The Pros and Cons of Ministry

Serving in ministry is an exciting voyage, but it is one that requires preparation for both strenuous climbs and beautiful vistas. Whether you are a vocational pastor or a volunteer leader, the journey of service reveals countless glimpses of God’s mercy alongside significant obstacles. In this series, Chuck Swindoll draws from biblical wisdom and his own decades of experience to share the “pros and cons” of ministry life. You will learn how to identify the essential ingredients for success, guard against the “boars” that threaten the vineyard, and focus on the lasting legacy you will pass on to others.

Message 1: The Essential Ingredient for Ministry

Sermon Overview Reflecting on his six decades since arriving at seminary as a first-year student, Charles R. Swindoll addresses the single most vital, yet rarely taught, ingredient for a successful life in ministry: uncompromising integrity. Integrity is the state of being whole, intact, and undivided—meaning a person has absolutely nothing to hide and nothing to fear. Looking at the life of Daniel in the Old Testament, Swindoll unpacks how true integrity distinguishes a leader. Despite intense jealousy and a deep investigation by 120 rival governors, Daniel’s enemies could find zero evidence of negligence or corruption in his private or public life. This message challenges ministry leaders to stop acting as “people pleasers,” to establish rigorous personal checkpoints, and to live authentically for an “audience of One”.

Key Facts

• The Definition of Integrity: Quoting Warren Wiersbe, integrity means wholeness and entireness. It is the opposite of duplicity (being divided) and hypocrisy (merely pretending).
• Marks of Integrity: A person of integrity is verbally trustworthy, financially accountable, privately clean (no double life), intellectually honest (never plagiarizing), and openly vulnerable about their inadequacies.
• The Danger of a Lack of Self-Awareness: As leaders become more well-known and in demand, they frequently lose self-awareness regarding their own hypocrisy. Honest spouses and personal restraint are essential checkpoints.
• A Legacy Without Secrets: Swindoll shares the powerful story of a friend who was tasked with sorting through his deceased father’s private effects, weeping with joy because he found absolutely no scandals or hidden sins—proving the man was exactly who he claimed to be.

Scripture References

• Proverbs 10:9; 11:3; 20:6–7
• Psalm 78:70–72
• Daniel 6:1–4

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Message 2: Boars in God’s Vineyard

Sermon Overview Entering the ministry is not stepping onto a playground; it is stepping onto a battleground. Addressing the first major “con” or difficulty in ministry, Swindoll provides raw, realistic advice on dealing with difficult people—whom Martin Luther famously called “wild boars in God’s vineyard”. While most churches are filled with loving and generous people, every congregation has individuals who cause dissension, stir the pot, and serve their own personal interests through smooth and flattering talk. A faithful shepherd must possess the mind of a scholar, the heart of a child, and the hide of a rhinoceros. This requires the courage to watch out for the flock and, when necessary, directly confront and separate from toxic individuals to protect the innocent sheep.

Key Facts

• Not a Popularity Cult: A faithful minister is not called to be a people-pleaser, to soften the truth, or to adapt their words to what is politically correct. They must deliver what the congregation needs to hear, not just what they want to hear.
• The Reality of “Savages”: The Bible repeatedly warns about dangerous people in the church, including treacherous wolves (Acts 20), legalists who spy out liberty (Galatians 2), and malicious gossips.
• Deceiving the Innocent: According to Romans 16, difficult people create polarization and hindrances to serve their own egos. Tragically, their smooth talk easily deceives the immature, gullible members of the flock.
• The Relief of Confrontation: Swindoll shares personal stories of finally confronting a divisive gossip and an elder who carried a loaded gun, demonstrating that while church discipline is highly unpopular and unpleasant, the ultimate relief and protection of the congregation are worth the risk.

Scripture References

• Romans 16:17–20
• Acts 8:3; Acts 20:29
• Galatians 2:4–5

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Message 3: Fleshly Failures that Damage a Ministry

Sermon Overview The second great challenge of ministry is the inescapable reality of our own humanity. We bring our flesh, bad habits, and old sin nature with us wherever God calls us. Turning to 2 Corinthians 4, Swindoll unpacks the necessity of relying entirely on the Holy Spirit rather than human effort. Because the flesh constantly urges us to seek credit, hide shameful actions, and grow weary, believers desperately need God’s special mercy to keep from quitting. Furthermore, an authentic ministry demands the absolute rejection of hidden, deceitful behaviors and requires handling the sacred Word of God with pristine accuracy, clarity, and practicality. Ultimately, God intentionally places the priceless treasure of the Gospel inside fragile “clay pots” so that He alone receives the glory.

Key Facts

• An Unchanging Nature: Earning a seminary degree or a theological title does not eradicate the old sin nature; it will aggressively seek to control your decisions and steal God’s glory until the day you die.
• Mercy to Not Lose Heart: Paul frequently uses a word for “losing heart” or “growing weary.” Because ministry is exhausting and confusing, special mercy from God is the only thing that prevents leaders from abandoning their post too soon.
• Three Things to Reject: A lasting ministry must definitively renounce three fleshly habits: hiding shameful things, acting in craftiness (deceitfulness), and adulterating (corrupting/twisting) the Word of God.
• Authenticity Over Piety: The modern generation has a highly sensitive radar for religious hypocrisy. Ministers must avoid “super piety” or pretending to be someone they are not, choosing instead to be sincere, fragile clay jars.

Scripture References

• 2 Corinthians 4:1–7
• Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:13

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Message 4: Don’t Miss the Messages in Your Misfortune

Sermon Overview The third challenge of ministry involves the devastating, unexpected things that happen to us—tragedies that are rarely our fault but threaten to cut our legs out from under us. Swindoll explains that “when God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible person and crushes him”. Drawing on Paul’s realistic job description in 2 Corinthians 4, he reminds believers that they will be afflicted, perplexed (at wit’s end), persecuted, and struck down. When these crushing blows occur—whether a sudden illness, a betrayal, or a family crisis—we must rely on the unshakable promise of Romans 8:28. Even when we cannot see the future or know how to pray, we know that God is actively causing all things to work together for His glory and our ultimate good.

Key Facts

• Wishes of “Bad Luck”: Echoing Chief Justice John Roberts’ unconventional commencement speech, Swindoll notes that experiencing betrayal, loneliness, and unfairness is necessary to teach believers loyalty, compassion, and the value of justice.
• Five Hopes for Leaders: Swindoll hopes young leaders experience five things: no early success (to prevent pride), obscurity (to teach humility), failure in the flesh, confrontation with difficult people, and unexpected obstacles that redirect their paths to God’s ultimate goals.
• The Crucible of Crushing: God uses the wilderness experiences and storms of life to humble believers, test their character, and reveal what is truly inside their hearts.
• A Shift in Perspective: Just as Paul’s unexpected imprisonment led to the evangelization of the Praetorian Guard, God frequently uses our deepest misfortunes to expand the Gospel in ways we could never have engineered.

Scripture References

• 2 Corinthians 4:8–9
• Romans 8:24–28
• Romans 11:33
• Deuteronomy 8:2
• Nahum 1:3

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Message 5: What Will You Pass On to Others?

Sermon Overview In a culture obsessed with financial portfolios and resumes, we often forget that we enter this world broke and we will leave it broke; ultimately, “all that lasts is what you pass on”. In this message, Swindoll unpacks the profound checklist of character traits found in Romans 12:9–16, illustrating what a life truly worth passing on looks like. Taking center stage is the pervasive trait of love—a sincere, unhypocritical affection that seeks the highest good of others while clinging fiercely to the truth. Swindoll challenges believers to cultivate devoted affection, contagious enthusiasm, steadfast prayer, generosity, deep empathy, and the crowning virtue of humility. By remembering our humble beginnings, we leave a legacy of authentic love that will linger long after our faces are forgotten.

Key Facts

• The Ephemeral Nature of Wealth: A traumatic car accident taught author Stephen King that no matter how rich you are, “no one accepts Mastercard” in a ditch. Life’s only true lasting legacy is a life well-lived for others.
• Love Without Hypocrisy: Biblical love is not blind sentiment or play-acting theater. It possesses the backbone to hate what is evil and the sincerity to be totally authentic.
• A “One-Buttock” Passion: Illustrating the trait of enthusiasm, Swindoll shares the story of a music conductor who taught a rigid pianist to lean into the music and become a passionate “one-buttock player,” challenging ministers to preach and serve with that same captivating zeal.
• Remembering the Hole: True humility requires remembering the “hole from which we were dug.” Swindoll points to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who never lost his heart for ordinary people because he never forgot his impoverished roots in Pinpoint, Georgia.

Scripture References

• Romans 12:9–16
• 1 Corinthians 13

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Message 6: Making a Lasting Difference

Sermon Overview People who make a lasting difference refuse to drift in mediocrity or fade away in obscurity; they are driven solely by the desire to make their lives count for eternity. Using Paul’s final letter to Timothy, Swindoll highlights the necessity of possessing deep, unshakable convictions in a culture that is rapidly decaying. Second Timothy 3 warns that believers will minister in “savage” times characterized by extreme selfishness, arrogance, and deception. To survive and make a difference, a believer must look back to the faithful mentors who taught them, endure the guaranteed persecutions of the present, and firmly continue in the objective truths they have learned.

Key Facts

• Motivations of a Difference-Maker: Those who leave an eternal mark are not motivated by money, do not seek to impress people, are not driven by applause, and are completely unafraid of risk, hardship, and sacrifice.
• Savage Times: The Greek word for “difficult times” in 2 Timothy 3:1 is used elsewhere to describe violent, demon-possessed men (Matthew 8). Ministers must be prepared to serve in a society that is exceedingly fierce and hostile to the truth.
• Remembrance and Continuance: There is a powerful link between remembering the faithful modeling of past mentors (parents, teachers, pastors) and having the strength to continue in the truth today.
• Knowledge vs. Convictions: As Dr. John Walvoord warned the graduating class of 1963, having a great deal of biblical knowledge is insufficient for ministry; enduring hardship requires unyielding, personal convictions.

Scripture References

• 2 Timothy 3:1–5, 10–14
• Matthew 8:28
• Proverbs 27:6
• Job 23:10–12