The Ministerial Director > Getting Started > Grieve What You Are Losing and Embrace What You Are Gaining

Specifically, what is described here is the change in your study life that you will experience, especially if you are coming from the pastorate.

Your study life will be much different. Your time in the Word will change because you are not preparing for preaching in the same way you did before. In fact, you won’t have time to study in that same way and do justice to your work as an Ministerial Director.

You will need to spend time reading books on leadership, pastoral stress issues, the pastors personal spiritual life, how to meet antagonists in the church, and a plethora of other topics for which you will need to develop some new areas of expertise. That also takes time and study, and while you no doubt have some skills in some of these areas (your selection as Ministerial Director is a nod to you in this regard), you will not be able to coast on the skills with which you entered this work for very long. You need to become very familiar with areas that allow you to be a resource to your pastors. They will tire of hearing “well, when I was a pastor this is how I did it.” They need to hear some current, real-life, worthwhile content from you when they come to you for counsel and support.

It's still very much pastoral ministry, this thing you have gotten yourself into. But pastoring pastors requires a broadening of your skills. That takes time, prayer, study, and lots of thought just to equip yourself.

The loss of the deep connection to Scripture that comes from the intensive study that a regular preaching schedule requires is a serious point of grieving for many who transition from field pastor to pastor's pastor. You’ll just have to find a new rhythm of study and prayer that meets your soul’s need. Don’t neglect this or you’ll find yourself spiritually dry and brittle. Make sure you feed your own soul. Reading a book such as Ruth Haley Barton’s fine book “Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership” is a good place to start.

Finally, allow yourself to realize that all the new stuff you are needing to read is appropriate for the kind of ministry you are in now. Allow it to nourish you as well. The Lord will use these well-chosen books on leadership, pastoral development, pastoral stressors, etc, to make you a true blessing to your new congregants. So you aren’t losing everything!

So, allow yourself to grieve. But then allow yourself to celebrate what God has opened for you to learn. Allow for this time period in your life to be seen as a convergence of all God has been doing in your life to shape you for this moment. If you are where you are supposed to be, you will find new and tremendous fulfillment in the work you are just now beginning.