yourself to be ready when the wind of God’s power fills the sails of your life for the advancement of His mission.
