Set Your Hand to the Plough: Practical Advice for Gospel Ministers
#3 take your time
When young men step into the ministry, they often arrive with a fire in their bones. Often they have an ambitious vision for change, a zeal to fix what’s broken, and a heart eager to see the Lord’s people reformed. The work of reformation, especially in an established church, is not a sprint; it is a marathon that demands patience, wisdom, and humility. You need to take your time.
The Temptation to Rush
You walk into a church, and it doesn’t take long to spot the cracks—doctrinal misunderstandings, neglected practices, or confessions of faith that exist on paper but not in practice. The impulse is to roll up your sleeves and start reforming immediately. After all, you’ve studied theology, you’ve read the Puritans, you know what a church should be like! But here’s the reality: haste can destroy what you’re trying to build.
Reformation is about transforming a people—Christ’s bride—into greater conformity to Him. That’s not a weekend project. Rushing in with a reformation agenda without understanding the church’s heartbeat can fracture trust, alienate people, and even dismantle the very body you’re called to serve. It is possible to go into a church with the best intentions, see what needs to be reformed, go about the work of reformation, and actually end up destroying the church! We must not be guilty of such a thing.
Diagnose with Care
It is imperative that you withhold from prescribing solutions until you’ve got the diagnosis right. You might think you see the problem clearly—maybe the church confesses the doctrines of grace but hasn’t grasped its implications, or perhaps its ecclesiology is more pragmatic than biblical. Even if problems like this appear simple, making assumptions can be dangerous. What looks like a failure might be a misunderstanding, a cultural quirk, or a wound you haven’t yet uncovered. Take your time to listen, observe, and ask questions. Build relationships. Earn trust. Only then will you see the real issues, not just the ones you expected to find.
The ministry is not about being strategic; it’s about being faithful. Rushing to conclusions may lead to you harming the people God has called you to shepherd.
Build on a Solid Foundation
Every church has a foundation—its confessions of faith, its history, its shared convictions, but don’t assume that foundation is as solid as it seems. A church might call itself Reformed, but its understanding of those doctrines could be shaky or incomplete. Before you start building new structures—whether that’s new ministries, worship practices, or theological emphases—make sure the foundation is secure. Address gaps in understanding with patience and clarity. Teach. Model. Disciple. This takes time, but it’s essential. A house built on sand won’t stand (Matt. 7:26-27).
Reformation Is a Long Game
How long will it take to reform a church? A year? Five? Ten? You must forget timelines. If it takes 25 years, you give 25 years. The work of ministry isn’t about quick wins; it’s about preparing Christ’s bride for glory. That’s a task that might outlast your tenure. The man who comes after you might finish what you start—and that’s okay. Ministry isn’t about your legacy; it’s about Christ’s church. As Paul wrote, “We are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (1 Cor. 3:9). Plant faithfully, water diligently, and trust God for the growth.
The Hardest Reformation Starts with You
Here’s the humbling truth: the person who needs the most reformation is you. You’ll see the church’s flaws quickly— priorities that are out of whack or blind spots in their doctrine, but the congregation is watching you, and they’ll see your flaws as well. Ministry is a two-way street. As you call the church to grow in Christ, they’ll call you to do the same. “We are built up together,” as Ephesians 4 reminds us, growing into maturity as one body. Let the church shape you as you seek to shape it. Be teachable. Be humble. Be patient.
A Life of Perseverance
The ministry is relentless. It will stretch you, exhaust you, and demand your all. However, it is worth all that you give. Watching Christ work through His Word to transform lives, seeing His Spirit bring light to dark places—these are the joys that make every sacrifice worthwhile. As Caleb Evans urged the students of Bristol Baptist College, our work must be driven by “unfeigned love to Jesus Christ and to the souls of men.”¹ Take your time, love Christ’s bride well, and trust Him to build His church.
This post is part three of a ten-part series offering honest, practical advice for those stepping into gospel ministry. If you’re wrestling with the call or navigating the early days of serving a church, keep journeying with us through these reflections.
Footnotes
¹ Caleb Evans, Advice to Students Having in View Christian Ministry; Addressed to Them at the Academy in Bristol (April 12, 1770), 1.
Oliver Allmand-Smith
Pastor of Trinity Grace Church, UK;
Trustee of International Reformed
Baptist Seminary, Mansfield, TX
