GroshLink

A friend recently passed along an insightful excerpt "Avoiding the Tentmaker Trap" by Dan Gibson. I encourage you to take some time to prayerfully consider your definition of success, ministry, and success in ministry (in your own life and/or the life of those you whom you support). 

    "It is essential [to] try to get God's perspective on success in ministry. ...I have come to realize that success is never measured in converts won, churches planted, or years of service.  One's constant walk with God is the measure of success.
    "One struggle many tentmakers face is that of burnout.  Many of us try to do too many things at once. We are torn between the demands of our profession, our family and our ministry. Because of society's emphasis on success, we begin putting in longer and longer hours, rushing between commitments and pressures. ...The best advice is simply this: learn to walk quietly with God. I have discovered that God never overloads our schedule.  It is usually we who fill our lives with the pressure of frenzied activites.  Success in ministry is tied to successful spiritual activities and success in family is tied to successful family activities.  
    "An important part of dealing with burnout is dealing with our definition of success.  If we equate success in ministry with having quality time with God, going where He leads, learning what He teaches, and doing what He directs us to do, then we can relax.  God is managing our ministry.  Once we become comfortable with who God is, who we are, and what our relationship with Him is, we can approach ministry (and life) from a calm and relaxed point of view.  The greatest way to avoid burnout is to learn to relax in Jesus, finding our fulfilment in Him and His Word." -- Underline added for emphasis. Chapter 11, pp. 84-85.

Some reflection with regard to our work (which is not "tentmaking"), I rejoice in God walking (and at times carrying) our family in daily life/ministry, many times through the Body of Christ. Thank-you to the many who "stick with us" in the work to which we've been called, a significant piece of which we consider encouraging/equipping vocational tentmaking missionaries (higher education, health care) for service across the world (some will work here and engage in annual short-term mission projects OR even use their time in the US to prepare for a life of mission. Most international scholars go right back home to labor!). Pray for blessing upon students (such as the one he emailed me this quote and I connect with daily through the Emerging Scholars Network), young health care professionals (touched by the Christian Medical Society/CMDA at PSU-Hershey Medical Center), and young professors (the Emerging Scholars Network serves a number) as they discern their course of life by the decision they make today, tomorrow, and in the coming weeks.