Integrity Over Influence: Building a Ministry That Lasts

Based on this sermon by Pastor Marcel Gaasenbeek at the Grace Alliance conference

“God is actually very interested in the rest of your ministry life.” – Pastor Marcel Gaasenbeek

In a time when pastoral burnout, moral failures, and leadership scandals dominate headlines, Pastor Marcel Gaasenbeek offers a timely and piercing reminder to those called to spiritual leadership: start strong, but finish stronger. Speaking to a room full of pastors and leaders, his sermon isn’t just a motivational charge—it’s a call back to the heart of ministry.

A Prophetic Wake-Up Call

Drawing from 1 Kings 9, Gaasenbeek retells the moment when God appeared to Solomon after the temple was built. God’s message was simple but sobering: walk like David—with integrity and uprightness—and your leadership will stand the test of time. But if not, even a divinely consecrated temple could fall.

Fast-forward to Jesus’ day, and the warning had come to pass. The temple system had failed. Why? Because leadership strayed from David’s model and God’s instructions.

Three Leadership Pitfalls

Pastor Marcel identifies three modern dangers that echo ancient failures:

1. Money at the Center
   When ministry decisions are guided more by budgets than by God’s voice, we drift from divine purpose. “You cannot serve both God and Mammon,” Jesus warned (Luke 16:13). Financial stewardship matters—but it must never master us.
2. Self at the Center
   Ego-based leadership poisons teams and distorts purpose. Just like the disciples who asked Jesus for seats of power while He spoke of the cross, we, too, can prioritize status over sacrifice. Jesus responded, “Whoever wants to become great must be your servant.”
3. Replacing God at the Center
   Perhaps the most dangerous of all—placing ourselves where only God belongs. When we take credit for spiritual results or crave control, we risk stepping into idolatry. Peter’s humble words to Cornelius ring out: “Stand up. I am only a man myself.”

Returning to Servanthood

The antidote to these dangers is modeled in Jesus Himself: servant leadership rooted in love. He washed His disciples’ feet—not out of weakness, but from strength. “Now that you know these things,” Jesus said, “you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:17).

Pastor Marcel reminds us: the greatest leaders are not those who climb the most stages, but those who stoop to serve. Like Peter, who learned from his mistakes and eventually led the early church in power and humility, we are called to rise—not in prominence—but in purity.

A Ministry That Lasts

This message isn’t one of condemnation. It’s an invitation to realign. To lead from identity, not insecurity. To view success not by crowds or clicks, but by faithfulness and fruit that lasts.

Let this be a turning point. Whether you’re early in ministry or decades in, the invitation is the same: build like David, lead like Peter, and follow Jesus. With integrity and uprightness, your ministry can leave a legacy that honors God and blesses generations.

📝 Reflection Questions:

• Is my ministry centered on God’s presence or personal ambition?
• Are financial concerns driving my decisions more than faith?
• What is one area I need to surrender to lead with more integrity?

📖 Recommended Scripture Readings:
1 Kings 9:1–9, Luke 16:10–13, Mark 10:42–45, John 13:12–17

🕊️ Want more leadership insights?
Subscribe to our free membership plan to get instant access to teachings and downloads