Leading from a Place of Joy

There’s a moment in every leader’s journey when the burden feels heavy, the results seem distant, and the heart begins to wonder, Is it worth it?

For many in pastoral or ministry leadership, that moment can come in a quiet office, a tension-filled meeting, or a sleepless night. It’s often not the “big failures” that bring discouragement it’s the slow, grinding weight of unseen effort, misunderstood motives, and unmet expectations.

But it’s in precisely these valleys that God reshapes our vision and renews our calling. Leadership, especially in the church, is not about spotlight or status. It’s about joy real, sustaining joy in serving Christ and His people.

A Wake-Up Call at the Elders’ Table

The writer of this reflection recalls a pivotal moment: sharing ministry struggles with fellow elders, hoping for empathy, but instead being told bluntly and lovingly to “shut up.” The man who said it wasn’t being cruel. He was a retired marine, a veteran of three tours in Vietnam, a man who’d experienced the horrors of war and returned home to rejection, not honor.

That moment cut through the fog. It reframed hardship in leadership as not something to wallow in, but something to see with fresh eyes. From that day forward, the “no complaining” rule took hold grounded not in denial of difficulty, but in recognition of the privilege of leadership.

Leadership Is a Choice, Not a Chain

No one is forced into ministry leadership. It is a willing act of service. Scripture makes that clear in 1 Timothy 3:1: “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” Leadership in the church is voluntary. We don’t have to lead we get to lead.

This is why Paul urged leaders to serve “with joy and not with groaning” (Hebrews 13:17). A groaning leader discourages the flock. A joyful one lifts it.

Choosing leadership means choosing its costs. The late nights, the difficult conversations, the spiritual weight it’s part of the role. But when we forget that it's a chosen path, we begin to feel trapped, entitled, and resentful. That’s when complaining begins. And that’s when joy starts to fade.

The Cost of Servanthood

Servant leadership sounds noble until we’re actually treated like servants. It’s one thing to preach humility it’s another to be ignored, criticized, or taken for granted. And yet Jesus, the ultimate servant leader, washed the feet of the very men who would betray, deny, and abandon Him.

Jesus didn’t just talk about being a servant He lived it to the end.

For ministry leaders today, that means accepting that we will be overlooked. Some will resist our leadership. Others may act like we exist to serve their needs alone. It can be draining but it’s not a mistake. It’s servant leadership at work. And the more we understand this reality, the less tempted we’ll be to treat recognition as a right.

Suffering Is a Privilege, Not a Punishment

According to a 2022 survey by Barna Group, 42% of pastors have seriously considered quitting full-time ministry largely due to stress, loneliness, and political division. This should awaken us to the deep spiritual warfare happening behind pulpits and leadership tables.

But hardship in ministry should not be unexpected. It’s part of the package. Jesus never hid that reality. Paul embraced it. He called ministry’s trials “light and momentary afflictions” compared to eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). He urged Timothy to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3).

Suffering in ministry isn’t a failure it’s often a mark of faithfulness. And when we suffer for Christ, we suffer with Him. Philippians 1:29 reminds us that it's been granted to us not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake.

That’s not defeat. That’s honor.

Remembering the Joy Set Before Us

The writer of Hebrews gives us a powerful image Jesus, “for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). The cross was not joyful but Jesus’ vision went beyond it. He saw the joy on the other side. Ministry leaders must do the same.

Our reward is not a paycheck, a platform, or a plaque on a wall. Our reward is Christ Himself and the joy of seeing others grow into His likeness.

Peter echoes this hope when he writes that faithful shepherds will receive “the unfading crown of glory” when the Chief Shepherd appears (1 Peter 5:4). That’s not poetic fluff it’s a real promise from a real King.

When Joy Fades, Recalibrate

If leading in the church feels only like a burden, it’s time to check your spiritual compass. Joyless leadership is not just unhealthy it’s a danger to the soul and the flock.

The gospel itself is a message of joy. It begins with “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10) and ends with the joy of being welcomed into eternity. How then can we lead joylessly?

Sometimes, joy fades because we focus more on outcomes than obedience, more on applause than faithfulness. But joy returns when we remember that ministry is not about what we do for God, but what God has done for us and the gift of inviting us into His work.

The Joy of Serving the Bride

It’s hard to comprehend that the King of Kings entrusts broken men and women to care for His Bride the Church. And yet, He does. He calls us, equips us, and walks with us.

This isn’t a burden to begrudge. It’s a miracle to marvel at.

So if you're a pastor, elder, ministry director, or volunteer leader serve with joy. Choose joy. Return to joy. Not a fake smile or shallow optimism, but a deep, unshakable joy rooted in the gospel and fixed on eternity.

No more complaining. Only praise.

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