Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5
Long work hours. Evening rehearsals. Stressful budgets. Endless planning for new guests. Tricky chair counts and overflow room broadcasting stress…Must be almost Easter, huh?
Sure we’ll sing the new songs all about new life, restored hope, and chains being broken forever, but it’s no secret that Easter services and the weeks leading up to them can take a toll on the energy and resources of a church staff. While there is much to celebrate in terms of life change, attendance, and first-time guests, Easter typically carries a weight that leaves leaders exhausted and weary.
In the midst of all of the planning of services and related events, we can lose sight of the ongoing power of the resurrection in our own lives. Here are three reminders for ministry leaders as we approach this weekend:
Easter reminds us of our own need for a Savior
Often, we can become so focused on the experiences of those who attend our holiday services that we forget to reflect on Easter’s implications in our own lives. As we create environments and services that highlight the cross and empty tomb, it’s important that we pause to remember the implication of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection in our own lives.
We must slow down enough to recognize our shortcomings, our inability to save ourselves, and God’s kindness in making a way for us through Jesus. In doing so, we will be able to lead with a powerful collision of both humility and confidence.
Easter reminds us that life change only happens through Jesus
It’s important for us to admit that there is no amount of planning, programming, set building, event design, or marketing that can bring the lasting life change that Jesus can bring. As we pray and prepare for services this weekend, it’s important for us to work from the reminder that it is only through the power of Jesus’ resurrection that our church can experience true and lasting change. Approaching our Easter services with this perspective will empower us to faithfully and purely magnify the Gospel to our communities without our own agendas getting in the way.
In reflecting on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we are reminded that our role as pastors and leaders is not simply to offer self-help advice or moral guidance but to point people to the life-changing power of the Gospel. It’s through the resurrection of Jesus that God demonstrated His power to bring about new life and transformation. When we focus on pointing people to Jesus and the hope of the Gospel, we can trust that God will work in the hearts and lives of our congregation to bring about lasting change.
Easter reminds us that nothing is impossible to God
The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate display of God’s power and ability to do the impossible. As we face difficult circumstances or seemingly impossible situations in our churches and personal lives, we are reminded of God’s limitless power to bring about transformation and renewal.
The empty tomb proves God’s power and ability to conquer all things, even death itself. This message provides hope and freedom to believers and should remind church leaders of God’s limitless power, sovereignty, and goodness.
As we work through the challenges and obstacles of ministry, we can take comfort in the fact that God is a God of the impossible. When we face unsolvable and haunting problems or situations that are well beyond our control, Easter reminds us that God is more than capable of moving in places we claim to be hopeless.
Easter reminds us that we are loved and cared for by a God who isn’t limited by the same things that hold us back. When all hope is lost, we can turn to God, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). As we lean into God’s power and sovereignty, we find renewed strength and confidence in our calling to lead and shepherd our churches.