Audacious Faith, Inspired! 
No Comments Hard or Harder?
I’ve thought, I’ve read and I’ve heard building a ministry is the most difficult proposition in the world. There are countless books, blogs and publications written on launching ministries and planting churches. The “How To” resources seem almost limitless.
Based on my experience thus far, everyone and everything that says it is difficult… maybe understated. As a certified serial entrepreneur, with the experience of success and failure under belt, building a ministry is the most difficult endeavor I have taken on. But, not for the reason you might expect.
As an entrepreneur the tasks are very focused on one’s ability, one’s determination (relentlessness) and one’s work ethic. The ability to identify demand, develop a product or service that meets the demand, market, sell and service is usually summarized in an executive summary and exhaustively detailed in an accompanying business plan. It’s up to the entrepreneur to properly resource the initiative… finance, personnel, tools and equipment, inventory… and execute a strategy from zero. Done correctly, a business succeeds by generating profit and providing a return on investment. On paper it looks relatively simple, but with scars as proof, it is an audacious task.
How can building a ministry be hard-er?
Building a ministry requires you to commit to all the aforementioned entrepreneurially attributable tasks, let go and depend on God. And, that is why, whilst building a ministry is the hardest thing you will ever do, it is also the easiest. Ego and drive, cornerstone attributes of successful entrepreneurs, must be restrained allowing for heavy doses of release and surrender.
When we turn our eyes to God, invest in the His Word and act obediently, we have the promise of His burden being light. In Matthew 11:30 we learn, “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (NKJV)
Looking to God’s measures instead of the world confirms the journey. Depending on the Lord gives us the opportunity to celebrate small, important wins on our way to His bigger vision for what is being established. When we quit worrying about relevance… pews, music, a new member program, etc… and we focus on serving those in need, the heaviness of checklist tasks is removed. The burden of financial resource is made almost irrelevant. He provides. His Word instructs us in the way.
The hard part is being obedient and submitted. The harder part is avoiding the measures the world places on the ministry to value its place… its success. Realizing you will not build the ministry but He will means parking ego and control at the door; this is the hardest part for a success driven entrepreneur!
Why do it?
If we can honor our Creator by doing exactly what He designed and planned for us to do, there is an incredible promise. Most rewarding, the Promise is not just for us but also for those we impact along the way! An awesome, inexplicable eternity is the reward. It is all done and rewarded by His grace and in His name!
Be Audacious!