When the Fire Fades: What to Do When You’re Stuck in a Mid-Ministry Crisis

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.  – 2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV

I remember it all too well. I sat in my office trying to plan my preaching calendar for the coming year. I sat there staring at the spreadsheet of dates and all I could do was stare at it. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Not a single fresh idea was coming to mind that I felt would impact my congregation. I had spent time praying and seeking discernment from the Holy Spirit on what God wanted to do at our little church. I had read several passages of Scripture looking for inspiration for a sermon topic that would resonate with people in the community. Still nothing.

I told my wife that I felt like I had run out of words to say. Everything I came up with seemed like a rehash of everything I had already preached. You might call it writer’s block or being stuck in a rut, but the reality was that I had hit a plateau in my ministry with this congregation, and I didn’t quite know how to get unstuck. It was going to take me more than two weeks of preparation to get my planning done this year.

Maybe you’ve experienced a season where you felt like you were going through a mid-ministry crisis—a time when you didn’t feel burned out or exhausted, just flat, out of new ideas, and struggling to ignite the passion you once had for preaching and disciple-making. In this article, I want to help those of you who, after several years in ministry, are feeling like you need a shot of spiritual adrenaline to get on fire again.

What Is a Mid-Ministry Crisis?

This isn’t about a moral failure or walking away from your calling. It’s not even classic burnout. A mid-ministry crisis is more subtle than that—and in many ways, more spiritually disorienting. You’re still functioning, still showing up, still preaching, teaching, visiting, and leading—but the joy, vision, and clarity that once fueled your work feels like it’s flickered out.

Common Signs You May Be in a Mid-Ministry Crisis:

• You feel uninspired in sermon prep or discipleship planning

• You sense diminishing impact from your leadership and preaching

• You’ve lost emotional connection to the church’s mission

• You begin comparing your church or ministry to others more often

• You question your long-term fit in your current role but aren’t sure why

Why It’s More Common Than You Think

If any of this sounds familiar, you are far from alone.

Most pastors will, at some point, experience a prolonged season of disconnection or disillusionment—not because they’ve failed, but because ministry itself is cyclical and deeply human. Leading a congregation is demanding work, and over time, the emotional, spiritual, and relational toll can catch up with even the most faithful servant.

Add in the ever-changing landscape of church culture, aging congregations, post-pandemic uncertainty, and a growing sense that what worked a decade ago isn’t working now—and you have a perfect storm for feeling stuck.

The good news? God isn’t finished with you. And this “crisis” may just be the holy invitation you didn’t expect.

Five Healthy Ways to Respond When the Fire Fades

1. Name It Without Shame

Don’t pretend it’s not happening. Say it out loud to a trusted friend, mentor, or spouse: “I feel like I’m drifting.” This is not a sign of failure—it’s a sign that you’re ready for growth. Naming it gives God space to begin healing and reshaping your heart.

2. Reconnect with Your First Love

Return to the basics. Not sermon prep, not leadership training—just Jesus. Reignite your personal time in the Word—not for output, but for intimacy. Preparing a weekly sermon is not personal Bible study. Reread the Gospels. Journal your prayers. Ask God to remind you why you said yes to this calling in the first place.

3. Take a Strategic Pause

If your schedule and board will allow, consider a short sabbatical or at least a preaching break. Even just a few Sundays off from the pulpit can create mental space for renewal. Use this time for spiritual retreat, personal assessment, or reading that refreshes rather than instructs. I typically had a guest preacher come in at least four times a year when I wasn’t on vacation, just so I could be preached to. And on that note…

4. Invite Fresh Voices In

Sometimes the best way to shake off the dust is to learn from others. Attend a different church one Sunday. Join a small coaching cohort. Read books or listen to podcasts outside your usual circle. New ideas don’t replace your calling—they often revive it.

5. Dream Again—But Smaller This Time

You don’t need a five-year megachurch strategy. Start by asking: What’s one new thing I feel excited about doing in the next 30 days? Maybe it’s launching a weekly lunch Bible study, visiting every shut-in, or hosting a creative prayer night. Let God birth fresh vision in manageable pieces.

This Season Isn’t the End—It’s a Threshold

A mid-ministry crisis is not a sign that you’ve run out of calling. It might just mean that you’re being called deeper. I’m mindful of Elijah hiding in a cave looking for God to speak. It was in the still small voice that God touched Elijah’s heart.

In seasons like these, God often does His best work—not through rapid growth or visible success—but through slow, holy re-centering. If you feel like the fire has faded, don’t walk away from the altar. Let God rekindle the flame.

You’re not alone. And you’re not done.

Stay encouraged, and stay connected.

If this article resonated with you, I’d love to hear your story or walk alongside you. Visit www.smallchurchcoaching.com to connect, or join the conversation in our private Facebook group Leadership Edge for Smaller Churches.

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And if you know another pastor who might be in this season, share this article with them—it might be the nudge they need to take the next faithful step.