Priority #4: Perseverance
Is anyone else sick of pastor failures?
In our hyperconnected world, we hear constant stories of failure. Adultery. Abuse. Apostasy. Discouragement abounds.
It’s worse when it’s a man you know. Sometimes a moral failure. No less painful are resignations because of fallouts among elders or an overwhelming battle with depression.
Which is why today’s topic is so important.
We’ve discussed the three of the four priorities of ministry. Proclamation, Prayer and People. Today’s topic is often overlooked, but potentially the most important.
Perseverance.
In particular, I want you to make a commitment by the end of this post. To commit that by the grace of God you will still be pastoring the church you are in by January 2027.
In this brief article, I want to discuss three aspects of perseverance:
What to persevere in
Why you should persevere
How you can persevere
Let’s look at each in turn:
What to Persevere In
Perseverance isn’t good in and of itself. We don’t want anyone to persevere in anger or false doctrine!
But there are some things that you must persevere in. Here are six:
Persevere in faith: All true saints persevere to the end. But that perseverance isn’t passive. Church leader are particularly assaulted in their faith. Staying Christian is priority number one. It’s better to leave the ministry than lose your faith. Do whatever is necessary this year to keep clinging to Jesus.
Persevere in personal devotion: The first sign of struggle is losing your own relationship with God. It’s so easy to be pressured by other priorities. You have pressures for another visit, another sermon, another meeting. What happens alone with God, though, is the fuel to persevere.
Persevere in marriage: Infidelity is easier than ever. You simply pull out your phone. Plus ministry presents its own temptations. However hard your marriage is, your promised exclusivity until death parts you. Keep that promisǝ
Persevere in gospel proclamation: You are called to preach the gospel. Some compromise to prevent persecution. Perhaps as evangelicals, the greater temptation is to prioritise theological hobby horses over Jesus. You were called to preach the gospel. Be faithful to that calling.
Persevere in ministry: There are times to step back. Retirement due to ill health or a realisation that you aren’t up to that task. But often a desire to resign is a desire for an easy life. You were never promised that ministry would be easy. There is a dearth of gospel ministers which will only worsen in years to come. A calling to ministry is a holy thing not to be lightly cast off.
Persevere in your rural church: Again, it’s not always wrong to change churches. But you made a commitment to this church at your ordination that should not be cast off lightly. At least for the next year, continue.
Why You Should Persevere
But why should you persevere? Here are a few reasons:
Persevere because God’s way is best: God does call us to suffer. But this suffering always has a purpose. Like a doctor who gives painful surgery for long-term health, so God’s ways are always best in the long-term.
Persevere because the grass isn’t greener: It’s easy to idolise change. Whether it’s a different church, a different job or a different woman. But the grass is only greener in the New Jerusalem. No life is without suffering. Choose to suffer for a worthwhile cause.
Persevere for the love of your people: Paul likened his congregation to his children (1 Thess 2:7-12). It’s a good metaphor. Your children cause you more pain than anyone else. But they also bring the most joy. It’s the same with a congregation. Suffering is the price we pay for love. But true love “always perseveres” (1 Cor 13:7)
Persevere to see souls saved: Ministry is like farming. You sow for a season, and only later reap the fruit. A farmer who left his farm before harvest would never see the fruit of his labout. And neither will a pastor who is quick to leave. But stay there ten or twenty years, you’ll see the fruit. Teenagers you discipled becoming elders. Resistant husbands being baptised to the joy of their wife. Prodigal sons coming home. Don’t leave before the harvest.
Persevere for the crown of glory: The Bible unashamedly tells elders to pursue heavenly reward. After giving instructions to pastors, Peter says: “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1 Peter 5:4). One day you will get the “Well done good and faithful servant” that makes all the suffering worthwhile. We persevere when we see that is the end goal.
·Persevere because Jesus is worthy of worship: Ultimately, Jesus is worth any suffering. He died for you. He took the wrath of God for you. Can you not bear a few years of stress that he may be glorified?
How to Persevere
How do we persevere then? There are many things to say but let me just mention a few.
Lament: I could just say pray, but there is a specific type of prayer you need. Lament is bringing your grief to God. They are the most common psalms. Even Jesus lamented on the night he was betrayed (Mark 14:34). Bring your pain honestly before God. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Love your wife: The Bible is not coy about the way to deal with temptation
“Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (1 Cor 7:5)
“A loving doe, a graceful deer — may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love. Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?” (Proverbs 5:19-20).
Of course, this cannot be separated from making your wife feel loved and valued. But if you become tempted by abstinence, be honest. Your wife will prefer an awakward conversation to finding a sordid internet history.
Rest: Six days shall you labour. Not seven. Take your days off, your holidays and sleep at night. It’s better to pace yourself for a thirty-year ministry than burn yourself out in three.
Care for the body: Unlike God, you are not a Spirit. You must care for the body he has given you if you are to persevere. Spend time in nature. Move your body. Eat well. These all have an effect.
Share the load: Elders are always plural in the New Testament. One of the chief roles of elders is to help one another persevere. Open up about your struggles. If they are godly men, they will want to help not criticise.
Pursue friendship: Godly men of the bible are always surrounded by friends. Find ways to connect with friends. We hope Rural Project connections can be a way to do that.
Speak to experienced pastors: If your goal is perseverance, listen to the wisdom of those who have persevered.
Churches need pastors. If you are one, the best thing you can do for the glory of God is persevere in faithful and holy ministry.
Let’s commit to making 2026 another year we persevere in faith, holiness and gospel ministry
