Episode 30 - Why Both Your Strengths AND Your Weaknesses Make Your Ministry

In this episode we explore the whole issue of strengths and weaknesses, with just a smattering of humor, of course. We have a feeling that too many of us 200church pastors feel badly about our weaknesses, and spend too much time worrying about them. 

Too many pastors are beaten down by mostly honest and innocent church members who constantly try to “help” their pastor by reminding him or her to get better in their weakest areas. In reality, our weak areas will always be weaker. We cannot be great at everything. And in some areas we will just never be that good. Honestly, you didn't really think you’d be good at everything, did you?

Focusing on our weaknesses and trying to make them stronger will only frustrate and discourage us, and others. We can simply acknowledge our weaknesses, allow for them, involve others in our lives who are strong in those areas, and move on!

In fact, pastors can be just as hampered in their ministry by their strengths, maybe even more hampered! By viewing their strengths as “free money” pastors can hurt themselves by 1) reducing preparation time because they  over-rely on their gift, or 2) becoming prideful in their good work, and 3) not including others in the ministry because they themselves do the job just fine.

Below are eighteen reasons (aren't you glad this isn't a sermon?!) why you should view both your strengths AND your weaknesses as equally valuable, because they reflect who God made you to be as a pastor, shepherd, leader, and servant.

First, your weaknesses:

1. Your weaknesses are given to you by God, they’re not an accident, random, or by chance 
   
2. Your weaknesses teach you humility
   
3. Your weaknesses make you human
   
4. Your weaknesses cause you to include others
   
5. Your weaknesses push you to depend on God
   
6. Your weaknesses nurture your soul toward mercy, and not judgment
   
7. Your weaknesses produce your most passionate ministries
   
8. Your weaknesses guarantee the above five results are continuous
   
9. Your weaknesses make your ministry 
   

Second, your strengths:

1. Your strengths are given to you by God, they’re not an accident, random, or by chance
   
2. Your strengths allow you to serve with excellence
   
3. Your strengths give you confidence to take risks and try new things
   
4. Your strengths let you serve without thinking or trying too hard
   
5. Your strengths inspire others to follow you
   
6. Your strengths keep you in the game
   
7. Your strengths need to be strengthened
   
8. Your strengths guarantee you get results
   
9. Your strengths make your ministry

We hope you are encouraged and challenged by this podcast. Remember, your pastoral leadership is a huge deal in the Kingdom of God!