In 2021, Barna released a study about U.S. Pastors thinking about quitting the ministry. In this study, important information surfaced about the well-being of pastors in the U.S. They measured things like emotional, spiritual, financial, relational, and physical well-being. The results were alarming. Here was the response from that survey, “With pastors’ well-being on the line, and many on the brink of burnout, 38 percent indicate they have considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year.”
And that is where Jim Cymbala comes in. In 2020 and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Cymbala met with pastors from various locations and denominations. The overwhelming commonality between all of those pastors is that they were tired, overwhelmed, and considering leaving the ministry altogether. Out of that, Cymbala wrote the book “Fan the Flame: Let Jesus Renew Your Calling and Revive Your Church.”
This book is for Pastors who feel like giving up, are struggling with burnout, or even those who think everything is going perfectly well. We asked Jim Cymbala, the pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, about who he wrote this book for: “It is written to every pastor no matter where they’re at and serious Christians, who want to see a change in the church. In other words, ‘Is this what God had for us? With all the promises in the Bible and the depravity in the culture around us. Is He being glorified by what’s going on right now with Christianity in America?’”
The “Big D”: Discouragement
With such alarming statistics, we cannot ignore the effects of discouragement on pastors today. We are facing adversity, cultural unrest, and economic challenges. Discouragement is normal, but there is a way we can combat it. Cymbala says, “Every great man and woman who served God had periods of thinking ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ You have to, on a daily basis, fight through and get some time alone with the Lord.”
Pastors today need time alone with God where they can receive from the Lord. In that time, you are renewed daily by the Lord and get your encouragement for today. It’s not about the long haul but about what God has for you today.
Suffering: An Unexpected Friend
We are never promised that everything will be easy in life. John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” When things get hard, many of us want to give up. Jesus, however, told us we would have many trials and things would be hard. He didn’t stop there, though. He also promised that He has overcome it all!
So, if you’re suffering today, realize that suffering is your friend. Many of us believe that suffering is a sign that we’re outside God’s will. However, if we look at John 16:33, it’s actually a sign that we’re living in this world! Jesus doesn’t offer us a struggle-free life. He provides us with a victory that’s already been won!
Get Back to the Basics
The struggle for pastors and leaders today is that many have forgotten the basics. They’ve forgotten why they are doing what they are doing. In today’s culture, a pastor needs to be a good preacher, social media personality, marketing expert, and so many other things. It doesn’t have to be so complex. Perhaps we need to get back to the basics. Back to what it’s all about.
Cymbala says, “When you’re practicing foul shots. It doesn’t matter what sneakers you have on. You can have $500 vintage Air Jordans. It doesn’t matter. You can wear the headbands and wristbands. It doesn’t matter. It’s how you hold the ball. How you follow through. What you’re aiming at. If your elbow shoots out it doesn’t matter how sincere you are; you’re not going to make it. We have to get back to the basics.”
We Need the Holy Spirit
Without God, we can’t do anything. Unfortunately, so many of us try to solve things with our own strength. We attempt to gain the answers from the knowledge that we already have in our heads and hearts, but few of us take the time to consult the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. Cymbala said, “Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come and would replace Him. It seems like in the book of Acts; they were trying to find the will of God through the Spirit’s leading rather than trying to analyze it with our brain power.”
Today Is Everything
In Fan the Flame, Cymbala writes, “God gives us what we need for that day. Yesterday’s manna won’t get us through today. Today’s manna won’t get us through tomorrow.” What does that tell us? Today is everything. Many of us are wrapped up in anxiety, fear, worry, and stress that don’t belong in our today. The answer is in another day’s manna. What if leaders and pastors could live in this day-by-day concept more effectively? What would happen if we let go of tomorrow and settled into today?
Burnout is a word we hear often. People are tired. Exhausted. Feel like giving up. As pastors experiencing this same feeling, what do we do? If your discouragement or burnout today is based on yesterday or worries for tomorrow, spend time asking God to show you what grace He has for you today.
Redefine Success
What if we took away all expectations? What if we removed the need to pastor a large church? Would things change if you didn’t have to keep up with social media? Is your calling or leadership any different if today’s social pressures are erased? Cymbala has a great perspective on success based on the Word of God, “At the end of it all, the only measurement of success found in the Bible is to find the will of God and do it.”
What’s the will of God for you today? Focus on that and do it!
In Fan the Flame, Jim Cymbala gives us many things to really think about and consider. He helps provide a framework for many to remain in their calling and for others to find new strength in what they’ve been called to do. Today, the Lord wants to get away with you and speak to the broken places within you. He wants to give you fresh vision, understanding, and revelation of who He has called you to be. This isn’t just how the ministry has to be. There is a better, more fulfilling way. While fads, trends, and methods may come and go, one thing remains – the calling of God on your life.
