Sometimes in ministry it can be really hard to say no. Take for example today. A minister from a neighbouring town was in a bit of a jam as the person he had lined up to do the kids program at his church camp pulled out at the last minute. (2 weeks until the camp) He asked me if I could help.It was a really difficult decision to make. I had the day free to be able to go and do the program, it was a worthy, gracious and even generous thing to do. It made sense to do it, to help them out. I felt pressured (from myself) to say yes. But in the end I had to say no. The lead up time would not be adequate and other ministry areas would then suffer because of the time that would be devoted to organising the program.
This was an extremely difficult decision to make. Yet even though it was difficult I realised that it was the right decision to make and also realised the importance of being able to say no.
To be able to say no in ministry or for anything for that matter means that we do not over commit ourselves to the detriment of ourselves (burning out) our families or our other ministries that may suffer. We need to be able to pace ourselves and be able to run the race faithfully to the end and in the meantime be fit and able for a lifetime of ministry.
