Truth, Action, Truth through action...
So back to the big questions. What then are we as Christians to do, how are we to be? And to my self (which you answer for yourself), what am I specifically to do, how shall I serve and make use of the grace, faith, and gifts I have been given by God.
I am taking a class entitled "Kingdom, Church, and World" where we have been discussing the importance of the Church witnessing to the world about the Kingdom of God through it's loving community and help for the poor, sick, etc. The fact that churches I have been part of seem to be weak in the areas of authentic community and Christlike care has been weighing on my heart. Should Mother Theresa really be an extreme example of a Christian, should not such selfless love be our hallmark. Should not one of the first words to pop into the mind of someone playing a word association game and responding to the word "Christian" be "loving or compassionate"? Sensing this error in the church in general the question then arises, well what am I to do about it?
Well, I have an assignment that helps me answer that- I have to do some kind of project where I am helping the poor, visiting those in prison etc. I do not mind such a project because I am looking forward to incorporating more of that into my life pattern.
The question is, what about after that? How does that affect my ministry? As I pursue the pastoral ministry, will my ministry look like mother Theresa, spending my life with the hurt and suffering? If you are still reading, hold this thought for a moment while I introduce another person who has influenced my understanding of personal ministry and vocation.
For a few years now, I have been listening to several radio preachers and found Alistair Begg (despite his sometime Calvinistic slant) to be a great model of humility and skill in expositing the word of God. I have often felt at least part of my ministry would include presenting God's word with the conviction and love that he does. (I really wish I could have the cool Scottish accent too but that just would not be right.) Here's the thing, he preaches what I consider to be the whole council of Scripture, tackling many issues being talked about in Christian circles.
However, he hosts a boat cruise every year, where people from his church or who listen to him on the radio can vacation on the boat and hear him exposit the word. Here's my rub...I cannot see Mother Theresa taking a boat cruise. As I have been taking the KCW class, I found my self really trying to figure out if this Allistair guy is really a great model of ministry. Does indulging in a cruise render void the balance of his ministry? I could see where a Native missionary in India would have an issue with this because he is trying to find money to buy more gospel literature. Yet I could see a pastor like Allistair (who undoubtedly makes finacial sacrifices for the kingdom) seeing this as an opportunity to get some well needed relaxation, enjoying God's grand creation (Alaska), and shepherding God's people at the same time.
Today I was listening to a different radio preacher whose comments helped me a bit. He exposited the portion in Acts where the Apostles decided that instead of trying to feed the gentile women themselves, they appointed godly people to over see the ministry while they continued to devote themselves to prayer and studying the word. After the sermon, the preacher gave info for the teaching cruise his ministry was hosting.
Still there seems to be some truth here, we are a body, we need those who study God's word and give vision and purpose to guide and inspire the other parts of the body. Still, I cannot help the strange feeling I get when we sing the song, "If we are the body...why aren't these hands reaching..." We do seem to be in need of more hands and feet. I guess to some extent we all need to be hands and feet, but to some he gave them to be teachers and preachers. Can a pastor teach his congregation that helping the poor is important if he doesn't do so himself? But should he spend a lot of time doing it?
Any ideas, thoughts, or suggestions?
posted by JHW | 2:52 PM
2 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hey Joe,
Great questions and thinking. I too ponder some of the more "ostentatious" (at least at first glance) manifestations of ministry.
I guess what it boils down to for me is this. If his teaching fits in with Jesus' and his life in general acts out that teaching (knowing that we all fall short even of our own teaching), then I won't be the one to judge that aspect of his ministry. I will rather be encouraged by the power and passion of truth of his exposition.
As for your questions about a pastor teaching his congregation, etc. Those sound like rather personal and individual questions. I don't know that there is a particular answer that will do in a general sense.
I really appreciate your passion and desire to serve God my friend. Keep seeking truth and wisdom. Personally I wouldn't worry so much about "my ministry" and "his congregation" (I'm not getting into a discussion here on the proper role of pastoral ministry though we could have interesting discussion there I think, just ask my father-in-law.. :) ) or even answering many of these questions so far in advance. I believe that through prayer, meditation in the Word and heartfelt worship the Holy Spirit will reveal these answers as you need them. After all, we are His children.
There is one statement you made here that I wonder where specifically you were going: "we need those who study God's word and give vision and purpose to guide and inspire the other parts of the body".
Do you feel that it is the job only of the scholarly/professionally trained to do this? I'm not asking to cause division, but wondering as I have many times caught myself in the middle of that same train of thought.
I think it is very important to remember that the vision is provided by God in any ministry worth its salt. If the men doing the studying are the ones giving vision and purpose, it will be too short-sighted and will not inspire for long. It is only as they are more in tune with the vision of the Holy Spirit for the kingdom that real, lasting progress and inspiration will come. And it won't matter who the person in front is, what degree they have or what church ordained them.
Post a Comment
<< Home