Faithfulness or Foolishness: Understanding Your Ministry Stay
Hello Church leaders, welcome back to our series drawing insights from Wade Hodges's book, "When to Leave." We're challenging every church leader who has grappled with the question, "Am I staying out of faithfulness or foolishness?" As we continue our journey towards healthier leadership, let's dive into this thin line between perseverance and stubbornness.
Faithfulness in Question
The term 'faithfulness' is deeply ingrained in our calling but can be misconstrued. While being faithful, we may at times avert signs of when it's time to move on due to fear, pride, or reluctance to admit. Wade compels us to introspect our motives for staying by pointing out four common traps we fall into:
- Fear of Failure: Are you staying merely out of dread about public perception on your departure?
- Misplaced Loyalty: Is guilt or obligation, instead of genuine dedication, binding you to your current role?
- Pride: Are you ignoring signs to leave merely to validate your decision to stay?
- Ignoring Signs: Are you enduring a toxic or dysfunctional environment under the pretense of faithfulness?
To ensure your decision aligns with your calling and values and isn't rooted in fear or pride, you need to evaluate your 'why.'
Evaluating Your 'Why' in Leadership & Ministry
Understanding whether you're staying out of faithfulness or fooling yourself involves honest and humble evaluation. Here are three steps you can take to gain perspective:
- Ask Tough Questions: Bring clarity to your reasons for staying. Is it out of love, purpose, calling, or negative factors like fear or pride?
- Get Honest Feedback: Discuss your situation with a mentor, a trusted friend, or your spouse. They may provide insights into perspectives you've missed.
- Pray, Reflect, and Listen: As a church leader, your faith is paramount. Bring your motives before God in prayer and ask for wisdom to understand the reasons behind your decision.
Ideally, sit with a pen and paper, and honestly jot down the reasons for your stay. Writing often helps visualize your thoughts and brings clarity.
For a detailed discussion on this, tune into today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode.
Remember, understanding your stay's motive isn't just about immediate comfort. It's about aligning your decisions with the calling that led you to this ministry. Decipher the difference between faithfulness and blindness to move forward in your growth as a leader, and more vitally, for your church's wellbeing.
