Article Library

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By Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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The Value of Contentment

“One of the greatest benefits of learning contentment, don’t miss this, it puts the brakes on covetousness. You will envy less when you are contented. Just settle in. You’re where God’s called you. Let me give you a tip, there will always be a larger church. There will always be a bigger salary. There will always be better weather. There will always be greater prestige. There will always be more benefits. And you’ll tell yourself, there will always be nicer people in the congregation if I go there. Here’s a very important principle, the grass is not only not greener, it’s not even edible on the other side of the fence. Invariably, you may have better weather, but you’ll run into people that were worse than what you left, or you’ll find yourself in a situation that has got trials that you didn’t have earlier. So no matter where you are, settle in. Stay there, unless God clearly is leading you to move. Stay, hang in there, find contentment in it. Be known as one who gave it the long haul.”

Seize Your Calling

“That’s the ministry. Seize it. Don’t play with it. You’re in this thing. Wherever God calls you, for however long you’re alive. When joining the ranks of ministry, you’re joining an eternal body of essentials. Something never to be treated halfheartedly. When you seize the reins and stay fastened to it, riding it for all it’s worth to the end, you will know the joy of truly following Christ and taking up your cross and dying for Him.”

Be Vulnerable and Grateful

“Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable with your congregation, with those that you’re ministering to or those you’re teaching. Tell them how much you love them and use that word. Express gratitude for them.”

Weep with Those Who Weep

“Enter into the grief of your friends. Weep with those who weep. Let it out. Tell them you care, but don’t say it unless you mean it. Pray with your wife about that family going through a really tough time. Let the people impact your life. You’ll be a better person for it, and you’ll endear yourself to them for a lifetime.”

Contend without Becoming Contentious

“The ministry includes days when you must agonize through the conflict. If it’s worth your contending for it, contend without becoming contentious. We don’t need more contentious people in ministry. Face the struggles head on. Don’t back away from them. If you must deal with them, struggle through them. Guard against developing a narrow-minded defensive, fight back kind of ministry. It’s a principle worth standing for. Stand and agonize through it, but don’t look for a fight. You can disagree without becoming disagreeable.”

Additional Resources

First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.

Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.

Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your finger tips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.

Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.

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