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When the Thrill Is Gone and the Buzz Has Faded

When the Thrill Is Gone and the Buzz Has Faded

I’m a church planter, and most of what I’ve learned about the church has come the hard way.

Thirteen years ago, on the first Sunday in January, I launched Eastpoint Church. In the 25 or so years before that, I had helped start or reboot six other churches.

None of that makes me an expert, just experienced. I’m still learning. My most recent lesson is one I didn’t especially like, but I needed it nonetheless.

Here’s my latest discovery: At some point in your pastoring journey, you may end up in the land between “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat,” and what you do then matters—a lot.

In this in-between season, things aren’t necessarily all bad. In fact, you might have much to be thankful for in your church. The bills are paid. The staff are gifted, capable and faithful. People are showing up and still getting saved.

But the land between often means …

• The buzz has faded, and you aren’t the hot new thang in town anymore.

• The faithful are still with you but are much harder to inspire to sacrificial greatness.

• When you announce a new series, the old regulars suspect it’s not that new. They’ve heard most of your stories, and they already know where you’re going (maybe before you do).

• The church is relatively healthy but has plateaued or even declined.

• It is difficult for you to remember the last time you took a true leap of faith, when you put everything on the line in a risky spiritual venture.

I love the church. It is a great honor to serve the Kingdom as a pastor. It’s what I do and who I am, but above all, it is a calling (one only the called can truly understand). However, even my passion for the Kingdom is difficult to maintain in an environment in which I’ve grown bored or cynical.

I used to hate being comfortable and safe.

I used to love trying something radical and new.

In this past year, however, too much of my life seemed like white noise, and ministry at times felt a bit mundane.