by Stephen Hay | Aug 4, 2025 | Leadership, Conflict, Spiritual Formation
Resilience and Differentiation for the Long Road of Pastoral Ministry
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial…” – James 1:12, ESV
It is no small thing to pastor a church today.
Shepherding souls in a fragmented, post-pandemic, digitally frayed, emotionally fragile world requires more than just theological precision and strategic savvy. It demands something deeper, something quieter, and more enduring.
It requires resilience. It requires differentiation.
These aren’t merely psychological buzzwords; they are pastoral lifelines. They help anchor the weary leader who feels tossed about by congregational demands, social pressures, and the slow erosion of joy in ministry.
And perhaps, brother pastor, you’ve felt it lately.
The State of the Shepherd
Let’s begin with sobering honesty. According to Barna Group, 42% of pastors seriously considered quitting ministry in 2022, and that number only recently began to decline. Only 11% rate their mental and emotional health as excellent, a steep fall from 39% in 2015. Loneliness, isolation, discouragement, they’re no longer rare; they’re common.
More alarmingly, 40% of pastors are at high risk of burnout, up from just 11% eight years ago. Ministry isn’t merely hard, it’s hazardous.
But the dangers aren’t always visible. They often wear the mask of false responsibility, self-neglect, and chronic reactivity. We carry too much. We give too much. And eventually, we begin to lose ourselves not in Christ, but in the approval of others, the tyranny of the urgent, or the slow slide into numbness.
If you’ve ever gone home after preaching only to collapse into despair, you are not alone. If you’ve ever questioned whether your leadership is enough, you are not alone.
But Scripture offers another way. And it begins by rooting yourself in who God is, who you are in Him, and how you lead from that place.
Resilience: The Steadfast Heart
Resilience in Scripture is not the absence of struggle; it is perseverance through struggle.
Paul writes, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair… So we do not lose heart.” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9, 16, ESV)
Resilience is not stoicism. It is not hiding your wounds behind Sunday’s smile. It is the quiet tenacity that says, “I may be pressed, but I am not crushed.” It is the resolve to keep showing up in grace and truth, even when the fruit feels hidden.
Ajith Fernando calls resilience the fruit of joy in the gospel: “Experiencing God’s covenant love results in joy and provides the key to serving God over the long haul. When the joy goes, the strength goes.” – (Desiring God)
Tim Keller echoes this: “Extraordinary stress takes extraordinary prayer… You cannot serve others unless you’ve put on your own oxygen mask first.”
Ministry without rooted joy becomes duty. And duty, unmoored from delight, breeds burnout.
Which is why pastors must watch their hearts. Proverbs 4:23 commands it: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Resilience is forged in solitude with God, in stillness before His Word, in the unseen places where we bring our griefs and dreams to Him again.
Differentiation: The Steady Soul
If resilience is about enduring hardship, differentiation is about leading in the face of anxiety.
Borrowed from Family Systems Theory but deeply biblical in tone, differentiation means remaining emotionally connected to others without being emotionally controlled by them.
It means being able to say, with grace and conviction,
“This is who I am, this is what God has called me to do, and I love you even if you disagree.”
Joe Rigney puts it plainly: “What Friedman calls ‘self-differentiation with a non-anxious presence,’ the Bible calls ‘sober-mindedness.’” (Leadership and Emotional Sabotage)
Scripture speaks to this in the clearest of terms: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” (Proverbs 29:25, ESV)
Differentiation means we do not preach merely what the people want to hear, but what the Word demands we say. It means we shepherd gently, yet we stand firmly. We do not mistake anxiety for urgency, nor volume for conviction.
Dan Doriani puts it this way: “We must beware not only of narcissism in pastors but also of timidity. A pastor without confidence in God’s calling will either become a doormat or a despot.”
Differentiation is the path between. It is clarity without cruelty, conviction without combativeness.
Why Both Matter Now More Than Ever
Our churches do not need superhuman pastors. They need resilient, sober-minded, gospel-anchored shepherds.
When you, as a pastor, live with joy in Christ and clarity of identity, it changes the entire emotional system of your church. A non-anxious leader becomes a calming force. A joyful leader becomes contagious. A resilient shepherd invites others into hope. A differentiated pastor calls the church toward maturity.
But when we lead out of fear, insecurity, or exhaustion, we pass that anxiety downstream. Unchecked burnout breeds reactionary leadership. And nothing hinders Gospel witness like a joyless, defensive, emotionally reactive church.
Which is why we must begin here with ourselves.
Not to navel-gaze. But to abide in Christ. To remember that identity precedes activity, that sonship precedes shepherding, and that Jesus does not need us, but chooses to use us.
Three Commitments for the Road Ahead
For the pastor who longs to lead with strength and soul intact.
1. Tend Your Soul Before You Tend the Flock
“But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” – Luke 5:16, ESV
The shepherd who neglects his soul eventually leads from scarcity, not abundance.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, modeled a rhythm we dare not ignore. Amid crushing need and surging popularity, he withdrew. Not because the work was done, but because intimacy with the Father mattered more than incessant activity.
You are not called to be a martyr to ministry pace. You are called to abide (John 15:4). And abiding cannot be microwaved.
Let your mornings be unhurried. Trade sermon prep for soul prep. Sit before the Word not to mine it for content but to be mined by it for character.
Tending your soul may mean:
- Saying no to evening meetings in order to say yes to prayer and sleep.
- Scheduling quarterly personal retreats, not to accomplish tasks but to hear God’s voice.
- Reordering your week so that your first priority is worship, not work.
As one pastor put it, “You can’t lead people to green pastures when you’re grazing on gravel.”
Ministry is a marathon. Pacing matters. And the soul you tend today will be the shepherd your people need tomorrow.
2. Anchor Your Identity in Christ, Not in Congregational Approval
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” – Proverbs 29:25, ESV
Congregational affection is a gift. But if you build your identity on it, you will crumble beneath it. You were not called to be applauded. You were called to be faithful.
Paul knew the danger: “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). When the pulpit becomes a stage for validation, or every email becomes a referendum on your worth, ministry becomes emotionally unsustainable.
A secure pastor is a steady pastor. He does not confuse criticism with condemnation. He does not mistake congregational silence for divine absence. He remembers that the Father’s voice already spoke over him: “You are my beloved son… with you I am well pleased.”
Anchoring your identity in Christ may mean:
- Confessing the subtle idol of people-pleasing and repenting regularly of it.
- Re-reading your call story in moments of doubt.
- Surrounding yourself with truth-tellers, not flatterers.
You are not “pastor” before you are “child.” You are not a public figure before you are a hidden worshiper. Your Father sees. And His approval is both enough and unshakable.
3. Lead with Calm Courage, Not Reactive Control
“Be sober-minded; be watchful.” – 1 Peter 5:8, ESV
We live in anxious times. Your congregation feels it. So do you.
Differentiated leadership is the quiet refusal to be ruled by the loudest voice in the room. It is courage under fire, composed not because you’re unbothered but because you’re anchored.
The pastor called to shepherd God’s people must develop a thick skin and a tender heart. Thin-skinned leaders either capitulate or explode. Hardened leaders protect themselves but wound others. But a sober-minded leader, the kind Peter exhorts us to be, stands steady in storms, eyes fixed on Christ, lips filled with grace and truth.
Leading with calm courage may mean:
- Learning to pause before reacting, creating space to pray, to listen, to think.
- Refusing to be triangulated into conflict. Instead, asking: “What’s mine to carry here?”
- Embracing hard conversations as opportunities to disciple with clarity and compassion.
The mature shepherd doesn’t need to control outcomes. He simply needs to walk in faithfulness. Control breeds anxiety. But courage, rooted in trust, breeds peace.
Let your presence be a balm, not a barometer. Your calm becomes the congregation’s calm. Your courage becomes their compass.
A Final Word
If no one has said this to you lately, hear it now: Your faithfulness matters.
Not your flair. Not your follower count. Not your flawless leadership.
Your faithfulness.
Your steadfastness under trial.
Your non-anxious courage.
Your joy in Jesus.
And your Savior sees. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
May it be said of you not because you burned out impressively, but because you abided relentlessly.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV
by Stephen Hay | May 23, 2025 | Spiritual Formation, Church Health, Leadership
Ministry leader, may I ask a tender but urgent question?
When was the last time you looked at the people in your congregation and thought, We are stewarding their gifts well?
If you hesitated, you’re not alone. But perhaps more importantly, if we don’t know how to answer that question, we may be missing the means God gave us to build His church.
In a time when attendance feels fragile and volunteers feel few, it’s easy to believe the lie that people aren’t interested in serving. But what if the problem isn’t a lack of willingness, but a lack of clarity?
The Church Isn’t a Stage—It’s a Body
The Apostle Paul reminds us: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit… to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4,7)
Note Paul’s words: to each is given.
There is no Christian on the sidelines of God’s mission—unless we put them there. The Holy Spirit has assigned gifts to every believer, not just for their fulfillment, but for the strengthening of the whole church. When we fail to help people identify and activate those gifts, we cut off the supply chain of the Spirit’s power meant to flow through His people.
This is not just bad leadership—it’s poor stewardship.
We Don’t Have a Volunteer Shortage—We Have a Vision Shortfall
Consider this:
85% of born-again adults have heard of spiritual gifts.
Yet nearly half, 46%, say they don’t know what their gift is, or believe they don’t have one at all.
And even among those who claim to know, only 30% can identify a biblically rooted gift. The rest either misidentify personality traits as gifts or can’t describe how their gifts are being used in the church today.
These aren’t stats to shrug at. They are a flashing warning that we’ve taught church membership without discipleship, and celebrated involvement without discernment.
Gift Awareness Fuels Spiritual Growth
Let me encourage you with this: helping people understand and deploy their spiritual gifts is not a leadership tactic—it’s a discipleship practice.
When believers are given language for how God has wired them, they begin to walk with fresh confidence in their identity in Christ. In fact, 82% of self-identifying Christians say that developing their gifts draws them closer to God. Among practicing Christians, that number rises to 97%.
Can you see the beauty? Teaching gifts don’t just get people into service—they get them deeper into Christ.
Gift Clarity Builds the Church (and Prevents Burnout)
Here’s what pastors often miss: when we fail to identify gifts, we default to filling holes. The most eager volunteers tend to receive the most tasks. Those who aren’t upfront or outspoken get overlooked. And we silently assume that “availability” is the same as “anointing.”
But what if, instead, we took time to discover who God has already placed in the room?
What if we said: No one does everything, but everyone does something. And we will help you find that something.
Churches that teach and deploy spiritual gifts experience up to a 35% greater retention of volunteers. They grow more sustainably. And more importantly, they bear fruit that lasts.
Pastor, Start With Yourself
Before you go searching your congregation for gifts, ask yourself: Do I know my own?
Your ability to lead with clarity depends on knowing how the Spirit has equipped you, not just as a shepherd, but as a part of the body. Knowing your gift mix humbles you, keeps you from over-functioning, and frees you to make space for others to lead.
Let the work begin with you. Then create a culture where others can follow.
Next Steps, Not Guilt Trips
This isn’t a call to do more—it’s a call to see differently. The Spirit has already done the heavy lifting. You’re simply called to steward the gifts He’s entrusted to your flock.
So ask the questions:
- Do we teach about spiritual gifts with biblical clarity?
- Do we help people discover and discuss their gifting?
- Do our ministries align with the gifts God has actually given?
- Do our people feel celebrated and developed, or just used?
Because if every member has been gifted for the common good, then the church has already been equipped to flourish.
We just need to unearth what’s been buried.
And then—by God’s grace—fan it into flame.
by Stephen Hay | May 23, 2025 | Leadership, Spiritual Formation
Because the Heart Can’t Shepherd What It Can’t See
“Keep watch over yourselves…”
Before Paul says “and all the flock,” he says yourselves.
Acts 20:28 isn’t subtle. And yet, how many of us in ministry have spent years watching the sheep, but not our souls?
We prepare sermons and lead meetings, cast vision and resolve conflict, all while ignoring the emotional dashboard that’s quietly blinking ‘overload.’ Or worse—numb.
And here’s what we know, if we’re honest:
We’ve mastered the art of appearing unshakeable… even when we’re spiritually and emotionally threadbare.
That’s where Emotional Intelligence (EQ) comes in—not as a buzzword, but as a biblical tool.
What Is EQ—and Why Should Pastors Care?
Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions—and the emotions of those around you. It isn’t sentimentality. It’s soul-wisdom in real time.
In modern terms, EQ includes five key areas:
- Self-awareness
- Self-regulation
- Motivation
- Empathy
- Social skills
In biblical terms? It bears a strong resemblance to the fruit of the Spirit. It sounds like James: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry.” It smells like Christ.
The Data Is Clear: EQ Is Ministry Survival Gear
Let me show you just how critical EQ is for pastoral leadership:
- Burnout is on the rise. Over 40% of pastors are now at high risk—up 400% since 2015. But research shows that pastors with high EQ experience far lower burnout across every measure.
- Leadership effectiveness increases. One study of executive pastors showed that EQ alone explained 42% of their perceived effectiveness. That’s nearly half.
- Conflict is handled better. Emotional intelligence equips us not to avoid conflict (a temptation in ministry), but to transform it—through empathy, regulation, and wise timing.
- Job satisfaction and team morale rise. EQ doesn’t just change how you feel—it shapes how your entire staff team functions, collaborates, and grows.
- Christ-like leadership becomes visible. Congregations don’t follow charisma—they follow character. Emotional maturity isn’t optional for a shepherd. It’s essential.
The Gospel Requires a Self-Aware Shepherd
We are not called to be perfect, but we are called to be present—to ourselves, to our people, and to the Lord.
Jesus knew His emotional state. He wept. He grieved. He rejoiced. He questioned in the garden and showed compassion in the crowd. He lived with a holy awareness, even in the midst of anguish. So must we.
As pastors, we are not exempt from the need for emotional growth. We are stewards of it.
To know God more deeply is to know ourselves more clearly—not to obsess over our feelings, but to recognize that unacknowledged emotions don’t disappear; they disciple us in the dark.
Five Questions Every Pastor Should Ask:
- When was the last time I named what I was feeling, without spiritualizing it?
- Do I know how my mood shapes the tone of our meetings or sermons?
- Can I listen to criticism without spiraling or retaliating?
- Do I sense emotional shifts in others, or only react when it’s “too late”?
- Am I modeling emotional maturity for my staff, family, and church body?
This Is Discipleship, Too
Let’s stop calling it “soft skills.” Emotional Intelligence is spiritual formation. It is leadership fidelity. It is how we shepherd hearts, starting with our own.
So, to my fellow pastors and ministry leaders:
Don’t wait for a breakdown to start paying attention to your inner life.
Don’t assume high theology cancels out low awareness.
And don’t believe the lie that burnout is a badge of honor.
Start today. Be honest with yourself. Ask your spouse. Take the Emotional Intelligence assessment. Find a coach. Read the Psalms with fresh eyes—not just for inspiration, but for instruction.
We are not merely sermon-deliverers. We are soul-shepherds.
And the best shepherds know when their own soul needs tending, too.
Let the gospel shape you—emotionally, relationally, and deeply.
Because the health of the church often reflects the health of its shepherd.
And healing always starts with honesty.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
— Proverbs 4:23
by Stephen Hay | Apr 25, 2025 | Spiritual Formation, Leadership
I used to think stress was the enemy.
Like many pastors, I assumed that when my chest tightened and my to-do list felt like it had teeth, I was somehow doing it wrong—living outside God’s best, missing some secret formula for “peace that surpasses understanding.” Stress, I believed, was a neon sign flashing Failure! over my life.
But recently, I learned something that turned that assumption upside down.
I stumbled across the difference between distress and eustress—two words that describe two very different stories that stress can tell. It was Hans Selye, a scientist in the 1970s, who first named them. Distress is the story most of us know: the grinding, overwhelming kind of stress that erodes hope and health. But eustress (from the Greek word for “good”) is a different tale altogether—it’s the energizing, growth-stretching kind of stress that actually strengthens you.
It hit me hard:
Stress isn’t always the enemy. Misinterpreted stress is.
A Different Kind of Fight
As I dug deeper, I learned that the key difference between distress and eustress isn’t the size of the problem. It’s the way our hearts appraise it.
When a challenge feels bigger than our resources, it mutates into distress. But when a challenge feels just within reach, it sparks eustress—fueling learning, resilience, even joy. In God’s kindness, our bodies are wired to handle both—but they thrive when we name the story rightly.
And here’s where it got personal.
I thought about the new ministry initiatives we were launching—the way excitement had so quickly soured into sleepless nights, tangled in what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. Distress had been gnawing at me, not because the task was inherently bad, but because somewhere along the way, I had lost the perspective that God equips those He calls. I had stopped seeing the opportunity and only saw the threat.
Choosing to Reframe
One small but profound practice I’ve started since is learning to reframe stressful situations intentionally—right there in the moment. When a heavy meeting or a tight sermon deadline looms, I now ask myself:
“Is this a threat—or a stretch?”
“Is God exposing my weakness to shame me—or inviting me to trust Him for more?”
It’s startling how often my gut response changes. What once felt like distress now feels more like holy eustress—a chance to lean harder on the Spirit and discover new muscles I didn’t know I had.
I also started building small recovery rhythms into my days: pausing for prayer after long meetings, taking five-minute walks between writing sprints, practicing actual Sabbath instead of “crash-and-binge” days off. Those tiny margins aren’t indulgences. They are what allow eustress to sharpen me without tipping into burnout.
A Takeaway for the Weary Leader
If you’re reading this, weighed down under the demands of ministry, let me remind you:
Stress is not a sign you’re failing. It may be the sign you’re growing.
The enemy would love to convince you that every heavy moment is a sentence of doom. But Scripture reminds us:
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair…” (2 Corinthians 4:8)
In Christ, even our pressure points become places of renewal.
The challenge is not to eliminate stress (an impossible goal) but to rightly interpret it—to ask what kind of story it’s telling, and who’s holding the pen.
So the next time your heart races before you step into a hard conversation, or your mind spins with deadlines and sermons and counseling appointments, pause. Take a breath. Name the moment:
“This isn’t a threat. It’s an invitation.”
And walk forward with hope.
God is not just the God of peace in our stillness.
He is the God of strength in our striving.
And remarkably, He uses even the pressures of ministry—not to crush us—but to carve us more fully into the likeness of Christ.
May we be those who see God’s hand even in the weight, and who trust that in every pressure, He is making us more like His Son.
by Stephen Hay | Mar 24, 2025 | Spiritual Formation, Cultural Trends
Leading in a Time of Change
As a pastor, I often find myself reflecting on how to better connect with and guide my congregation. The cultural tides are shifting rapidly, and as leaders of faith communities, we must stay attuned to these changes if we hope to shepherd well into the future.
This past week, I spent time engaging with two significant research efforts from the Barna Group: their State of the Church 2025 initiative and the newly released Gen Z Volume 3. What I discovered was both enlightening and challenging—offering timely insights into the evolving landscape of church life and the spiritual hunger of the next generation.
A Glimpse into the Future Church
Barna’s State of the Church 2025 offers a compelling forecast of where the church is headed. At first, I met the data with some skepticism—wondering how charts, graphs, and statistics could fully capture the spiritual heartbeat of a congregation.
Yet as I read deeper, I was surprised by how closely the report echoed what I’ve observed in my own ministry. It spoke of:
- A continued shift toward digital engagement
- A growing hunger for authentic community
- An urgent need for spiritual transparency and depth
These aren’t just distant trends—they’re realities we are already experiencing. The data validated the undercurrents I’ve sensed among those in the pews.
The Call for Spiritual Authenticity
What struck me most was the emphasis on spiritual authenticity. Time and again, I see people—young and old alike—longing for a faith that’s real, raw, and deeply personal. Barna’s research confirmed that this desire is not isolated; it’s widespread.
This insight challenged me to ask: How are we creating spaces for authenticity in our churches? Are we giving people permission to wrestle, ask questions, express criticisms and doubt without fear?
For our ministry, this means moving beyond surface-level engagement and building a culture that nurtures honest faith journeys.
Understanding Gen Z: A Generation of Opportunity
Next, I turned to Gen Z Volume 3. My initial feeling was a mix of curiosity and caution. Gen Z is often described as complex, digital-first, and emotionally attuned. Could we really meet them where they are?
Barna’s report made it clear: this generation is seeking emotional health, meaningful connection, and spiritual authenticity. They are not disengaged—they’re searching. But they want to engage on relational, truthful terms through formats that reflect their world.
Rethinking Ministry for a New Generation
This realization led to some practical thoughts. What if we started piloting scripture-saturated small group sessions focused on storytelling, vulnerability, and the real-life application of faith. These aren’t programs designed to entertain; they’re meant to build trust and make space for real conversations.
Young people want to talk—they just need to know we’re listening.
Insights as Tools, Not Templates
Both Barna reports offered more than statistics—they offered a roadmap for ministry. They reminded me that effective leadership today requires more than tradition; it requires curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.
As pastors and ministry leaders, we must approach cultural shifts not as threats but as Good News opportunities. Invitations to rethink, relearn, and reimagine how we disciple others in a rapidly evolving world.
Moving Forward with Courage and Grace
In the busyness of weekly sermons and pastoral responsibilities, it’s easy to overlook broader trends. But if we hope to shape churches that endure and flourish, we must take time to reflect, learn, and adapt.
So, what’s the takeaway?
Let’s not fear change—let’s engage with it. Let’s use insights like those from the Barna Group as tools to better understand the people we serve. And above all, let’s lead with love.
In writing this, I’ve found renewed inspiration. I’m reminded that we are not just caretakers of tradition—we are co-creators of the church’s future. May we step into that calling with open hands, willing hearts, and the courage to lead well.
by Stephen Hay | Feb 26, 2025 | Eternity, Spiritual Formation
This morning, as I opened Desiring God, a particular article caught my eye: “Everyone Is Everlasting — But Where?” It’s a stark reminder of a truth we often push to the margins—every single person we encounter, minister to, and love is eternal. The question isn’t if eternity exists; it’s where and how we will experience it.
As I read further, I found myself both challenged and encouraged. The reality of eternity isn’t just a theological concept—it’s the foundation upon which we should build our ministry, our message, and our daily lives.
Are We Teaching for the Here and Now or for Forever?
It’s easy to get caught up in the present. Ministry often demands immediate attention—comforting the hurting, addressing practical needs, and speaking into the struggles of daily life. These things matter. And yet, the article pressed me to consider: Are we also lifting our congregations’ eyes beyond today? Are we equipping them with a faith that reaches past the grave?
Too often, eternal truths are left in the shadows while earthly concerns take center stage. But our time here is brief, a mere vapor, compared to the everlasting life—or everlasting separation—that follows. That thought should sober us. It should stir us. It should shape how we lead and what we emphasize in our teaching.
The Holy Weight of Our Calling
One of the most striking aspects is this gentle yet urgent reminder: The way we live now is shaping our eternity. Every conversation, every sermon, and every quiet moment of discipleship is an opportunity to awaken hearts to the reality of what’s ahead.
Are we reminding people not just of the joy of eternal communion with Christ but also the gravity of eternity apart from Him? Are we cultivating in ourselves—and in others—a longing for the presence of God beyond this life? These are heavy questions, but they are necessary ones.
A Shift in Perspective
This isn’t about fear-mongering or overemphasizing one aspect of faith at the expense of another. Instead, it’s about wholeness. It’s about ensuring that we do not neglect the eternal in our efforts to shepherd well in the present. It’s about shifting our gaze—lifting our eyes upward and inviting others to do the same.
The hope of eternity should not be a distant afterthought but a vivid, guiding reality. When we view life through that lens, everything changes:
- Our urgency in sharing the Gospel deepens.
- Our compassion for those who are lost intensifies.
- Our joy in Christ becomes more contagious.
Let Eternity Shape Your Ministry
To those of you faithfully serving—preaching, teaching, counseling, discipling—let this be a moment of realignment. Refresh the vision of eternity in your ministry. Let it shape the rhythm of your messages, the heartbeat of your service, and the way you lead others.
Encourage your community to wrestle with these questions. Walk alongside them as they consider the everlasting direction of their lives. In doing so, you’re not just preparing hearts for the challenges of today—you’re preparing them for the unimaginable glory that awaits.
Let’s keep eternity central, not just as a doctrine we believe but as a reality that fuels our purpose, passion, and proclamation of the Gospel.
