When Keeping a Promise Is the Ministry

Balancing ministry and family is one of the hardest — and most important — things we’re called to do. Eight years ago, I made a promise to my son at Copper Canyon in Mexico, and just recently, I fulfilled it. That moment taught me something deep about leadership, fatherhood, and ministry itself.

A Promise at the Edge of a Canyon

My family and I were visiting Barrancas del Cobre, home to one of the longest zip lines in the world — 2.5 kilometers across a massive gorge. My wife and daughter were buzzing with excitement, and I was, too… until we found out my son wasn’t heavy enough to ride.

I wanted to go. Badly. But instead, I looked at my son and said, “If you can’t ride it, I won’t either. We’ll come back when you’re big enough to do it together.”

That was a promise I didn’t take lightly. Even when my wife and daughter came back raving about their experience, I stuck to it. And then, nearly a decade later, my son reminded me of it.

“Dad, remember when you said we’d go back to Copper Canyon?”

So we did. Over spring break, we returned. He was taller than me now. We rode not just the big zip line, but all seven. We rappelled down cliffs, climbed back up, and rode that breathtaking line together. The adrenaline was incredible. But the real moment wasn’t the ride — it was the look in his eyes when I kept my word.

The Ministry of Follow-Through

That trip reminded me of a truth that often gets lost in our schedules: our greatest credibility doesn’t come from our preaching. It comes from our follow-through. Promises kept build trust. Promises broken chip away at it — especially with our kids.

Psalm 145:13 reminds us:
“The Lord always keeps His promises; He is gracious in all He does.”
As spiritual leaders, we reflect the character of a God who never breaks His word.

And research backs this up. A 2017 study in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found that children’s emotional security and social trust are deeply influenced by whether parents keep their promises. It’s not just about parenting — it’s about ministry in the most personal sense.

Don’t Sacrifice Your Greatest Disciples

Ephesians 6:4 says,
“Do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”
That takes more than just rules. It takes presence — physical, emotional, spiritual.

Sadly, Barna research shows that many pastors’ kids feel like they’re competing with the church for their parents’ attention. If we’re not careful, we end up sacrificing our most important disciples — our own families — on the altar of public ministry.

I haven’t always gotten this right. There are moments I’ve missed. And I carry some regret. But that’s why this fulfilled promise meant so much. It was about restoring trust, strengthening our bond, and living out faith, not just preaching it.

Keeping Promises Is the Ministry

If you’re a pastor feeling the tension between family and ministry, hear this: keeping your promises to your family isn’t a distraction from ministry — it is the ministry.

Because in the end, what you model will outlive what you say.

So be encouraged. You’re doing incredible work. God placed you in your church and your home for a reason. Stay strong, be present, and keep your promises.

You’ve got this. And I’m cheering for you.