Last week we explored a few myths related to holiness. We saw how the average Christian doesn’t see himself or herself as a saint, or a holy person. Our vocabulary reflects this. We distinguish among ourselves with labels like believer, Christian, disciple, or saint. A believer is someone just learning to believe in God. In contrast, a saint is someone who has excelled in faith. But in the Bible there is no such hierachy. We are all believers and saints. That is our identity.
We also saw how many Christians have become satisfied with their own currentlevel of goodness. Unfortunately, we set standards for ourselves that fall way short of the holiness that God requires. What's more, many Christians look within themselves to become righteous instead of trusting in Christ’s righteousness. Imagine what good would comeif we accepted our identity as saints, strived for the very holiness of Christ, and trusted Christ to transform us from the inside-out.
Ministry is loving people.
This week we explore part two of the holy man myth. This second part will explore a number of myths related to ministry. Before we get into these myths, let's start with a simple definition of ministry. Ministry is loving people. Ministry is doing to others as Christ would do unto them.
In John 13:34 (NIV) Jesus says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Love is an umbrella concept. But love, or ministry, is always specific and action oriented. In the Bible love expresses itself in many practical ways. First, love builds relationships. The Bible speaks of accepting one another, greeting one another, honoring one another, having fellowship with one another, offering hospitality to one another, andbeing humble, gentle, patient, kind, and compassionate to one another.
The Bible speaks of a love that restores relationships. For example, we are to be forgiving one another, confessing sin to one another, living in harmony with one another, agreeing with one another, not judging one another, and bearing with one another.
The Bible speaks of a love that enhances relationship. This includes actions such as instructing one another, teaching one another, admonishing one another, encouraging one another, praying for one another, giving to one another, serving one another, and bearing one another's burdens.
From start to finish, God’s vision is that the Church flourish as a loving, ministering community. Tragically, this vision gets derailed by a number of ministry myths, or false beliefs.
Mythnumber one:Ministry is for the minister.
Tell me what you think when hear the following words.Plumber, secretary, carpenter, nurse, accountant, manager,minister. Now, finish this sentence, "I am a ..." Raise your hand if you are a nurse, stay-at-home-mom, student, police officer, teacher, troublemaker (I wanted to cover all my bases here). How about this, raise your hand if you are a minister. Now take a moment to look around at how few hands are raised.
This, my friends, is one of the Church's biggest problems. We see ministry as an occupation ora job for a hired person. The myth is that ministry is for clergy just like plumbing is for plumbers. The average Christian doesn’t see himself or herself as a minister. Think of it this way. Our limited concept of ministry excludes 99.9% of the body of Christ! The body is left on the sidelines while the clergy take the mantle of ministry.
A quick survey of scripture quickly dispels this myth. The Bible teaches a concept called the priesthood of all believers. Quite simply, every one of us has been charged to serve others in the name of Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV) says, "As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 2:9-12 (NIV) says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV) describes the role of clergy this way, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
This is the wrong question. How well is the minister performing at doing ministry? This is the right question. How well is the body performing atdoing ministry? This is the wrong question.Did the minister show up? This is theright question.Did the body of Christ show up? Was the body equipped to minister in love?
Myth number two: Ministry is mostly what you do.
We put great deal of emphasis on what we "do" as Christians. We proudly say, "I am a greeter, an usher, a teacher, a nursery worker, a vocalist, an elder, or a church member."For many, ministry is a job, a task, or a duty.
When I began ministry, it was quite perplexing. I was always asking, "What should I do in this situation?" I found that people would gladly tell me what to do! But in time, I became robotic. Ministry felt artificial. I was going through the motions, doing what I thought everyone wanted me to do. There is a much better question every one of us ministers should ask ourselves. We should instead ask, "Who should I be in this situation? How can I be true to God and to myself in this situation?"
Ministry is about who we are, and not just about whatwe do. It is about being. It is not just a matter of the function you serve, or what utility you have to the body. Ministry must flow from a heart of love and be spirit-enabled. Ministry cannot be reduced to a task list, or be forced.
These are thewrong questions. Are you a greeter? Do you hand out programs? Do you hold the door open?This is the right question. Do you love people?This is the wrong question. Do you sing? This is theright question. Do you have profound love for God? Ministry cannot be an empty, heartless pursuit. Ministry must be real and authentic!
Consider Titus, who is spoken of in 2 Corinthians 8:16-17 (NIV). Here was a man who showed enthusiasm and great initiative in loving other people. Paul writes, "I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative."
Or consider 1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV) with its carefully stated commands to love, show hospitality, speak, and serve. Are we to only go through the motions of service? Absolutely not. This passage says, "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Myth number three: Ministry is on my timeline.
This myth is most common. We believe that we can conveniently squeeze ministry into our schedule between television, recreation, work, school, sports, and family priorities. We believe that we can relegate ministry to one to two hours on Sunday morning. This is the wrong question. Do I have time left to serve God and love people?This is the right question. Do I have time left to watch television, recreate, or clean the yard?
Consider the example of Epaphroditus, in Philippians 2:25-30 (NIV). How convenient was ministry for Epaphroditus? Well, he nearly died serving Christ while others refused to show up. "But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me."
Myth number four: The greatest ministry is at the church building.
We will explore this myth more fully next week. But in general, we put too much focus on creating jobs at the church building. Don't get me wrong. There are many important tasks to be done at church. But the Church exists to serve the world that God loves and Christ died for. When you survey the Gospel of John you can quicklydiscover the answer to this question. Where did Jesus spend 99% of his time? Christ didn't serve in a synogue or temple. Jesus was at the lake, in homes, hanging out with sinners, or walking the roadways. He was out where people were! When Jesus did show up at the temple, it was usually bad news for everyone gathered there.
This is a good question related to ministry. Does pastor have a job for me at Church? The answer is probably yes!But this is a tougher question.Does God have a purpose for me in the world? Our greatest mnistry lies just outside the walls of this church building, not within.
Myth number five: Ministry is for my advancement.
Matthew 16:24-26 (NIV) says, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Ministry requires self denial. We must die to self interest and die toa desire for self advancement. This is a wrong question.Will I be noticed?How will this benefit me? This is a great question. How can I put God’s love on display?