the silent killer of ministry joy

We’ve all been there - wishing we were as gifted or influential as another leader down the street or across town. Or maybe you’ve wondered why some opportunities have been given to others and have passed you by. If you relate (or if you’re lying), read on…

In Today’s Email

1. Go and Lead in Peace

2. Develop Your 2025 Ministry Strategy

3. Piper on Making Much of God

Go and Lead in Peace

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” - Theodore Roosevelt

Comparison is the thief of ministry joy. Comparison calls into question our gifting. Comparison calls into question God’s calling. Comparison questions God’s wisdom, goodness, and love.

Yet, so often we find ourselves dining with Mr. Comparison.

After an evening with Mr. Comparison…

Some of us may feel as though he holds the keys to our freedom. If only we could find our edge, our “x” factor that levels the playing field.

Some of us can convince ourselves that we either really do belong or, even better for us, that we are “better” than those we fear are “better” than us.

Some of us walk away convinced that there is something deeply missing inside of us and that the best way to relieve that tension is to remove ourselves from the source of tension entirely.

And some of us drink the cup of jealousy or envy thinking there is justice in our simmering resentment.

But, remember, this Comparison fellow is after all a thief. Thieves are masters of sleight of hand, masters of distraction. And while we were so busy entertaining his company, we failed to see what has been taken from us.

While we’ve been entertaining the solutions of the cynic, he’s been slowly extracting our joy, our sense of identity, and our awareness of God.

Comparison and Our Joy

When we compare ourselves to others, the joy we experience in ministry is severely limited.

Why?

In a state of comparison, the only thing that can bring us joy is something that affirms our gifting. The only thing that can bring us joy is: applause. 

Our joy becomes disconnected from serving God and becomes attached to the affirmation of others.

Comparison and Our Sense of Identity

When we compare ourselves to others, we uproot our identities from the good soil of the finished work of Christ and replant them in the hard ground of the approval of others.

In a state of comparison, our identities become transient and our reputations hang on the opinions of others. We become the sum of our last worship set. 

Comparison and Our Awareness of God

When we compare ourselves to others, we leave God out of the equation. We measure ministry with our own metrics.

We tend to forget our own journeys and how God has led us to the very places we are in with the very gifts He, in His wisdom, decided to give us.

In a state of comparison, we are governed by discontentment and not gratitude.

Go and Lead In Peace

Here is the truth, O worship leader:

God knew you when He formed you in your mother’s womb.

He has been with you and walked alongside you at each juncture.

He is 100% aware of the gifts He has given you AND the place He has called you to use them.

He wants your heart more than anything else you could offer Him.

Any fruit that comes from your ministry is a product of the Holy Spirit.

Your enemy would love nothing more than for you to spend your days of ministry looking at others instead of looking at the Lord.

If you struggle with comparison, consider this as His invitation to you to go and lead in peace. Go and lead in joy. The God of Heaven and Earth has given you an assignment. WHAT?!

May we never lose the wonder.

Develop Your 2025 Ministry Strategy

Want to kick off 2025 strong, with a clear plan and path forward? Join us live, as we go through a planning and strategizing exercise together. We'll determine your key actions, priorities and strategies, and you'll actually go through this process live on the call. When we're finished, you'll have your very own personalized Ministry Strategy Roadmap for 2025! Bring a notebook and pen! Looking forward to going through this with you.

Gaining some clarity and vision for your ministry can reignite your passion for what you do. This one-hour webinar will get you out of reaction mode and help you define, and refine, your 2025 ministry vision. As well as give you the practical steps to reach it. Alex and I will host a Q+A at the end to help you troubleshoot the challenges you have in front of you.

Gift yourself one hour and watch your ministry grow. Afterwards, if you’re interested in the Academy, you’ll get 25 free trial days using this link!

I can’t recommend this enough. Hope to see you there.

Thursday, February 20, 2025

12:00pm EST

You can register for the webinar here.

Piper on Making Much of God

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