Last week, I sat through two days of a conference. It is an annual event that I thoroughly enjoy … until this year.

This year, it hit me differently. The sermons did not touch my heart and soul like in previous years. The worship did not seem as inspiring as it usually does. The workshops did not offer the practical wisdom I needed for my ministry. The fellowship of pastors and Church leaders was devoid of the typical joy and enthusiasm.

On the ride home, I was processing my experience when a thought came to me quite clearly: Maybe the problem this year was with me.

Lately, I have been exhausted from the workload. There is never a day I don’t have a long list of things to do. This list includes meetings with people at all hours of the day. While I love these times, as an introvert, they exhaust me.

Also, Easter is earlier this year, putting extra pressure on me to focus on Church events. The most productive season of the Church is upon me, and I do not want to waste a minute of it. Soon, summer will be here, and everyone will be at the lake or the ball game. I must strike while the iron is hot.

Perhaps I wasn’t entirely blessed by the conference because of my physical, emotional, and spiritual starting point.

Why do I tell you all this? Because I think the same thing can happen to anyone on any given Sunday. Worship can seem dry and dull because of what is going on in your life. The preaching can feel lifeless and unpractical when you are exhausted. People can appear aloof or mean when your emotional tank is empty.

Sometimes, the best question is not, “What is wrong with my Church lately.” Instead, it is, “What is going on with me?” 

Your Church might be struggling right now, but it also might be a phase you are going through.