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Week Two - The Ministry
What does it mean to "surrender to ministry"? If you are like most people, then for you the word ministry brings with it images of pulpits and baptistries, libraries and seminary, mission trips and offerings, weddings and funerals. Why? Because those who move most visibly in and around such places and events are those whom we have formally named "ministers." We categorize them according to their duties: Minister of Music, Minister to Students, Minister of Education, Minister of Administration, Children's Minister and of course, Pastor, which we know means Minister of Everything. Our consistent use of such titles, while certainly appropriate and generally accurate, may be what encourages questions such as, "What ministry are you going into?" when we really mean to ask, "Where is it that you are going to carry out ministry?" It may also lead some to believe that ministry is something only a select few believers are called to carry out. Read all of Hebrews 11 . Write in your journal the names listed and any words or phrases that are repeated throughout. Hebrews 11 records the stories of men and women who were used by God for His purposes. Their submission to God influenced eternity. Go back through and mentally list the best you can the occupations and/or titles held by these people. How many of them would hold the title "minister" in today's society? If not a title, what enabled the ministry these men and women had been given by God? Faith. In our churches today, we refer to the ministers on our church staffs collectively as "clergy" and to all other church members as "laymen." The word "laymen" comes from the Greek word "Laos." One denotation, or definition, of the word "Laos" is "a people…who are of the same stock." The "Laos" of the church, then, are the "people of God," making the term "layman" an affirming and empowering name that all believers should be pleased to be known by. However, most believers have never heard this definition, and, over time, for whatever reason, the word "laymen" has taken on a slightly less encouraging connotation, or implied meaning, hinting that "laymen" are, in fact, somehow less qualified to carry out ministry or they are of a lesser station than "clergy." By the same token, the use of the word "clergy" to describe paid ministerial church staff, to us may connote, or imply, that the person being described is somehow more qualified to carry out ministry or of a more important station than "laymen." However, one denotation, or definition, of the word "kleros," the Greek word from which we derive the word "clergy," is actually "a portion of the ministry common to the apostles." "Clergy," then, are those who oversee a portion of the ministry that is ours as believers such as the apostles did. So, we see the original terminology for grouping members of the body of Christ actually suggests that "clergy" are a subset of "laymen," or a group within a group, not necessarily more qualified to carry out the ministry of all believers or more important than other believers, but instead unique in their assignment to oversee and equip the people of God, or "laymen," for that ministry. Because of this specialization, members of the "clergy" carry a load of responsibility on their shoulders that many of us would not desire on our own, earning them respect and admiration that is certainly justifiable. Whether carrying out the ministry of the "clergy" or "laymen," all believers are called to the ministry of Jesus Christ, their faith enabling them to be used by Him. Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you. What ministerial titles exist within your church or churches? How have these titles influenced the way you view your calling? Describe your thoughts and feelings as you read the explanation of the terms "clergy" and "laymen."
How is God speaking to you today? What is God teaching you about ministry? Review:
So, what is the ministry of Jesus Christ? Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost." What was the ministry of Jesus Christ? How did He accomplish it? If our ministry is the ministry of Jesus Christ, and He has already become the sacrifice for sin so that man can be reconciled to God, then what is left for us? Following the event of Jesus Christ's obedience, God has passed the torch to us, so to speak. He accomplished the means for man to be reconciled to Him, and it is ours to become His ambassadors. An ambassador has at least two major responsibilities; to communicate effectively in the stead of the party whom he/she represents and to embody the ideals and principles of the party whom he/she represents in such a way that important matters can be discussed, dealt with, and decided with clarity and confidence. An ambassador is sent with all the authority of that party, making the position of ambassador one of high honor and responsibility. This is the ministry of every believer, given at salvation (2 Corinthians 4:1 ). Though the daily tasks that each of us carry out may differ, we are all ambassadors, sent to point others to Jesus Christ and the reconciliation that He made possible. Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you. What are your thoughts and feelings about being a part of a ministry shared by all believers? Reread the description of an ambassador and his/her responsibilities, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 . Does that describe you? Explore your thoughts, feelings, and questions.
What is God teaching you about ministry? Review:
If we are to be Christ's ambassadors and represent Him well in whatever daily tasks God has given us as individuals, we must follow the example He lived for all of us, in action, in word and in attitude. It's so easy to get caught up in the persona of ministry and miss the attitude of ministry that Jesus demonstrated. Sometimes, the respect and admiration we express to those whom we formally recognize as ministers, our church staff, missionaries, and a few others, can be distracting to those just beginning to explore the ministry aspect of God's call. Often the ministry of Jesus Christ will not earn you pats on the back and encouraging words. In fact, most often, you will meet the same type of response Jesus did. His life was not all clamoring throngs and grateful hearts. Most often, it consisted of persecution, abuse, and betrayal. His majesty, grace, and mercy were lost on most people of His time, especially those who had known Him the longest. Yet, He continued in His ministry, setting an example of humility. He could have set Himself up to be worshipped during His lifetime, and it would not have been arrogance for Him to do so. After all, it is not arrogance to enjoy what you rightly deserve, and Jesus is God. Yet, He not only forfeited His rights as God, but made the extra effort to lower Himself even further to the position of servant and a humiliating death. Be careful that you never allow yourself to be motivated by the response of man, but instead focus on imitating Christ in humility, being content to be received as He was, and pleasing your Heavenly Father (Galatians 1:10 ). As your church staff and others in ministry will tell you, the adoration and affections of people are fickle and fleeting, while the joy that comes from knowing that you have been obedient to God in any given matter or task is satisfying and eternal. Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you. Reread Philippians 2:1-11 . What words, phrases, or ideas stand out to you? Why? As Christ's ambassador, are you reflecting His attitude to those around you? To those who know you best? To this point, what have you envisioned a life of ministry to be like? How did you expect others to respond to you? Has that changed?
What is God teaching you about ministry? Review:
Jesus was an example to us not only in attitude, but also in action and speech. The power in ministry is not in title, position, or authority, but in love. Love compels (2 Corinthians 5:14 ). Love draws men toward God (John 12:32 ). If your sincere objective in ministry is to lead men to reconciliation with God, love will be your method of operation, and you will demonstrate that love in humble servitude to others as Jesus did. There are many ways to reach goals and bring about results within the arena where God places you to carry out ministry; but powerful, effective ministry occurs when you do as Jesus did and serve others in love, perhaps "getting your hands dirty" and/or inconveniencing yourself in the process. Galatians 5:13 "For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love." Also, notice that Jesus did more than simply wash the disciples' feet and expect them to understand the significance of what had been done for them. Although the disciples were those closest to Jesus, they were only human and, therefore, had limited knowledge of Jesus' ministry. After all, it had not been completed yet. Jesus had to take time to explain what was happening. As Christ's ambassadors, then, we cannot simply stop at service and expect those we serve to understand what it is that we do. The human mind cannot comprehend the things of God without help (1 Corinthians 1:18 ). We, as believers, have the Holy Spirit to help us understand the things of God; but those who have not yet accepted Christ are depending on us to help them understand God's plan for them (Romans 10:14 ). We must point them toward Christ verbally, taking every opportunity to explain to them the love that compels us. If we serve without acknowledging Him who sent us, then we have possibly brought glory only to ourselves and not to God. Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you. As you read this account of Jesus washing the disciples' feet, how willing do you think you would have been to do something like that, even if no one but you knew that God had told you to do it? How would you have felt having Jesus wash your feet? How do you feel knowing that, figuratively speaking, He has washed your feet? How do Jesus' actions in situations such as these challenge you? Are you a good ambassador?
What is God teaching you about ministry? Review:
Being an ambassador for Christ is a full-time job. As Christians, we are to live as Christ not only in moments of intentional ministry to others, but even in our most private moments. Sometimes, the way that we think, act, and speak in front of others when we aren't even aware that we are being evaluated accomplishes more for or against the cause of Christ than the things that we do intentionally. Moments like these reveal our hearts to others and, for them, either confirm or deny that Jesus is who we say He is. The moments "off the stage" are moments in which profound ministry can take place. This thought should both encourage and challenge each of us. 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6 (Notice especially verses 3:18-4:1) When Moses had been with God, he had to veil his face in front of his people because God's glory had caused it to glow. Because Jesus had not yet come and the Holy Spirit was not dwelling in the hearts of all Christians, people could not interact with God on an individual level. It was a privilege reserved for a few, and those few would do business with God on behalf of others. Now that Jesus has come, there is no more "veil," or separation from God, for believers. When someone accepts Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives within that person's heart. God begins to transform that person, making them more like Christ. The change God brings about proves who He is to others who witness the change, and it brings glory to Him. Freely allowing others to witness the change that God has made in us by simply being who we ought to be as Christians all the time is as much a part of ministry as the words and deeds we schedule into our lives. When we begin to understand this aspect of ministry, pressure that we put on ourselves to constantly "do" something for God begins to dissipate. Although you must continue to serve and direct others to Jesus with your words, you don't have to create a sacrifice of "busyness"; you are the sacrifice when you let Christ live through you (Romans 12:1 ). Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you. Are you a full-time ambassador for Jesus? Would those who know you agree? How does it feel to know that concentrating on becoming like Jesus is the ministry as much as it is doing "ministerial" things? Does your intentional ministry reflect your heart? Explain. What is God teaching you about ministry? |
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