Ministry can be lonely.
Worship leaders look out across congregations who don’t worship.
Pastors preach their heart out to people who don’t pay attention.
Sometimes you disciple people who don’t follow through.
Frustrating. Messy. Should you just quit?
My generation is passionate about quitting.
We like to move around – keep our options open. While that’s not always bad, I believe we bypass important life lessons when we keep quitting and keep moving on.
I have a friend who’s a serial quitter. Every time we have a conversation he’s doing something new. He’s living in a different part of the world. He has a new career.
The problem with this kind of life is your influence never gains traction. You give up too soon.
The more you quit, the more you’ll keep quitting. And it may not be for the right reasons.
Quitting for Worship Leaders
Worship leaders think about quitting quite often.
You watch enough Hillsong videos to know that your congregation isn’t that big.
You’re not that “successful.”
Your people don’t worship that hard.
So how do you stay content with where you are and give your all where you are? What keeps a talented worship leader leading in the same church for years?
If only you could be here. If only you could be there. If only your pastor did this. If only…you could get discovered.
Quitting is popular. Pursuing fame is hot. But that doesn’t mean it’s always the best decision.
Before You Quit, Try This…
What can you do right now, where you are?
1. Mentor someone – Nothing kills a person more than selfishness. The more you ignore the people around you to pursue your own self-interest, the more your soul dies. We were made for relationship. We were made to empty ourselves to make others better. Before you quit, mentor someone.
2. Give it your best – Before you quit, give it your all. For a while now, you’ve probably been coasting, investing your heart elsewhere. What would happen if you gave your best? What could be possible if you invested your whole heart right where you are?
You never know – around the corner of your struggle could be the breakthrough you’ve been praying for.
3. Fall back in love with Jesus – Ministry doesn’t work if you don’t love Jesus. I know, “Thanks for the obvious truth, Dave.” But it’s one my fragile heart struggles to live.
Ministry isn’t a science. There’s no quick formula for success. Success in ministry is directly related to your secret place of intimacy with Jesus.
Quitting isn’t the devil. Sometimes it’s the best decision. But before you do, stay put and take a deep breath.
You may need to struggle and overcome before you can be all that God wants you to be.
Question: What are your thoughts on quitting? What has your ministry experience been? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
I definitely remember that feeling at one of my churches…I played with the same 5 people for 5 years, leading a congregation of about 75 people. I went to a conference and got to sit in on the band’s rehearsal. “THIS is the kind of band I want to lead.” In the weeks following my thousand mile drive back home, I began asking the Lord to allow me to go.
His response went something like “treat this like your first real assignment and then we’ll talk.” (reference #2 above). Something inside me changed, and a year later, when I was no longer looking, I got an opportunity to move cross-country and lead where I’d have much stronger leaders to develop me further. By that time, I actually said “but I’m happy where I am, I don’t need to go anywhere else.”
It’s fun to look back on the journey and see the Lord’s hand in it!
Dave, that’s a great story. Amazing how the Lord changes our hearts.
been serving under the same padtor for 26 years.
theres been occasions that ive felt like attending a different church, but most of the time God is trying to develope something in me if i will just stick it out. sometimes the situation changes, and sometimes i change. more offen the latter.
It’s funny how we are the problem most of the time, isn’t it?
Great words….especially like the “Mentor Someone”….even though I am not a Worship Leader, I feel like I can still be encouraging to people who want to become a part of music in worship. I hope that I can encourage these people to sing, play, and worship for the glory of God and nothing else. Leave my ego at the door and just serve…..
Lisa, you’re a rockstar. Not even a worship leader and you’re inspiring people to use their gifts in worship. Keep it up!
Love it. So I was at a point a few months ago where I was “checked out” to say the least. My body was present and I was getting the job done but I wasn’t really there. As a result of a couple of voices in my life I was convicted that if I was gonna do my job then I really needed to DO MY JOB and intentionally mean it. I had to check back in just for the sake of serving Jesus well.
There are still some things that I really wish were different but if I’m gonna be here then I gotta be checked in.
Great post. Full of truth and great suggestions.
PK
Good point, Paul. Any tips on how to stay “checked in”?
Well I would suggest people start with your 3 “try this” items. They are hugely important and spot on. I would also suggest doing some listening prayer. Take time to get away for a day or a week. Journal, dialogue with God and let him speak to you about what He wants you to do. I find that when I’m really feeling the urge to quit I can usually work through it after some down time. Change your environment, do something different, get out of town. It helps to had time to let any toxic thoughts or feelings air out, get a fresh perspective, then you come back with a new appreciation for the gift of vocational ministry God has given you.
God cares about your needs and desires but you have to let him care. Give him time to answer before you move.
This post is ment for me! since high school I have lived in 5 different states attending different colleges and following different “callings”. I have been at my current church 3 years. There are many times i find myself thinking about how green the grass is on the other side. but at the core the reasons are always selfish.
thanks for this post it reinforces what I need to know
You’re right, Adam. The grass is always greener elsewhere. But I’ve found once you get “elsewhere” you’re still not satisfied 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
O boy! How many times have I had this conversation with my ( Pastor) husband – and how do you keep going when your own people – the ones who were too busy to give their time or even come more than occasionally, suddenly abandon you to go to the new trendy church down the road to go to the same events we had to abandon because no one would come! mmm this is such a point of pain. So what keeps me going? 1. I love Jesus! He poured out His life for me .. how can I take that for granted! 2. verses like in Hebrews 12 – right after the big Faith chapter where the saints kept faith even when they never saw the promise comes Heb 12 :1- 3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
I memorised those verses! persevere – keep our eyes fixed on Jesus – throw off the doubts and sin – remember the joy to come – so much gold in these verses for me.
3. Keep your life in balance – have fun with your friends and family, enjoy the blessings God pours on us each day, don’t make your ministry your idol, but worship the Lord
4 . Keep growing and stretching – keep fresh
I like number 1. The more you ignore the people around you, for your own self interest, the more your soul dies. When I get “needy” in a place of service, this is usually the culprit (putting my discomfort or desire over His) and it is poison if taken. I could end up doing or not doing all kinds of things that have nothing to do with His work in me or in others.
What He is doing in someone else’s life often intersects or compliments what He is doing in mine. It is usually not about becoming clones of each other, or even about doing the exact same work in the same way.
I have been trying some new ways in mentoring and serving those I share space with (my teens,their friends, relatives, coworkers, & neighbors-at home, work and church) Being there to gently support wins and fails, discoveries, when they reinvent the wheel, when they disagree, or get frustrated, or simply need to find their own path is the best of it. To only delegate, answer questions when asked, or direct from my own point of view is pretty limiting and stifles the potential we each have and the ministry or work we have together in the day.
I am wanting better sight into the core issues, instead of focusing and reacting and responding only to behavior and outcomes, in relationships and ministry. I think this will strengthen me, focus me, and commit me to larger purposes, and open me up to working better with and for others.
Sometimes my kids make me want to pull my hair out, and they would say the same of me.
I would not trade the challenge of being together in trying times and places though. When you go through difficulty or set impossible goals, in community, you learn what is worth something and what is worth letting go. To fight/argue/disagree/discuss/dream, with out destroying each other and while learning is something worth the effort. You learn to appreciate one another and you come to see His face in others and maybe even in the mirror. You learn to laugh and smile with and at one another. And you learn to respond to Him, whether He is commanding or lain beaten on the side of the road needing medical attention.
We are in the place and time we each are for a reason. And it is hard for everyone in different ways.
His song is playing 24/7 all over the universe, without beginning or end. He loves us fiercely and we GET to love Him back. Best thing we can do is let Him help us release, turn away and overcome what would try to distort, drown out, disrupt, clash, or try to replace His singing out for our very souls.
Seth Godin did a little book about quitting “the Dip” that is a good read on this topic. I know from experience that my life got better when I stopped the cycle of doing so much that I had to keep quitting. Actually doing what matters when and where it matters for the season you are in or approaching makes is way easier to deal with later than just sitting around wondering and complaining about what really matters (or mattered) most.
We only have the time we have, why not use it well? And best to not forget to use the lamp when sin (sun) has set upon us. John 11:9
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I realize I’m finding this post year’s later and may not reach you but I want to say thanks. This comes at a time when I have reached a point of lost passion and more disappointment. As a 5 year worship leader at my church I deal with the things many do, members who are always late to everything and don’t realize the trust they lose with the others and myself. I have come to a place just like is described here and my heart and mind are running in circles. I have told the team and my Pastor that I will be stepping aside. It feels terrible and I, defeated. Reading this sparks hope in me that I can strengthen my secret time as well as reminds me I have given less than my best, my whole heart, in the face of my situation. Thank you. I will try to continue the good you did with me.