By Danny Minton

Why do men and women quit the ministry?
Why do church leaders resign?
Why do members change congregations?
Why do people, once active, give up?

I’m sure we could all come up with our personal list of reasons. Chances are they’d all be different, and they’d all be right in one way or another. However, no matter what our lists include, in many cases, it boils down to a simple one-word answer: discouragement.

I was a freshman at Arlington State College when I decided to transfer to Abilene Christian College and change my major from aeronautical engineering to ministry. I had started attending “church” only a year or so earlier, but what changed my mind was a class that I took on New Testament Survey at the Bible Chair. We were required to buy a copy of the RSV as part of the class. I remember mine being a blue hardback New Testament. That semester, I began reading “The Story” from beginning to end for the first time in my life. I couldn’t put it down. There was an exciting passion that swept over me that is hard to describe. Perhaps you can remember when you first had that passion fill your heart to serve, a fire that burned so hot in you that you were consumed with a deep desire to go to work for the Lord. There’s hardly a thing that can come close to that moment when you feel so close to God.

However, in ministry at any level, there can come a time when we are discouraged, downhearted, and just want to get away from it all—to walk away and not have to think about all the issues; to let someone else carry the burdens. We long to have that passion back that we first felt, but are at a loss on how to relive that feeling! We tell ourselves, “Maybe, if I just quit, it will help it return.” We change “churches” looking for it. We try different things, trying to get that feeling back. We hurt, and our hearts ache because we yearn to feel that way again.

Let me share a story about a family I knew several years ago. One evening, I spent time with Mary Lou McKissick. She was telling me about their trip to the “Abundant Life Retreat.” While there, they were honored by being given the first of many awards to come, the “Joe and Mary Lou McKissick Award” for outstanding achievement in working with older Christians. Joe covered his face and, in tears, asked what they had done to deserve the award when there were so many others who were more qualified than they were.

She shared how Joe had worked with older adults in Canada. A group wanted to start a program in the 1970s where it would pay for older individuals to live in a retirement center. However, to do this, they needed an administrator. At that time, none could be found, so the dream fell through. Undaunted by the desire to continue their work, Mary Lou prayed for God to give them an opportunity, but if at all possible, in the warm South. God answered the prayer, and a church in Lewisville offered to support their work in Texas. So, they sold their house and moved. When they arrived, the big oil boom “busted” and many churches were struggling financially. The church told them that they would keep their promise and support the work. Joe and Mary Lou found out that to do so would mean bringing a missionary home. Of course, this was out of the question, so they refused the offer.

Again, undeterred, they used the money they had earned from selling their house to begin their ministry. In 1988, they moved to Abilene, where Joe worked with the program at ACU. Joe opted out of Social Security years before, but that didn’t keep his work from being done. Several churches and his family supported Mary Lou, him, and their work. Even though his health began to fail, he continued to work with the senior citizens. Despite all the struggles, the thought of giving up the ministry never crossed their minds. God always found a way. 

I find that the best way to rekindle my passion is to pay attention to those around me whose passion for the Lord and serving Him is still glowing. They show me what it truly means to serve the Lord and never give up. 

People like the McKissicks should inspire us to “keep on keeping on.” For others to feel the passion again in their hearts, they must witness the passion of those who lead and serve.

If we portray “doom and gloom,” it will translate into discouraged people. However, if we keep the fires of passion for Jesus Christ burning, it will spread like wildfire.

May those around us see passion within our hearts so that it will give light to everyone in the house!

Danny Minton is a former Elder and minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ

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“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:15