GRN: What advice would you offer to young or aspiring ministers on maintaining a strong walk with God in the context of a busy ministry?
Dr. Wingard: Make sure you’re busy with the right things—what is necessary for the work of ministry and the building up of your flock. Hours a week can be squandered on busywork that has no direct benefit to the people you serve. Know what counts and stick with it. How do you know if what you’re doing is important? As you discharge your ministerial duties, if you don’t feel a sense of conscious dependence upon the Lord that is expressed in frequent and fervent prayer, then you’re expending your time and energy on what is trivial. Or worse, you’re carrying on your ministry in the strength of your own flesh and are in danger of losing your first love. Never far from your minds should be our Lord’s words, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
GRN: What advice would you give on the weekly preparation and preaching of the Word of God?
Dr. Wingard: Start on your homiletical outline first thing. Work with the end in view as you prepare during the week—what you will declare to the congregation on the Lord’s Day. As you meditate and pray, work through cross references, study the text in its original language, and dig into commentaries, always be thinking about what will edify your congregation—your clear exposition, helpful illustrations, and specific applications. What is the duty of every Christian is especially so for the minister. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). Pray for yourself as you prepare, that the words you choose will glorify God by building up the congregation. Pray for your congregation to receive the word read and preached, that they might be built up in grace..
GRN: What advice would you give on maintaining a healthy marriage and family life while in the trenches of gospel ministry?
Dr. Wingard: Watch what you say to your wife. You will have to speak with her about some difficulties you face at the church. But make sure in the interactions you have with her that your words of gratitude, appreciation, and delight in your flock far exceed the number of burdens you share. Chronic complaining about your church and a preoccupation with your trials can embitter your wife (and your children) toward the church. By your words and demeanor, let your family sense that your flock, and them as members of your flock, are your “joy and crown” (Philippians 4:1).
GRN: What advice would you give to young ministers on responding to criticism?
Dr. Wingard: Make sure your heart is right with the Lord and his people before criticism comes. Are you praying for your flock (which will always include critics)? Praying for critics means more than praying for the problems that exist in your relationships with them. They are fathers, mothers, and parents; they care for their parents; they struggle with family issues and trials at work; and their health can be poor. Pray for them comprehensively, interceding for their various needs. Your love for them will grow as you look beyond relational stresses. Ask them to pray for you. When you are praying for your people, you are much more likely to receive criticism well, forgo defensiveness, overlook minor irritations, forgive genuine wrongs, and grow when the criticism is constructive and helpful, as it often is.
GRN: What advice would you provide to young ministers as it concerns anxiety and stress management amidst the pressures of full-time ministry?
Dr. Wingard: Eliminate distractions. Stay focused. When studying, put away the phone. Silence the alerts. Focus on your studies. When you are visiting your flock, focus on what they say. Good pastors are good listeners. When you’re with family, put away books, computer, and cell phone. Give your family your undistracted attention. When you’re relaxing alone or with your family and friends, enjoy the moment. Don’t let work or smart phones distract—put them away. Ministry is not only less stressful but more fruitful when we focus on the tasks and people before us and refuse to be distracted. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
