So far in this series, we’ve looked at the springtime of our seasons in life and the newness of serving. Today we will dig into the summertime of ministry.
(Be sure to check out the previous articles in the Leading Through the Seasons of Life series.)
What does this season look like? It’s a season of growth. Things are beautiful and green. When watered it continues to stay green and begins to bear blossoms that lead to fruit. But sometimes in this season, we are waiting for the fruit and are not always patient with the time it takes to grow and develop that fruit.
For you, this may mean it’s a quick growth of a ministry; there are victories and many women are involved. You wonder how in the world you will stay ahead of it all. You may struggle with keeping your focus on the purpose of the ministry as you try to do everything anyone asks you to do.
It is essential in this time of rapid growth that you DO keep the focus on why this ministry exists. You must state it over and over to your team and to all who are asking you to do something outside that purpose. If you try to do it all, your ministry will become scattered in nature, women will be confused on the strategy, and you will eventually begin to lose momentum.
Evaluate where you are seeing the most impact in lives and watch for how to capitalize on that to reach more women for transformation. Take stock of the results of getting women to the cross, into Bible study, sharing their faith, serving, and into healthy Christian relationships. Move forward in those few areas where ministry is most effective in doing the things that support your purpose.
For you, summertime can be a time of rapid spiritual growth personally. Look for places to share what God is currently teaching you. Pray that you will hunger and thirst even more for Him, and then enjoy the blessings He is pouring on you as He grows you and the ministry He is doing through you.
Next time, we will look at the autumn of ministry.
In the meantime, you might want to get a copy of Dr. Jeff Iorg’s book that has inspired this series, Seasons of a Leader’s Life.
Chris Adams is senior lead women’s ministry specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. Learn more about Chris here.
