The Four Seasons of Ministry
Navigating the cyclical nature of ministry and the coming apocalypse!
The apocalypse is coming!
79% of voters say that “America is falling apart”1, and all measures of national happiness and pride have fallen to record lows. The old American republic is collapsing, and a new America, although still unrecognizable, is under construction.
At the core of modern history lies a remarkable pattern that seems to follow the generations. Perhaps you’ve heard the quote below.
Our nation is teetering on the edge of this four-stage cycle, and if history is any guide, the “hard times” will culminate in a significant crisis that has less to do with masculinity and more to do with human nature.
It’s also the central argument of Neil Howe's thought-provoking book, The Fourth Turning: What the Seasons of History Tell Us About How and When the Crisis Will End. The author believes that history is cyclical and follows specific seasons or turnings every eighty to one hundred years.
The Glorious Revolution, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the Great Depression (and WW2) transformed our society and sent us on a new trajectory.
He believes our current season of secular upheaval will reach a breaking point sometime in the early 2030s with either 1) a massive financial crisis, 2) a civil war, or 3) a great-power war of nations.
It’s a fascinating book that argues that nations experience a predictable cycle of generational seasons.
Life and ministry often follow a similar pattern of turnings and transitions from one season to another. Learning to navigate these seasons is vitally important.
Seasons of Life and Ministry
Max Depree once wrote, “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality.” This reality check should be applied to both the organization and the leader.
The sagacious writer of Ecclesiastes once observed, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
The natural world is a great teacher.
Success in farming requires that specific activities be aligned with specific seasons. The same is true in life and ministry. Using the natural seasons as a metaphor, let’s look at four defined seasons of ministry.
What season are you in?
Spring- A Season of New Beginnings
The Spring ministry season is about planting and investing.
The air is fresh, the sky is blue, and endless potential exists. Springtime is characterized by renewal, fresh starts, and the excitement of new possibilities. During this season, the pastor or leader is a catalyst for change, willing to take risks to foster growth. Something new is on the horizon.
I remember my first church-planting assessment center in early 2003.
My wife and I sat through three days of training and counseling and left with a unanimous vote to plant a new church. It had been a long “winter season” for both of us, and we were excited for the arrival of Spring. I remember the long drive from our hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, to Dallas, TX, and the endless possibilities awaiting us there.
We were excited to start a new adventure.
Summer- A Season of Growth and Hard Work
The initiatives and activities begun in the Springtime need nurturing and watering.
The Summer phase of ministry is a time of hard work, dedication, and perseverance to sustain any new work or initiative. It involves recognizing the importance of consistent effort and focusing on long-term goals. This is the season of long hours and sustained effort.
Planting a new church in Dallas, TX, was exciting, but we eventually moved into the Summer season of ministry with endless outreach events, connecting with the community, building our staff team, and finding a more permanent location. This season required sustained work and effort, but the vision was still in front of us.
We were excited for the harvest!
Fall- A Season of Harvest and Reflection
Fall is the time for harvesting the fruits of the ministry’s labor.
It’s a period of reward, reflection, and preparation for future growth. In some seasons the harvest is greater than others, and this is a time to evaluate the effectiveness of ministry efforts. It’s also a season to encourage leaders, celebrate milestones, express gratitude, and share stories of transformation.
Our first church plant prospered, and after two years of ministry, we no longer felt like we were “green” in ministry. We started to experience a harvest as attendance grew, and people began coming to faith in Christ. The outreach events were also bearing much fruit.
We didn’t want the Fall season to end.
Winter- A Season of Rest and Introspection
Winter represents a time of rest, introspection, and preparation for the next ministry cycle.
This is a time for slowing down, conserving energy, and reflecting. It’s also a time to embrace stillness and seek God’s guidance for future direction. It's a time to heal, rest, and recharge for the next Spring season.
The Winter season arrived, and my wife and I began to sense that our church planting ministry was nearing completion. My role had changed, and the church needed a pastor more than a planter. God was positioning us to start something new.
While we could have enjoyed a new Springtime at our first church plant, God released us to start a new church and sent us on our way.
Reflecting on the Seasons
The seasons of ministry come and go at different intervals for different people.
However, after 20+ years of ministry, it has become clear that my “seasonal cycle” is quite predictable. I’m finding that Winter arrives about once every 3-4 years, and I’ve finally come to accept the seasons of ministry.
What about you? What do your past patterns in ministry tell you about the cycle of seasons?
If you are currently experiencing Winter, be encouraged. It won’t last forever. Spring is coming. If you are enduring the hard work of Summer, you will soon reap a harvest in Fall. If you are reaping a harvest, be prepared for Winter.
This is the wisdom of understanding the seasons and embracing their beauty and challenge. Here are three thoughts for navigating your current season of life and ministry.
1. Reflect on the past season.
The Bible calls us to reflect and remember. In the book of Joshua, twelve stones were removed from the Jordan River so the people would understand God’s provision. Reflecting on the past, helps us better understand the present. What season are you leaving behind?
2. Recognize the current season.
In 2 Timothy, Paul knew his season. He was imprisoned in Rome, and his departure from this world was at hand. He was nearing the end of his race. This recognition instilled in him an urgency to deliver a letter to Timothy. What season are you currently experiencing?
3. Identify the next season.
You may be in a Winter season, but Spring is coming. You may be in Spring, but the hard work of Summer is coming soon. Summer will give way to Fall, and Fall will give way to Winter. Knowing your current season allows you to anticipate the future. What season will you enter next?
“If you find your identity in a specific season, you will likely lose it in another.”
Be prepared. If you only celebrate the Fall season of harvest, you won’t be able to recognize the hidden blessings of Winter or Summer. If you revel in the newness of Spring, the hard work of Summer will come as a surprise.
God has a purpose for each season of life and ministry.
My prayer for you is to recognize the seasons and lean into all God is trying to teach you, knowing that, eventually, that season will change.
Jon Wiest is the Co-Founder and Strategic Director of Mobilize the Church. You can reach him at jwiest@mobilizethechurch.com or by calling 515.689.7145.
“The Hill”, January 14, 2021