A hidden arrow, such as a sense of accomplishment, frequently hurts some pastors. While some ministers aren't afraid of enemies' criticism and persecution, they might still feel discouraged or doubt the significance of their ministry due to a lack of a sense of achievement.
T, a pastor serving in China’s central plains area, pointed out, "Looking externally, a sense of accomplishment is mostly not beneficial for pastors, as pastors shouldn't evaluate their ministries based on this feeling."
He acknowledged that feelings of loss could even affect his own enthusiasm for service. He said, "Indeed, when I focus on studying God's word and immerse myself in it, my inner self is peaceful, clean, and satisfied. I feel great when preparing a sermon and sense the guidance of the Holy Spirit while preaching. Believers' life growth also brings a sense of accomplishment."
"But at other times, I get disturbed. For example, after long hours of reading without much insight, I feel like I've wasted time and energy. Despite investing effort in varied church matters and caring for believers' basic needs, I doubt the meaningfulness of my actions when it seems hard to witness their growth. I also face struggles and conflicts in relationships, especially when a way out isn't visible for an extended period, resulting in doubts about the environment," T shared.
T believed these thoughts were normal for pastors but emphasized that what they saw was superficial. He compared it to corporate work, where efforts usually yield income, unlike in pastoral or ministerial roles, where a sense of accomplishment in completing major projects is rare and the salary is low. "Pastors often deal with the relationship between people and God, a problem not instantly solvable. Inner change and growth are not instantly discernible," he added.
He also illustrated the example of the prophet Jeremiah, who had a low sense of accomplishment. Jeremiah persistently attempted to persuade the Israelites to accept God's message, but they rejected him. Despite being the "weeping prophet" and persistently urging repentance, he found the people remained unrepentant and even despised and imprisoned him. Yet, he faithfully preached the Lord's words and interceded with a heart full of sorrow and repentance for the people.
Finally, T emphasized, "What pastors can do is to be faithful to the Lord and focus on loving Him. Through their faithfulness, God accomplishes His own will."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
有些牧者常常被一种“暗箭”伤害，这种暗箭叫做“成就感”。有些传道人不害怕仇敌的诋毁和逼迫，却很可能因为事奉没有成就感而变得意志消沉或者怀疑自己事奉的意义。
一位在中原地区服事的T牧师指出，“如果看外在，牧者大多数时候成就感是不好的，但牧者不应该以成就感来评价自己的事奉。”
T牧师坦诚自己服事的热情也会受成就感的影响。他表示：“的确，当我专心研读上帝的话并且沉浸其中的时候，我的内心是宁静、清洁、满足的。我预备讲章，在讲台上宣讲话语感受到圣灵的带领时，我的状态很好。每当有信徒见证自己生命的成长，也会很有成就感。”
“但是在其余的时间，我也会被搅扰。比如读了很长时间的书，并没有太多的领受，会觉得自己浪费了时间和精力。处理教会中很多的事务，花了很多精力去关心信徒的衣、食、住、行、工作、家庭，却好像看不到信徒的成长，会怀疑自己所做事情的意义。再比如我也会陷入到人际关系的挣扎和矛盾中，尤其是长期看不见出路，怀疑所处的环境。" T牧师说。
T牧师认为牧者在事奉中出现这些想法都很正常，但一定要认识到我们所看到的结果只是一个表象。T牧师拿职场工作对比，在职场投入的时间和努力至少会得到相应的收入，但作为牧者或作为传道人，除了收入微薄之外，很少有在职场上完成一个大项目的成就感。“因为牧者常常要解决的是人跟上帝的关系问题，而这个问题的解决不是一蹴而就的。一个人内心的改变和成长，也不是我们一眼就能够判断出来的。”
T牧师又以耶利米先知为例说，先知耶利米事奉的成就感是很低的，因为他一直向以色列百姓传递上帝的国，但是以色列一直拒绝他的事奉，直到被掳。尽管这位“流泪的先知”，不厌其烦地责备百姓，劝他们回转，但是百姓没有悔改，甚至厌弃和囚禁他，他依然忠心地宣讲主的话，并带着忧伤痛悔的心为百姓代求。
T牧师最后还强调一件事，“牧者所能做的就是对主忠心，就是专心爱主。我们忠心，上帝亲自成就祂自己的旨意。”
牧者：当服事没有成就感时，一定要将目光转向主
A hidden arrow, such as a sense of accomplishment, frequently hurts some pastors. While some ministers aren't afraid of enemies' criticism and persecution, they might still feel discouraged or doubt the significance of their ministry due to a lack of a sense of achievement.
T, a pastor serving in China’s central plains area, pointed out, "Looking externally, a sense of accomplishment is mostly not beneficial for pastors, as pastors shouldn't evaluate their ministries based on this feeling."
He acknowledged that feelings of loss could even affect his own enthusiasm for service. He said, "Indeed, when I focus on studying God's word and immerse myself in it, my inner self is peaceful, clean, and satisfied. I feel great when preparing a sermon and sense the guidance of the Holy Spirit while preaching. Believers' life growth also brings a sense of accomplishment."
"But at other times, I get disturbed. For example, after long hours of reading without much insight, I feel like I've wasted time and energy. Despite investing effort in varied church matters and caring for believers' basic needs, I doubt the meaningfulness of my actions when it seems hard to witness their growth. I also face struggles and conflicts in relationships, especially when a way out isn't visible for an extended period, resulting in doubts about the environment," T shared.
T believed these thoughts were normal for pastors but emphasized that what they saw was superficial. He compared it to corporate work, where efforts usually yield income, unlike in pastoral or ministerial roles, where a sense of accomplishment in completing major projects is rare and the salary is low. "Pastors often deal with the relationship between people and God, a problem not instantly solvable. Inner change and growth are not instantly discernible," he added.
He also illustrated the example of the prophet Jeremiah, who had a low sense of accomplishment. Jeremiah persistently attempted to persuade the Israelites to accept God's message, but they rejected him. Despite being the "weeping prophet" and persistently urging repentance, he found the people remained unrepentant and even despised and imprisoned him. Yet, he faithfully preached the Lord's words and interceded with a heart full of sorrow and repentance for the people.
Finally, T emphasized, "What pastors can do is to be faithful to the Lord and focus on loving Him. Through their faithfulness, God accomplishes His own will."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Pastors, Stay Focused on God While You Feel Unaccomplished
