16 Apr
How Do You Increase Your Ministry Shelf Life?
Shelf life is the length of time certain items are given before they are considered unsuitable for use or consumption. It is the time in which the defined quality remains fresh, acceptable, viable, usable, and effective under normal or expected circumstances.
Ministry shelf life has been impacted negatively in response to the desire for a younger presence and fresh image from ministry leaders. Forced termination or demotion of leaders as a result of this epidemic reminds us that the ministry shelf life where we serve is not always ours to control. What we do control, however, is that we serve and continue to do what we can to remain viable and usable even if it is no longer here.
Ministry leaders who coast and ignore steps to actively increase their shelf life often find themselves only prepared to lead a church or ministry that no longer exists. What they once learned is not nearly enough to sustain them for their entire ministry. So, what can leaders do now to increase their shelf life before their freshness date expires?
Recalibrate – Plan or devise carefully so as to have a precise use, application, or appeal; Fine-tune; Make corrections or adjust; Revamp; Recast; Refashion; Reform; Remodel; Reconstruct; Renovate; Revise; Rēcreate; Start something new; Refurbish; Reimagine or form a new concept; Reinvest; Refabricate; Reinvent.
Redux – Reboot or Restart; Go back to the beginning and do it better the second time; Restore life or vigor; Reawaken once again in strength and potency; Reinterpret an older work; Discover something that was weakened can be brought back to full strength with the capability to again be a force to contend with.
Rĕcreate – Engage in recreational activities other than work; Occupy oneself in a diversion; Play; Relax in order to attain equilibrium; Reinvigorate; Revive; Refresh mentally and/or physically; Rest; Impart fresh life; Lighten up; Seek contentment; Engage in an activity of leisure; Take discretionary time; Enjoy; Be amused; Value pleasure.
Rededicate – Be set apart again for a special use; Impart new or fresh life; Yield complete and wholehearted devotion; Recommit to where He has called you; Revive spiritually; Renew consecration to a life of ministry; Give of yourself entirely; Go all in again.
If you are saving your best for where God will call you next…why would He want to?
Posted by Jack Jacob on 16.04.12 at 7:01 am
Actually, this is a good question for pastors as well as worship leaders. I guess I mean senior pastors, lead pastors, etc. I think that the answer is that I have to keep growing personally, so that God is talking to me about His vision for the church, but also about His vision for me personally. When I do this, it seems that there is much less problem with staying “fresh” to use the language of shelf life. When I get full of myself, distracted from the primary purpose of my ministry and life, or discouraged from development, then intend to get stale. From a lead Pastor’s point of view, God can always get my attention again and this seems to breathe life back into my leadership potential and vision.
I guess the basic issue is that people should be asked to follow God and not follow me. If I am following Him, then they seem to be following me because we are both going the same direction.
Not sure if this helps or applies, but it is a little from the lead/senior pastor side of the house.