What are the symptoms of ministry knots, and how can they be massaged out in a church? Consider these five symptoms.
By Kevin Freeman
Have you ever woken up with a stiff back or neck? I have. Some days I have trouble turning my neck to the left or right without feeling pain in my upper back. It’s a knot.
People who suffer from muscle knots seek relief from a variety of sources. One of those is through massage therapy. A trained masseuse can find the muscles that have knotted up. Knots are muscle spasms, the uncomfortable contracting of portions of muscle, due to irritation or overuse.
Knots are not merely uncomfortable; they also require energy. A part of you that should be relaxed has tensed, sapping your energy and leaving you tired.
Church ministries develop “knots” similar to muscles. These are areas of church life that seem to always bring discomfort while requiring additional energy from people. Despite the effort, little fruit shows. What are the symptoms of ministry knots, and how can you massage them out in your church? Consider these five symptoms.
“Church ministries develop ‘knots’ similar to muscles. These are areas of church life that seem to always bring discomfort while requiring additional energy from people.” — Kevin Freeman Share on X1. Ongoing volunteer needs
Knots draw energy to some areas that could be better distributed to other areas. The result is that all ministry zones seem short-staffed. Volunteer needs may stem from various struggles, including low emphasis on vision, a negative environment, or trying to do too much. Prolonged volunteer needs lead to frequent pleas from the pulpit, mostly about the need rather than the outcome.
2. Busyness, exhaustion, and a wee bit of envy
Some people will serve in a church ministry despite their busy schedule and will fill multiple needed roles to their own detriment. These amazing servants expend exorbitant levels of energy so ministry “gets done.” Yet they do so at the expense of their own creativity and passion. They are at the heart of the knot.
Because they have spread themselves too thin, they cannot give their best effort. They also may resent others who have not volunteered to serve. Worn-out volunteers do not garner new recruits, but they may bring tension to ministry. Those who don’t serve may simply be idle, or they may wish to avoid the experience they see among current volunteers.
3. Management mentality over mission mindset
Church leaders can find themselves so busy ensuring ministry happens that they emphasize plugging holes over producing a harvest. They would love to see a team of people developing fresh ideas to carry out a vision, but they must first find more volunteers while handling the tasks created by the volunteer vacuum.
Leaders spend so much energy keeping the ship afloat that they forget to chart a course. Though they are called to “equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12, CSB), ministry needs get in the way. When equipped properly, volunteerism increases, and the church is built up to maturity (Ephesians 4:13).
“Church leaders can find themselves so busy ensuring ministry happens that they emphasize plugging holes over producing a harvest.” — Kevin Freeman Share on X4. A focus on the what rather than the why
Instead of casting the vision and recruiting people for the mission, churches with ministry knots are focused on the needs. Volunteers tend to be drawn to a larger purpose rather than to a task.
Jesus told His disciples, “Open your eyes and look at the fields, because they are ready for harvest” (John 4:35b, CSB). He shared the larger picture, the outcome that could come from their work in the fields. As people are reminded of the goal—the desired outcome of their labors—they will be encouraged to increase their involvement.
5. Appeals go to people rather than to God
Ministry knots reflect people attempting God’s work in their own strength. Whatever the problem, more effort is the perceived solution. God saved us from that. Just as our works do not save us (Ephesians 2:9), our continued efforts are not required to further God’s kingdom.
God calls us to serve Him—He did, after all, create us to do good works in service to Him (Ephesians 2:10)—but God produces the ministry fruit. Forgetting this, churches with ministry knots often push needs on the people rather than lift them to God.
Thankfully, ministry knots can be relaxed as your church’s ministry muscle is restored to normal function. The muscle can once again accomplish its purpose without the painful tightness that once stressed it.
How can you find relief?
1. Increase your prayer life. “Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38, CSB). Ask God to fill the needs you see, reminding yourself that it’s His harvest, not yours.
2. Encourage rest. Be willing to sacrifice some ministry to salvage your people. Over-extending ourselves doesn’t help, and it reflects a distrust of God. The psalmist writes, “In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food—yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves” (Psalm 127:2, CSB).
“Be willing to sacrifice some ministry to salvage your people. Over-extending ourselves doesn't help, and it reflects a distrust of God.” — Kevin Freeman Share on X3. Rally around mission. Remind people of the mission God’s called you to. Your church may have a mission statement. At its heart is the call to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). Connect volunteer roles, great and small, to that mission.
4. Celebrate often. Create a climate of joy and celebration over what God does in your midst. Discover the shift toward joyfulness as people increasingly proclaim what God is doing in your midst. We are told, “Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart” (Psalm 32:11, CSB).
For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.
