How can we finish strong? How can the final chapters of our life narratives end well? Here are four things to keep in mind.
By Chris Maxwell
Life is a collection of seasons. We can title them stages. Or phases. But whatever our age, our ministry, our title, or our story, we move toward a finish line. Others are watching as we lead. Others are following as we endure.
How can we finish strong? How can the final chapters of our life narratives end well?
In his book, Gun Lap: Staying in the Race with Purpose, Robert Wolgemuth uses the image of a marathon. Life and leadership, from Wolgemuth’s perspective, offer wonderful opportunities to end well. His book provides stories and examples and plans for leaders to reach that goal.
Gun Lap is beneficial to those in ministry—no matter their age. Especially during these times when statistics inform us of burnout and leaders abandoning ministry. What does this book say? Quitting isn’t an option. Giving up isn’t a choice. Staying in the race, completing the calling, enduring the adventure, abiding in grace—those are the roles today’s leaders must play. Those are the plans for completing the race.
Running for those to come
Wolgemuth believes the future can be the best part of life. A best-selling author, he has been in the publishing business for over 40 years and served as owner and president of the literary agency, Wolgemuth & Associates, Inc.
But he hasn’t only learned from his decades of books and leadership; he has learned from hearing the news about having cancer. He knows about the true meaning of melanoma. Grief, transition, uncertainty, and bad news. How can church leaders respond to such news in our hurried culture? “It isn’t enough to talk our own talk or walk our own walk merely for our own good,” he writes, “because our life is not only about us.”
Wolgemuth offers steps to finish well: humility, patience, gentleness, affirmation, encouragement, tenderness, and affection. Hold hands. Send cards. Suffer together. “We need to be considering how we can turn our accumulated skills and battle scars into something of real worth for the runners circling behind us,” he writes.
He ends each chapter in prayer. What if pastors and leaders sincerely prayed Wolgemuth’s prayers? They fit the need. They offer a method of responding to today’s issues in ministry.
“We need to be considering how we can turn our accumulated skills and battle scars into something of real worth for the runners circling behind us,” — @robertwolgemuth Share on XIn his book, Wolgemuth provides real and doable goals. What should pastors do, then?
1. Remember we are running a race of many laps
This life is to be lived with the long run in mind. Especially now, for those nearing the finish. We are not in this for a quick fix. We are in this for endurance. And we must remember that. We must serve with that in mind. Not assuming the new trend will solve every problem. But realizing the God who called us can carry us through. That is the best view to have.
2. Remember the value of aging
Old age doesn’t need to be seen as a bad thing. It can be valued. It can be honored. Other cultures do that much better than our western culture. As numbers of years rise, can’t faith rise with it? Becoming among the elderly doesn’t equal being defeated. Though more often tired and unable to do all that was easy to do before, older leaders can have kind hearts, caring spirits, and wise counsel.
3. Remember the joy of mentoring
This is the main take-away from the book. Who is following you? What are they learning from you? We are running a race of many laps. In Wolgemuth’s language of athletic competition, motivation, endurance, and teamwork, his hope is that readers will remember who’s next. Not for ourselves. But for those we can train to run long after we’re gone.
“Though more often tired and unable to do all that was easy to do before, older leaders can have kind hearts, caring spirits, and wise counsel.” — @CMaxMan Share on X4. Remember why we do what we do
What is the true purpose for why we do what we do? We often focus on the what—to make us successful, to improve numbers, to raise measurable outcomes—rather than the why.
How can we be sure we remember why we do what we do? If we are living to make Christ known, we must ask the right questions. How are we living and leading? Who are we loving and mentoring? What stories are we telling and displaying? What prayers are we praying?
My favorite part of Wolgemuth’s book was chapter 9, “Running with a Limp.” I can relate. If we admit it, all of us can. This is how Wolgemuth suggests we respond to leading, nearing the end, running with a limp, hoping to mentor younger leaders: “As younger men watch you and me running our gun lap, any anxiety they may feel about getting older should evaporate, simply by watching how we’re doing it, by seeing what Christ can make possible even in our aging, diminishing years.”
Read the book. Remember we are running a race of many laps. Remember the value of aging. And remember the joy of mentoring. Remember why we do what we do. Then, we can stay in the race, fulfilling our true purpose.
For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.
Chris Maxwell
Chris Maxwell is now in his 18th year as Campus Pastor and Director of Spiritual Life at Emmanuel University. He also serves as pastor of Goldmine Church in Royston, GA, after 19 years as lead pastor in Orlando, Florida. His 12th book, Things We’ve Handed Down: Twelve Letters I Leave For You, is based on 12 books that impacted his life.
