In a recent post at his own blog, pastor Ronnie Floyd writes: “When my perspective is clear, I see things in a much better way. I want to share three perspectives that I believe have helped me greatly in staying here for 27 years.
“Perspective #1: I do not let people out of my circle of love.
In 1987, a very wise man named Ron Lewis challenged me in this area of life and ministry. I remember being at a Bonanza Restaurant when he looked at me and said, ‘Ronnie, never let anyone out of your circle of love.’ All these years later, I practice this continually.
“Yes, church members and staff members have been disloyal and hurt me deeply and personally, but I determine never to let anyone outside of my circle of love, and I don’t! I refuse to do so.
“You see, Pastor, if you will keep your heart open and not closed, sensitive and not hardened, some of those people may come right back around into your church again. Determine, ‘I will not let anyone outside of my circle of love.’
“Perspective #2: I am a great forgiver and forgetter.
“Pastor, never forget this: Hurt people hurt people!
“Sometimes you will become the brunt of other people’s stuff. You must be a great forgiver and forgetter! I used to get sidelined and even paralyzed by the criticism of others. At times, it has almost put me to bed!
“But it comes back to my daily time with God. In prayer, it is easy to forgive and even to forget. It wrecks me when someone dislikes me or writes about me being something I know I am not.
“However, the route to wholeness and healing is forgiveness toward all people and forgetting about it, always driving forward. Let it go, Pastor! If you hold that hurt, it will fold you and your ministry.
“Perspective #3: I realize ministry has seasons.
“I cannot tell you how many times I have come to what I imagined as a wall in our ministry.
“I did not think there was anything left to do or another mountain to climb. Through the years, I have learned so many valuable lessons, way too many to post in one blog. Yet, one of the most valuable lessons has been that ministry has seasons.
“Pastor, there are seasons we plant and sow; there are seasons that are bare and dry. Hallelujah, there are also seasons of God’s powerful blessings and harvest. I have seen our church at our best, and I can assure you I have seen our church at our worst. One of the great keys to staying anywhere is giving your church a break, realizing that all ministries have seasons.
“Churches are like people. We do not always have our greatest moments and greatest years. We suffer, we change, we hurt and we experience loss. So do churches. Yet, we cling to the hope of the cross, knowing that while weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning.
“A right perspective can help lead you to ministry longevity.” (Click to read the full article.)