I was at the title company with my board members, ready to sign paperwork on our new church facility. After six years of moving between temporary sites, we were buying a seven-acre campus and building with a stunning interior.

Members had already gathered at our mobile location to celebrate with pizza. Afterward, we were planning to worship together while walking to our new campus.

Earlier that day, another congregation had signed a lease on the space we were vacating. Everything seemed to be falling into place.

However, our jubilant mood changed when the title agent entered the room and explained that an IRS tax lien on the property prevented its sale. Just like that, our church had no new location — and no old one.

Driving to the pizza party to deliver this news in person felt like the longest 15 minutes of my life.

I clung to the apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:8–9: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Little did I know my pastoral resilience was about to be tested and stretched like never before. Over the next four years, our church met in nearly a dozen different locations, some of them more than 10 miles apart. We adopted the tongue-in-cheek motto, “Come if you can find us.”

Heart Attitude

Throughout this time, I had to guard my heart against unhealthy attitudes.

In Learned Optimism, author Martin E.P. Seligman describes the three P’s that undermine resilience: personalization, pervasiveness, and permanence.

Personalization threatened to make the situation all about me, as if I should have seen it coming. I had to release my feelings of guilt, accept that sometimes bad things happen, and keep trusting the Lord. This shifted the focus from myself to God.

I also had to guard against letting the crisis dominate my thoughts to the point of pervasiveness. Dwelling on the loss was counterproductive. Breaking the cycle of negative thinking and engaging with supportive, encouraging family and friends was the most beneficial starting point.

Philippians 4:6–7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Finally, I had to counteract permanence, the feeling that the current situation will never change. A sense of permanence leads to discouragement and depression.

Paul told the Corinthians to keep their eyes on Jesus amid their “light and momentary troubles” (2 Corinthians 4:17–18). Similarly, I reminded myself and others that problems are temporary, but our hope in Christ is eternal.

Healthy Habits

I’m not alone in my pastoral struggles. One-third of U.S. Protestant senior pastors contemplated quitting during 2023, according to Barna Group.

Ministry isn’t easy, but it is worthwhile. That’s why resilience is crucial. The following five habits have helped me stay the course through trying times.

1. Maintain spiritual disciplines. Psalm 1 likens the person who delights in God’s Word to “a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither” (verse 3). That’s a picture of resilience.

Prayer, fasting, worship, and Bible study are powerful insulators against discouragement.

Even when ministry demands felt overwhelming, I was careful not to let these spiritual disciplines slide. They were a lifeline for me, just as they have been for other believers through the ages.

Some well-meaning ministry colleagues advised me to quit, echoing my doubts about whether
anything good could come from such a chaotic journey.

2. Rely on support systems. As Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 says, “Two are better than one. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Such helpers may include family members, friends, mentors, and fellow pastors.

Effective support systems provide emotional and practical assistance, encouragement, and accountability.

Although some people genuinely lightened my load and strengthened my faith, others were reminiscent of Job’s unhelpful friends. I relied on the helpers, while taking the latter group’s advice with a grain of salt.

3. Pursue professional development. Personal growth often precedes a shift in circumstances. Continuing education, workshops, and conferences provide opportunities for learning.

Working toward an advanced ministry degree gave me new perspective, fresh insights, and a needed diversion. I felt a sense of progress, even when the church’s situation remained unchanged.

4. Practice self-care. This includes physical exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and leisure time. It can also include counseling.

Jesus taught His disciples not to neglect their needs amid the busyness of ministry (Mark 6:31).

During a monthlong sabbatical, I discovered the value of slowing down and taking inventory of my physical, emotional, and spiritual condition.

While such an extended break isn’t always possible, even a day away from the office pursuing a hobby helps build resilience.

5. Establish boundaries. To ensure time for rest and relationships, pastors must define their work hours and personal time.

During our church’s mobile years, I felt compelled to address every need that came to my attention, even when it meant working into the evening and never taking a day off.

As I reached the point of exhaustion, I realized the problem wasn’t people’s expectations but my lack of boundaries. To maintain my well-being, I had to establish — and maintain — some clear limits, including time off.

Persevering Faith

The year following the failed property purchase was discouraging. Some well-meaning ministry colleagues advised me to quit, echoing my doubts about whether anything good could come from such a chaotic journey.

Nevertheless, on a cold, rainy Sunday in late September, I learned a great lesson in resilience. We were setting up for a worship service in an elementary school cafeteria, one of several places our congregation met.

I told our seating crew to plan for 40 attendees, thinking we probably wouldn’t have more than 20. After the worship team completed its sound check, we all went to the gym to pray. I confessed my discouragement, and volunteers prayed for me and the service.

When we returned to the cafeteria, fewer than 20 people were present, confirming my fears. We started the service with prayer and asked the congregation to spend five minutes greeting one another while we addressed a sound issue.

Suddenly, another setup crew member ran to me, breathless, saying, “Pastor, we need more chairs!”

I looked up to see a large crowd entering the room. As it turned out, we had more attendees that day than on Easter and Mother’s Day combined.

Excusing myself for a moment of personal prayer, I repented for my unbelief. Then I returned to a memorable service.

That day, I realized trust and resilience are closely linked. Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

During late 2019, after years of moving from place to place, our congregation purchased a building and finally enjoyed the blessing of a permanent location.

Facing a pandemic the following year, we remembered the lessons we’d learned and kept our eyes on God rather than circumstances. Resilience had become a way of life for us.

Resilience is essential for ministry. By avoiding defeatist attitudes and embracing healthy practices, pastors can navigate challenges with strength and vitality — and lead their congregations to do the same.

This article appears in the Fall 2024 issue of Influence magazine.