In the words of the A/C Company (Natural Air) owner, “There is a black cloud hanging over that church.” The idea that dark forces fight against Christians is nothing new. Throughout Scripture, the Word repeatedly shares that there is a breakdown before every breakthrough. In the breakdowns of life or, in our case, ministry, the metal of someone is made and forged by the fire of troubles. One must ask: Do you deviate from a plan because of the pain, or do you continue to stretch forward to the promise God has laid out? Our community has shown time and again that we choose to stretch forward, empowered by our faith and resilience.
Sunday before service, I discovered that the Phase 2 compassionate ministry center that hosts a service and feeds those struggling with food insecurity had plumbing issues. It’s not something I wanted to think about before entering the pulpit, but that is ministry. I contacted our plumbing company between Sunday school and church, and they were here by 9:00 a.m. the following day. I was thankful they were able to get the bathrooms working again. I said to myself, “Not bad for a Monday.” During the same hour, an electrician started working on new gym outlets for our future community center. Then another problem appeared. Above the women’s main bathroom in the church lobby is an A/C with its fan stuck open, blowing in hot air, which turned to moist air when hit with our cool air from the other systems and caused at least a dozen tiles to be stained. Fortunately, the company was able to close the fan, and it’s drying out until next week when they ensure the system is up and running again. Okay, not bad to close out a Monday.
Well, hello, Tuesday! Our water meter cracked, spewing water at the edge of our church property, and a plumber was called to dig up the ground to fix the pipe. Why did it leak? A rock? A vibration of the water running through the pipe because something pushed the meter into the ground? Who knows? But there was no water for two hours, affecting the preschool that rented a portion of our building. However, in the midst of disappointment, hope came in the compassionate ministry program that had their bathrooms fixed the day before. They still had water! Within minutes, we filled the water containers for the preschool to use for the interim. Now, we were moving in the right direction. I thought I could work on my sermon for the following Sunday.
Well, not so fast. The preschool said the A/C was not working. It seemed to be, but I needed a trained eye. I realize now that the HVAC course the local community college provided should have been a course to take. Lesson learned. But I digress. Upstairs, it was 88 degrees, and the system inside and outside was not working. So, another call to the A/C company, and surprise! Two systems down.
Let me pause and share that there are nine A/C units in that building. Two of the three systems that run the left side of the building were down. One was to be replaced two days after this issue, and another needs a condenser. You are probably wondering, what about the 88-degree upstairs unit? At last, it has reached its age limit and has entered A/C heaven. The A/C company is getting the church a quote to replace it. In the meantime, one unit will cool the hot area, and the company is working on getting a part for the second unit. They might put in the third unit a day earlier as it’s in the shop.
So, on a Tuesday afternoon, as I share this, now you know why someone would say, “There is a black cloud hanging over that church.” However, I share this tongue-in-cheek with you to remind you that God is in the blessing business. Isaiah 54:17 says, “‘No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the LORD.”
Think about it this way: No amount of evil will destroy the mightiness of our God. We serve the risen Savior! Whatever you face as a pastor or ministry leader, you do not face it alone. My circumstance is not unique. Average-sized churches (those with less than 99 people each Sunday) are not alone. It is what leaders face weekly.
Hear my heart; your challenges strengthen you by forcing your abilities and gifts out. Surrender yourself and the church to God. God has not forsaken your local church and ministry. He has given you the tools to “get it done” in a season of distraction from real ministry. Ministry is not about preaching or rehashing a sermon; it is about serving, even as a facilities director at times. Ministry is about giving all you have to the one who gave all he had to save your life.
In weeks when things don’t go as planned, do not give up or get discouraged. Instead, be encouraged that you have a fantastic opportunity to serve others and the Lord.