Every congregational leader I know deals with disappointment. Most of us have endured seasons where disappointment has been heaped upon crushing disappointment and where a resiliency of faith in the face of disappointment is difficult to sustain.
Here’s a disappointment short list:
- People you thought you could “count on” suddenly count themselves unreliable.
- The system… the denomination… “mother church” proves itself toxic and unreliable, more eager to injure than encourage and support.
- “I never thought I’d end up here… This was not the intended destination.”
- Good people seem more interested in self interest, comfort or convenience than following Jesus or making strategic changes for the sake of the mission.
- Disappointment with myself. I expected better of myself.
What would you add to the list?
Crushing disappointment leads lots of leaders into one of several tragic routes of escape while others elect to isolate and withdraw and allow hope to expire and courage to be crushed.
There’s a chorus of helpful tips that I suppose could be offered here.
Allow me simply to remind you this day that you are a dearly loved, baptized child of the heavenly Father. Your identity is firmly anchored in Him…apart from performance or the perception of others. You are a beloved child of the Father.
I invite you to overhear these words from the bank of the Jordan:
From me? A final word…. Thanks! What you do is important.
Rev. Dr. Jock Ficken
Thank you and needed, needed, needed to hear it!!!!!