Ministry Is Way Too Good Not to Enjoy It

We don't often hear about the joy of ministry.

Responsibility, yes. Sacrifice, showing up on time ...

Yet the joy of ministry is what draws us in the first place. Leading the lost to Christ. Introducing a new worship chorus. Being there for a convert's baptismal experience. Seeing the joy as the infilling of the Holy Spirit sweeps over someone.

Ministry is as close as we can come to being the hands of Jesus to those around us. So, where has our joy gone? It has been stolen by the busyness and repetitive nature of the very ministry that used to bring us joy.

Drudgery has become our new normal.

In this book, I want to break that cycle, shatter the new normal, and reintroduce you to the joy that ministry can bring into your life.

Today is your opportunity to return to where God wants you to be: surrounded by Him, full of joy, and prepared to spread His joy to everyone in your sphere of influence.

Let's get to it.

Pastor Tim

A Message from the Desk of Tim Barker:

The most powerful verse about the joy of ministry is 1 Thess. 2:20.

"Indeed, You are our glory and joy."

Hebrews 13:17 says to serve "with joy and not with groaning."

Joyful leadership is an advantage for the entire body of Christ. God wants to return His joy to you.

Tim R. Barker, D. Min.

About Tim:

Reverend Tim R. Barker is the Network Pastor/Superintendent of the South Texas Ministry Network, which is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

He is a graduate of Southwestern Assemblies of God University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Ministries/Biblical Studies, with a minor in music. He also received a Master of Arts in Practical Theology from SAGU and received his Doctorate of Ministry Degree from West Coast Seminary.

Reverend Barker was ordained by the Assemblies of God in 1989. He began his ministry in the South Texas District in 1984 as youth & music minister and continued his ministry as Pastor, Executive Presbyter (2006 - 2009) and Executive Secretary-Treasurer (2009 - 2011) in the South Texas District, where he served until his election as the South Texas District Superintendent in 2011.

By virtue of his district office, Reverend Barker is a member of the District's Executive Presbytery and the General Presbytery of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, Springfield, Missouri. He is a member of the Executive Board of Regents for Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Waxahachie, Texas, and SAGU-American Indian College, Phoenix, Arizona. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Pleasant Hills Children's Home, Fairfield, Texas, as well as numerous other boards and committees.

Reverend Barker and his wife, Jill, married in 1983, have been blessed with two daughters. Jordin and her husband, Stancle Williams, who serves as the South Texas District Youth Director. Abrielle and her husband, Nolan McLaughlin, are church planters of Motion Church in San Antonio. The Barkers have four grandchildren, Braylen, Emory and Landon Williams and Kingston McLaughlin.

His unique style of pulpit ministry and musical background challenges the body of Christ, with an appeal that reaches the generations.