Getting really frustrated -- thinkign of giving up this ministry

[Equipped_4_Love]

So, I'm involved in this particular ministry (won't mention what it is), and have been for about 3 years now. I really enjoy it, but hate the fact that I can't talk to people at my church about it.

It's so frustrating, when I go to do an outreach or an event, and not being able to reach out to people and ask them for prayer, or to share the exciting things that the Lord does. I've tried, but a lot of the time, no one seems interested, and it's frustrating and breaks my heart, because that's my family -- I want to share with them, and have some people to rejoice with, but very few people seem to even care.

Then, it makes me feel like what I am doing is meaningless or inadequate. I attended a press conference today, and I have no one to share this with or to pray with me, or seek counsel about what happened. What am I to do? Now, I am sitting here completely depressed.

If God wants me in this ministry, why does it seem like I'm all alone? It's not like the church is going out and reaching these people for Christ, and they should be rejoicing with me that Christ is using people to reach them. I am all but ready to give up on this. It's like no one cares. How am I supposed to continue on in this without prayer or support from my family?! It's just SOOOO frustrating.

Please help with any insights!!!

[Twin2]

Have you invited others from your church family to join you with this ministry?

[Equipped_4_Love]

Hi, Twin;

Thanks so much for your response.

No, I have not invited anyone from my church to join me in this ministry, although I have told several of them about this ministry. The women were encouraging....talking to the pastors was quite discouraging.

The thing is, the pastors are SUPPOSED to be the LEADERS, and the mentors. I can ask people in my church for prayer, but I can't ask them for advice about ministry, because that's what the pastors are for --- yet, when I talked to a couple of them about it, they didn't have much to say.

Why won't the pastors offer their support to me? I just don't understand. It makes me want to give up tyhis ministry. I feel so all alone in it, and depressed.

[Stormfreak1]

It sounds like the Revelation 19:10/ 1 Corinthians 14:3 ministry...In the midst of a congregation of people who believe that 1 Corinthians 13:8 already occurred.

If that's what it is...here are some tips:

1. Character is much more important than gifting. God can increase that gifting/ministry to "scary awesome" levels VERY quickly and easily. Maturity in wisdom and humility takes years to build.

2. What you get is important...Who you got it from is infinitely important! Get identity in who you got it from (not what you got)

3. Scripture, scripture, scripture! Those who are best at this ministry know how to use the Word of God. (The church loves the Word of God right?!)

(Note: I found this stuff by doing it the wrong way first...)

[daughter]

Why can't you have prayer buddies on this forum that you can talk to? Without knowing much about it, I can't say why the pastors aren't interested. Perhaps their gifting simply isn't in the area God has called you to. Is it an area of female gifting, perhaps? After all, the women seem to have sounded interested... perhaps the men aren't called that way.

But the other thing that you have to bear in mind is that if God has called you to this, you should ask Him for a second witness to support you. He should raise one up for you.

[Firefighter]

I know what you are going through. I ended up leaving the denomination that I grew up in over my ministry. It took several years to finally understand that other people just don't have the same passion as I do. Oh, sure. It started off with a bang, but as soon as it started getting real and the newness wore off, people started dropping like flies. Several people would come for what my wife and I would refer to "field trips" just to see "those people" and then disappear. I don't think people having any interest at all was the worst part, the worst part is when it seemed people who were warming the pews were actively trying to interfere with my ministry. Some were people I had known my whole life.

While your pastor should be behind you, that does not mean that he is the only one you can or should talk to. I cannot tell you how many times I have called Vhayes or RabbiKnife and just simply cried or blew off steam. Ministry is tuff. It is even harder when it feels that you are going it alone. Find someone mature and firm in the Lord and talk to them. DO NOT keep it to yourself and isolate yourself, that is exactly what Satan wants.

If you do not mind me asking, what kind of ministry are you in?

I cannot volunteer Vhayes or RabbiKnife, but I can and will extend you an invitation to talk. If you need anything, including blowing off steam, you know where to find me. You will be in my prayers.

[JohnDB]

Hey, Pastors sometimes are the absolute worst places to go for any kind of support...most of the time they are wanting more support from you and don't want to extend any to you.

I found this out the hard way one too many times.

I went to my church's mission director. Supposed to be in charge of missions right? Well I was looking for some information on long term missions (something longer than a week or two) and how exactly to go about it...he tried every which a way to try to talk me out of going.,..said it was too tough for him when he went and suggested that I really give up this notion.

Sometimes missions, evangalism, and ministry can be the loneliest and toughest work around...

[karenoka27]

So, I'm involved in this particular ministry (won't mention what it is), and have been for about 3 years now. I really enjoy it, but hate the fact that I can't talk to people at my church about it.

It's so frustrating, when I go to do an outreach or an event, and not being able to reach out to people and ask them for prayer, or to share the exciting things that the Lord does. I've tried, but a lot of the time, no one seems interested, and it's frustrating and breaks my heart, because that's my family -- I want to share with them, and have some people to rejoice with, but very few people seem to even care.

Then, it makes me feel like what I am doing is meaningless or inadequate. I attended a press conference today, and I have no one to share this with or to pray with me, or seek counsel about what happened. What am I to do? Now, I am sitting here completely depressed.

If God wants me in this ministry, why does it seem like I'm all alone? It's not like the church is going out and reaching these people for Christ, and they should be rejoicing with me that Christ is using people to reach them. I am all but ready to give up on this. It's like no one cares. How am I supposed to continue on in this without prayer or support from my family?! It's just SOOOO frustrating.

Please help with any insights!!!

If you look back in the Old Testament, many of the people God used for His glory felt alone. Joseph, Moses, Jeremiah and more.

What you are doing is for God's glory and it is not going unnoticed.

Praying for a friend that you can trust and share and pray with to encourage you in all that you are doing.

[-SEEKING-]

I will surely pray for you. But I just don't understand why you have no support. I'm assuming that someone commissioned you or sent you to do this ministry. Can't that person be the go to person when you need info or advice? I recently got involved in the missions ministry in my church. I can't tell you what a blessing it is to have the access to the leaders and their full support. It makes all the difference in the world.

[Gregg]

So, I'm involved in this particular ministry (won't mention what it is), and have been for about 3 years now. I really enjoy it, but hate the fact that I can't talk to people at my church about it.

It's so frustrating, when I go to do an outreach or an event, and not being able to reach out to people and ask them for prayer, or to share the exciting things that the Lord does. I've tried, but a lot of the time, no one seems interested, and it's frustrating and breaks my heart, because that's my family -- I want to share with them, and have some people to rejoice with, but very few people seem to even care.

Then, it makes me feel like what I am doing is meaningless or inadequate. I attended a press conference today, and I have no one to share this with or to pray with me, or seek counsel about what happened. What am I to do? Now, I am sitting here completely depressed.

If God wants me in this ministry, why does it seem like I'm all alone? It's not like the church is going out and reaching these people for Christ, and they should be rejoicing with me that Christ is using people to reach them. I am all but ready to give up on this. It's like no one cares. How am I supposed to continue on in this without prayer or support from my family?! It's just SOOOO frustrating.

Please help with any insights!!!

Look at those God has used you to help. If you were not obedient where would they be?

God does not need us for anything. He blesses us with work so we can feel closer to him.

God bless you and yours.

[Desperaux]

It's like no one cares.

The Lord cares!

If you have asked Him to use your life for His glory and to give you an opportunity to reach out to others for Him, then He has answered you, and placed you there--why would you want to stop now?

The thing is, the pastors are SUPPOSED to be the LEADERS, and the mentors.

Who says? We who are Christ's are ALL called to lead and mentor others. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

[Firefighter]

There were many times I considered quitting. I just didn't want to face it anymore. I felt like I was polluting my soul by exposing myself to some of the things I had to face. I probably said "Forget it! I quit!" a hundred times or more. Sometimes the only reason I kept going was I KNEW that I would be more miserable if I quit doing what God had called me to do than if I kept on doing it.

If God has called you to do it. DO IT! When it is time to stop, He will let you know.

[Vhayes]

Welder, I'll certainly pray for you.
V

[Brother Mark]

One of the hardest things I ever realized... not everyone had my passion about my calling. At first, I couldn't understand why they didn't have this burning in their gut! It only dawned on me later that God hadn't called them to the same thing he called me to. They were burning in a different way but still burning.

I do believe Jesus gave an example of sending out at least 2 at a time. Perhaps God will send someone to work with you. Look around. They don't have to be from your church, they just have to be from your God.

Grace and peace,

Mark

[Equipped_4_Love]

Hey, Pastors sometimes are the absolute worst places to go for any kind of support...most of the time they are wanting more support from you and don't want to extend any to you.

I found this out the hard way one too many times.

I went to my church's mission director. Supposed to be in charge of missions right? Well I was looking for some information on long term missions (something longer than a week or two) and how exactly to go about it...he tried every which a way to try to talk me out of going.,..said it was too tough for him when he went and suggested that I really give up this notion.

Sometimes missions, evangalism, and ministry can be the loneliest and toughest work around...

That is just awful -- seriously!! Why on earth do they do that?!

I've felt the sting of discouraging words, as well. God always gets me through it, and gives me strength to perservere, but even so, it would be nice to get some advice or encouragement every once in a while.

I just don't get it -- WHY?!! Why do they try to discourage like that? Is it a pride thing?