“Ministry is complex, problematic, difficult and fraught (loaded) with risk.”- Dr. Bobby Clinton, Fuller Theological Seminary.
Let's talk about the Middle Ministry years. To borrow the words of one writer, middle ministry years are "the best of times and the worst of times." It is during these years that a subtle shift begins to take place in the minister's focus. The shift is from a focus on spiritual formation, to skill formation. It's a good shift and often timely for him or her.
It usually begins to dawn on the minister that just because he can pray and study the bible doesn’t mean he has the skills to communicate it. Or just because he has good character doesn’t mean he can administrate a church. When this realization sets in, a strong desire to develop ministerial skills usually follows.
Keep in mind most ministers are not born with many of these skills, they have to be developed and learned. Skill formation could include such things as: administrative, leadership, motivational or possibly confrontational skills. The list could go on and on depending on the minister.
With the major focus of middle ministry years on "doing," often other areas become neglected. Here are a few inherent dangers that seem to emerge in middle ministry years.
1. The danger of moving away from spiritual disciplines.
Skill formation is a subtle shift into doing ministry more effectively. There is always a danger when doing becomes over emphasized. It is easy to move away from spiritual matters.
The inherent danger is that the minister becomes skilled- but nonspiritual.
2. The loss of a learning posture.
The temptation during middle ministry years is to stop learning. Most stop reading in this season of life and consequently learning declines. The minister must posture him or herself to be a lifelong learner.
Fail to maintain a learning posture and one can only operate out of an old wineskin. The result is staleness instead of fresh oil.
3. Family/Marriage conflict arising in the home.
When the kids leave home, the foundation of a marriage usually gets tested. Those who have not built a good foundation are in for a rough go.
Marriage commitments must be renewed nurtured and guarded during all seasons of ministry but especially the middle ministry years.
4. Identity crisis - caused by a shift from being to doing.
Most ministers carry a lot of hidden emotional baggage. Hurts, wounds, unrealized dreams and expectations hit you hard during this time period, especially things you haven’t had the courage to face. (i.e. fears, forgiveness issues, unrealistic expectations, etc.)
Most ministers go through great emotional adjustment in middle ministry years.
5. The danger of coasting.
Due to prolonged and stressful ministry conditions, many tend to coast in their middle years– it’s easier. Others, because of weariness, frustration and continued discouragement simply lose heart.
Coasting can look very inviting after years of pedaling.
Conclusion
Are you getting my drift about the danger zones unique to the different phases of ministry? I hope so –they are real and can present serious challenges to the minister and his family. However, never forget, You Can…Survive the Danger Zone.
Coach John
Works Cited: J. Robert Clinton, Making of a Leader
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