A.W. Tozer wrote, “It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular; it is why he does it. Motive is everything.” I agree and do not believe that serving in local church ministry is more spiritual or more sacred than serving in other spheres of society. While I do not believe it is more spiritual, I do believe it is more challenging.
About ministry, I’ve heard a few business leaders reference “the real world” as if those on church staff were not living in it. As if we were somehow unaware of what real work looks like, what real pressure feels like, and how a real organization is led. I’ve heard comments such as: “In the real world, we don’t get a day off.” “In the real world, our office hours are longer.” “In the real world, we don’t get paid unless…”
Before becoming the Senior Pastor of Mariners Church, I spent seven years serving as an executive leader in a publishing company. I have experience in both ministry and marketplace environments, and here are three reasons I believe the church context is more challenging.
1. The burden
When Paul listed his persecutions and sufferings, he concluded with the daily pressure he felt for the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28). The burden of loving and leading a church was more intense than the flogging and the stoning. The burden is a blessing as we get to shepherd God’s people, teach His truth, and help people encounter His grace, but the burden never goes away, as a pastor is never not the pastor.
2. The enemy
The enemy, the evil one, hates believers. He is the accuser, the one who steals, kills, and destroys (John 10:10), and the one who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Because a local church is a gathering of believers, the enemy is against her. Thus, the spiritual battles surrounding a local church and her leaders are fierce.
3. The responsibility
The responsibility of a church leader is to prepare all of God’s people for ministry, to hand ministry over to others, and to engage an army of volunteers in using their gifts to serve others (Ephesians 4:11-12). While the mandate is essential, it is not easy. It’s massively challenging to gather a group of volunteers, train them, and align them around a shared mission. It takes more than positional authority on an org chart, a paycheck, or the promise of a promotion. It takes deep conviction and wisdom from the Holy Spirit. I once heard John Maxwell say, “If you want to test someone’s real leadership, have him lead a team of volunteers.” Church leaders do so daily.
All work can be spiritual, so I am not advocating that pastoring is “more spiritual.” I am insisting that the blessed burden ministry leaders face is significant and often not fully understood.
Adapted from an article I initially wrote for Outreach Magazine.
