The Church’s mission is straightforward: Make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey Jesus (Matthew 28:19–20).

Why, then, does ministry often seem so complicated? Amid strategies, programs, schedules, and church management, ministers can quickly lose sight of the main objective. And if we’re not careful, anxiety, competitiveness, anger, stress, and exhaustion can creep in.

A lack of proper perspective is often the culprit. When our ministry world becomes our only world, it’s a problem. Following are three ways for church leaders to maintain a healthy perspective.

Awareness

Jesus said He will build His church and the gates of hell will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18). This is an encouraging truth we must always keep in view.

The kingdom of God is not dependent on any one person or ministry. The Lord has used — and is using — all kinds of people, callings, churches, leaders, ministries, events, and retreats to build His church.

While each of us has a specific calling and role to play, we must remember we are still one part of the larger body of Christ. And it is ultimately Jesus who is building the Church, not us.

This is liberating and perspective broadening. I’ve found that a growing awareness of this basic truth leads to greater humility, longevity, open-handedness, and enjoyment in ministry.

Feedback

Healthy perspectives in ministry are also built when seeking feedback internally, locally, and nationally/globally.

Insulating ourselves within a church department is unhelpful. We need to become intentional about seeking the feedback of other leaders in the church. Youth pastors should reach out to worship leaders for feedback. Senior pastors should seek opinions from their children’s pastors.

When our ministry world becomes our only world, it’s a problem.

Requesting feedback from local pastors and others outside the congregation is also a good practice. This is an opportunity to build relationships and gain valuable insights.

Additionally, there are Christian leaders in other parts of the nation and world who can help us develop healthy perspectives in ministry. These people may not even know our ministries exist until we tell them, but that can actually be a benefit.

Perhaps there is a missionary, pastor, or church leader who can speak into your ministry situation. Don’t be afraid to seek input from other ministers, even those you might have previously considered unapproachable. Their feedback might just widen your perspective and open your eyes to new possibilities.

Locations

We need to pay careful attention to the spaces we occupy physically, mentally and emotionally.

It’s amazing how physical locations can affect perspectives. Sitting in the same room every day can limit our ability to think broadly and creatively.

Try changing up your work environment. Go to a different office space, or sit in the sanctuary while preparing your next sermon. Work near different people. Encourage collaboration to facilitate partnerships across departments.

Work outside the church building at times as well. Take a laptop to a restaurant, coffee shop, mall, park, library, or other place where there are people from outside the church world.

Changing physical surroundings can serve as a reminder that our specific ministry world isn’t the only world.

It’s also important to expand the spaces in which we dwell mentally. Read broadly. Learn from diverse ministry leaders through books, podcasts, and online teachings.

We should never become so focused on our own ministries that we no longer have time to learn from others. In fact, closing ourselves to what others are contributing to the body of Christ severely limits what we can contribute.

Finally, we need to make investments in our emotional health. This means regularly disconnecting from ministry to relax, rejuvenate, have fun, and spend time with friends and family.

Take vacations. Go on sabbaticals, if possible. Find a hobby.

Intentionally taking time away from ministry will keep your perspective wide and healthy so you can minister more effectively.

As essential as focus can be in ministry, we also need to maintain a proper Kingdom perspective. This is what makes it possible to pursue our ministry callings with red-hot passion without being burned up along the way.

A healthy perspective may not come naturally, but it’s worth fighting for. Thankfully, we don’t have to depend on our own strength in this pursuit. Remember Jesus’ promise in Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”