Practical Pastoring - Failure, Part Three

I would rather write about prospering and being in health. However, in your ministry to others, you will get more mileage from the topic of failure. You will either become bitter or be better as you experience failure in the many areas of life.

At first glace, the topic of failure seems opposite the themes we hear many preaching as they talk about victory, overcoming, and conquering. Our victory is in Jesus. We fail to learn we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Nothing of eternal value comes out of our own strength.

In my flesh dwells no good thing. The gospel offends; that statement offends. It offends my flesh. In my spirit, however, I rejoice as I learn that I cannot live the Christian life out of my own strength. In order to be true spiritual Christians, we have to learn how to be led by the Spirit. The process takes a lifetime. Begin today to be led by the Spirit; otherwise we will continue to struggle and fail to mature in our walk with Jesus.

I believe that I am blessed and highly favored. I believe the seeds I have sown will be fruitful and multiply. I believe I will be rewarded for the things I have done under the unction of the Holy Spirit. I believe God will give me the desires of my heart as I delight myself in Him. I believe God has a plan for me and my wife, my family, my extended family, my church family, and my friends and relatives. I believe God has multiple blessings stored up for me. I believe the best is yet to come.

Furthermore, I believe that in order to arrive at the place God has for me I will experience failure in many areas. God will receive the glory, and my flesh shall be reckoned dead.

As I write my sixth book today, my first book has doubled in sales. I checked several days ago and then checked the sales yesterday. I had sold two books and now have sold four. I smile while I type this because I am writing these books in obedience to the Holy Spirit. The two people I had in mind when writing these books bought the book before I could give it away free through my publishing deal.

In the natural world I did not write my books to become famous or wealthy. Promotion comes from the Lord. The reward is for faithfulness. God pays for what He ordains.

I had set aside most of the money needed to pay my publisher and editor prior to beginning the writing process. Along the way my costs increased because I published the books in both electronic and print versions. When you obey God you may find expenses are more than you anticipate. Whatever project He leads you to undertake may take longer than you had imagined.

Do not grow weary in well doing. Do not become discouraged. Encourage yourself in the Lord. Trust that the step of life you are currently on is not the last step before He calls you home.

As Pastor Dan wrote, it is so true we can only be faithful by the grace of God. In my second book, I wrote about preparing to preach. I had to fail in preaching before learning how to be dependent on the Holy Spirit. We sometimes have to fail in parenting and fail at being a quality spouse. Additionally we often fail at being thankful employees, and good friends. Expect failure in whatever area God is working on in your heart. Pray that He will extinguish the resistance of flesh and the personal agendas that cloud our lives. Learn to truly embrace a life of living for Him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

While learning how to live through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will make messes and struggle through issues. Our flesh is learning that we have a new Master; His name is Jesus. The battle must be won in the heart attitude before it can be won in the area we are working on through the grace of God.

Kevin Barsotti

Ark Church

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This article is part of “Practical Pastoring: Mentoring Growth Letters from a Senior Pastor to a New Pastor, Book Four.” The author responds to his pastor’s letters from 20 years ago when he began his pastoral journey.