Stress Test

Who is more stressed – the leader of a business or the leader of a ministry? That’s a question that I heard debated not long ago. The best answer is simply “yes” – either job can be filled with stress. In both cases, the leader shoulders the hopes and demands of many other people. When results don’t meet expectations, these leaders feel the sense of loss and failure. Even when the results are great, they feel the pressure to continue to achieve. While corporate stress can be incredible, the stress can feel even higher for ministry leaders. Rich Stearns, the president of World Vision, was previously the CEO of Lennox, maker of fine china. He once said that during tough times at Lennox, he would say, “Relax, it’s only dishes.” But at World Vision, daily decisions have life-or-death consequences for the thousands of people that they serve. That captures one of the major stress distinctions for ministry leaders. Whether in a small local church or a global compassion ministry, they are dealing with matters that have eternal consequences. Add to this the challenging and often nebulous task of moving people closer to God, along with the complexity of decision-making in most churches and ministries. No wonder it’s stressful. But I can’t stop there. Pastors and other ministry leaders also have major advantages compared to their business counterparts. The first should be the knowledge that they are never flying solo, even on the loneliest days. God is (or should be) guiding all their decisions. And when outward results are disappointing, the leader is no less loved by God than on his or her best days. Another advantage should be the environment in which ministry leaders work. Unlike corporate environments that are often cutthroat, the standards for behavior in ministry are anchored in love and respect for others. In truth, a debate over stress levels isn’t helpful for anyone. (It may only cause stress to rise.) So why did I write this blog? First, I want business and ministry leaders to each realize that the other’s job has plenty of stress. Don’t get into the debate. Instead, be concerned for the other and pray for him or her. Second, whether you’re in ministry or business, take hold of the stress-reducers that are available to every Christ-follower. Seek God’s wisdom in your decisions. Trust in his provision. And be reassured of his love regardless of outward circumstances. When you do that, you’ll be prepared for whatever stress test you encounter. It’s easy to receive my blogs by email. Just sign-up on Feedburner by clicking here.]]>