Does ministry seem like Groundhog Day? You wake up and it is the same thing every day? Where nothing changes or improves no matter what you do? You are not alone.
In 1993 Bill Murray played a weatherman named Phil who was supposed to report on the forecast of Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog (or “rat” according to Murray’s character). What makes it a comedy is that Murray (Phil) would wake up at 6AM every morning as his clock radio turned on and played the same song “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher. It had the same banter by the DJ. He was stuck in a loop that he couldn’t escape. Phil then tried to do anything he could to break the cycle, but no matter what, he couldn’t. Not until he fell in love with Rita (actress Andie MacDowell).
Does ministry seem like you are stuck in a loop like that? As a pastor or church leader you try to do anything to change the trajectory of ministry but nothing seems to change. You try to introduce new worship styles and music, new studies, a different kind of sermon or sermon series, you try to use the latest book or program, but nothing changes. The church still has the same people coming to church, the same frustrations, the same complainers, the same people who volunteer, the same offering. Even if something goes well things just seem to “snap back” to the way it was, just like Phil would wake up to “I Got You Babe” on the clock radio.
Frustrating!
Discouraging even. Maybe worse.
Call it Groundhog Day or just being stuck. When we start to approach the end of our ideas and energy and hopes it can be a dark place in ministry. Many still persist, and what that looks like is trying to keep the Sunday worship services going or leaning into something else that you seem to do well, like visitation. Some pastors isolate themselves and seek a way out of their pain in other ways. There are those who blame themselves and still others who blame the church, the church council, their most vocal alligator or some other scapegoat. The real perception is that you have no viable choices. You are too young to retire and too old to quit, retool and change careers. So maybe you look for another call. Maybe you spend a little too much time in that hobby to take your mind off your stuckness. It can indeed be a dark place.
So what do you do to escape this stuck loop of “Ministry Groundhog Day”?
The first step is, you guessed it, admitting there is a problem. Yes. In the admission there is a recognition and acknowledging that you need help and you are open to exploring and learning. Certainly there will be some anxiety in not exactly knowing where to go and what to learn. After all, you’ve been scanning the internet and the conference speakers and books and break-outs for years and look where it got you - your stuck loop. That brings us to the second step.
The second step is, you guessed this one as well, getting help. A great option is to contact an ICF certified coach.
Let’s unpack that a bit. It isn’t a book, an article, a degree or certificate program. It isn’t a consultant or so called coach who will give you a plug and play solution that is given to everyone. It isn’t a counselor who’s legitimate role when necessary is to help you overcome your past hurts and traumas and live a more normal life. Coaching is a different helping skill. You are unique. Your situation is unique. Your solutions are going to need to be unique to you as well. Someone with International Coaching Federation credentials has gone through the rigor and hard work to learn how to coach. That means they will help you work through your blind spots and assumptions. They will ask you questions you wouldn’t ask yourself. That will help your brain to think differently and connect the dots that somehow you’ve been missing or ignoring.
Feeling stuck is a condition that is often based upon our unspoken or invisible mindsets and assumptions that limit what we see as possible for our organizations and also for ourselves. Our view becomes narrowed and myopic. We may cast blame inappropriately or stop seeing any viable options.
Coaching helps us see in an opposite manner. It’s like we take the time to back up and take a wider view. We see ourselves, our organizations, our past, present and future in context.
So an ICF certified coach can help us to see the big picture, gain clarity and imagine the future and what it will take to get there. Then a good coach will help us to design those actions steps. Furthermore they are guided by rock solid ethics and confidentiality and they guard your agenda without foisting one upon you. They are there to support your forward movement out o the loop.
There is hope! There is a real future for you. It will take work that begins with admitting you can’t do it alone. But I’m betting you are up for the journey. I invite you to contact me to explore what this could be for you. Another option is to read through the directory of ICF certified coaches at LCMScoaching.com. God bless your journey closer to Jesus and out of the ministry groundhog day!
Rev. Scott Gress is believes in Growing People for Ministry by focussing on leadership, discipleship and teamwork. Contact Scott if you are interested in him working with you or your church. A free 30 minutes sample session is available to explore how you might work best together. The Coaching Leader Podcast is also available on iTunes and his YouTube page. You can contact Scott through email scottgress@me.com or his blog page scottgress.com or at 561-542-4472
Growing People for Ministry" Leadership + Discipleship + Teamwork
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