Secrets of Staying Power

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The occupational hazard of the Christian ministry and evangelism is discouragement.
John R. W. Stott

Those whom the Lord has destined for this great office he previously provides with the armor which is requisite for the discharge of it, that they may not come empty and unprepared.
John Calvin

For a year now I have been talking with pastors from across the country about the joys and the discouragements of their ministries. I have sat in the offices of dozens of these church leaders and read surveys from nearly two hundred more.

With some, I have been privileged to share in the high point of their ministries. "After ten years in ministry," wrote one, "my greatest sense of encouragement has come this year. I'm enjoying ministry." I've seen others in deep crevices: "I've never been so discouraged," said a minister in his forties. "This week I sent out twenty-two résumés."

What news can I report from the armloads of surveys and hours of tape?

A combination of good news and bad news.

First, the good news: Many, many pastors feel fulfilled in their calling and committed to their work. The vast majority of respondents to the Leadership survey said they feel positive about their ministry. Writes a Christian Church minister: "I've seen people changed by Jesus Christ. What else could I do with my life that would really count for something like that?"

The bad news: Thousands of pastors feel lonely, fatigued, discouraged, and ready to quit. Nearly half of all pastors responding to the Leadership survey said they regularly or often feel discouraged about their ministry.

The English Channel, that twenty-one-mile stretch of water between Dover and Calais, is still the ultimate challenge in long-distance swimming. "Ask channel swimmers ...

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