Hardships of Ministry

Today we had the opportunity to be part of the the staff meeting at New Hope Honolulu Campus. It started with a great worship time which was followed by weekly praise reports. Then the Holy Spirit led Pastor Elwin into talking about the hardships of ministry. He grabed two large boards, one on the left and the other on the right, and asked all the staff to say out loud all the things we “disliked about ministry.” Pastor Elwin recorded all these thoughts on the board on the left. With my surprise the board filled up quickly with all the honest things the staff disliked about doing ministry. Then Pastor Elwin asked us to say out loud all the rewards that come with ministry, and he recorded it on the right board. The right board was filled with encouragement and promises from God. Pastor Elwin continued explaining that there are a lot of things we dislike in ministry, but the rewards surpass all those things. With the help of the staff, we all came to the conclusion that ministry is a decision of obeying God’s calling. In order to get to victory you must have a battle! Ministry is not easy, but God’s rewards all greater. We don’t do ministry for God’s rewards, although by His grace we receive them, but because we choose to obey and follow! Pastor Elwin finished with scripture from Philippians 4:4-7 “ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, bu prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."