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| A Word to Ministers Everywhere |
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To the outsider, or the ignorant, or the immature Christian it looks as if being in a position of ministry responsibility is a position of power where the shots are called, control is taken, commands are given, and glory is received. Nothing could be further from the truth!
The ministry is a place of lowliness, submission, longsuffering, faithful thankless service. Yes, there is power in the ministry, but it is God's power, not ours to wield as we will. It is His power that brings about effective spiritual change. The Apostle Paul' word from God was "My strength is made perfect in weakness." Humility is the absence of pride, to make yourself lower, not pretending to be important. Christ was the ultimate example of humility and meekness.
Phillipians 2:5-8 says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (or something to be held on to to be equal) but made Himself of no reputation, (He emptied Himself of His priviledges) taking the form of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."
Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many."
Jesus was Selfless! He did not think equality ( position, stature) was something to be grasped or held on to. He was God! Yet he humbled Himself and laid aside His glory and became a man, and not just a man but a ordinary baby! Isaiah 53:2 "For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground, He has no form (stately form), or comeliness (splendor), and when we see Him, there is no beauty (appearance) that we should desire Him. Jesus didn't come as a King, with pomp and circumstance. He was not handsome and good looking, probably not "Head and Shoulders" above others, no there was nothing about Him that we should desire Him.
That is a far cry from what we see in our ministries today. It is all about looking good, looking successful. It is all about self promotion. We push and manipulate our way to the top of the food chain in the church so that we might be recognized, so that we might have influence over the direction of the ministry and I know that it is disgusting to God! Today's society has bred an "all about me" mentality! What's in it for me? Why should I? Does it help me? Does it promote me? Is it worth my time? Jesus was totally selfless to the point of saying, "Lord if there is any other way, please...but nevertheless, not my will but YOURS be done. John the Baptist had it right when he said of Jesus, "He must increase and I must decrease."
Jesus was a servant of all! Philippians 2 says that He took the "form of a bond servant" a slave. He was not a hired servant in the likeness of a butler or a waiter, but rather He was a slave and He gave up all His rights to do His Father's will. A servant is available and disposable. Have you ever played Chess? A servant is like a Pawn piece. He is expendable and disposable, but under the right circumstances very powerful! A servant's purpose is to do His master's willl and a servant finds his purpose in fulfilling the Master's will.
Oh, for the church to be full of servants. Ones who say, "I am available," ones who say, "Here I am Lord send me." Ones who do not love their life unto death, but are willing to loose their life for the sake of the gospel. It should never matter to the servant if he ever gets noticed. In fact the best servants are the ones that go unnoticed. They do their job so efficiently, that it becomes taken for granted. Take me for granted Lord, have your way with me! Pour me out as a drink offering, this should be the heart's prayer of every servant of God. The ones who are greatest in the Kingdom of God is the ones who are servants of all.
Jesus was submissive. He was "obedient unto death." Don't you find this ironic and amazing? The Creator of the universe becomes like the created and then suffers at their hands. Jesus placed His will under the authority of His Father. Even though He was equal with God He still submitted to the Father's will. A rebellious servant and a servant with a mind of his own is useless to His master and is usually punished or executed. Yet, Jesus was obedient to His Father's will, even though He knew it was a difficult task to lay down His life.
Where are the submissive servants in the church today? The leaders in the church undermine the authority of the Pastor, they plot and scheme to get ahead. When asked to serve in a menial task it considered an insult. Why do we think we can lead others when we haven't learned how to follow? I have seen a lot of ministers who are not willing to humble themselves and submit to a Pastor go off and start their own church or own ministry. Only find that they attracting people just like themselves. May we be more like Jesus and submissive to His Father's will.
Finally, Jesus was sacrifical! We see that Jesus was obedient "Unto death." Mark 10:45 Jesus "gave His life" John 10:18 Jesus speaking of His life said, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." Jesus is the good shepherd and He gives His life for the sheep. Jesus is our example He gave of Himself, totally, completely, unreservedly for us.
Where is the agape love? Where is the sacrificial kind of love among our ministry leaders both layity and clergy? We may not be asked to literally die for someone else, but we sure can crucify our flesh and put our own wants, needs, and agendas aside for the greater good and for the glory of God. Ministry is not about "us" and what we can get out of it, rather "ministry is about Him and them the people." It is about time for us to demonstrate the kind of love Christ demonstrated for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. It is my prayer that each of us, will learn and practice sacrificial love like Jesus. |
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| To add a comment to "A Word to Ministers Everywhere" |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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AMEN brother. I hope more step up to be servants, and not task-masters
When I was at Christ for the Nations, we had a whole generation of students that alot were there because they saw the $money$ and power that they could obtain. I left the school, when one of the classes was on "how to dress for tithe". was teaching the students that they have to wear the right tie, right shoes, and how to give the proper sermon. Way to many of them graduated and are now in the pulpits... this was back in the late '80s |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| Wow! I don't doubt that in the least! I know this makes God want to vomit! Thanks for the encouraging word! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| Todd, great blog! I love to read about the greatness (humility, meekness, love, etc.) of our Savior. It touches my heart so! |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| Mike, me too. What a wonderful Savior..what is man that thou art mindful of us? |
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| April 28, 2008 |
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| I've asked myself that many times...who am I??? |
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| April 29, 2008 |
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| this really speaks to me.......over the years we have went to churches on and off.....one of the biggest turn offs we had with a church was the pastors wife.......and some with people who would look down their nose at you and made sure you seen them do it......that is why i am so glad that i found Healing Waters.....because everyone makes you feel welcomed, it doesn't matter if you been going for a year or if it is your first time, you feel loved, and that is what makes new comers(especially sinners) feel accepted, there is someone that cares for them, i do belong here......and that is what it is all about, bringing souls into the Kingdom |
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| April 29, 2008 |
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| Yes, Jerita we have found a special place, and just think you, and Sam help to make it such a loving fellowship. |
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| April 29, 2008 |
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| Great blog todd, you have hit the nail on the head. |
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| April 29, 2008 |
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| Amen! Amen! Amen! It is so wonderful to be able to serve with you & Anna & to know that our hearts & ears hear the same from the Father! It is truly only about Him & His purpose to see a harvest of souls saved! My father has always said," The ground is level at the foot of the cross!" God also has shown me that when He wants us to go to the next level, that it is not about getting earthly recognition. It is only taking us up the hill to where the cross is (probably because we started sliding back down) & to die more to self so we can be more effective in God's kingdom & have more compassion for the broken, hurting & the lost. May the Lord bless you for standing up for the truth!! |
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| April 30, 2008 |
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| Evangelist: Thank you, for reading and for your encouragement. It's all about Jesus isn't it?
Rhonda: Maybe I should write a blog about how much you mean to me and Anna. Thanks for your kind words, and we are so happy that God brought us together to serve. If we can help you guys in any way let me know. Love you! |
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| May 20, 2008 |
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| Todd, I was in full-time ministry, but judging by your words I cannot measure up to the task. I am too selfish, too weak, too unfaithful. It is a calling worthy of a true hero. Blessings! |
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| May 20, 2008 |
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Grant, I was in full-time ministry too, but was crucified and put to an open shame. I think you can measure up, and you can be strong and lead. Yes we are weak, but that is the beauty of it. These are ideals to strive for. Follow Christ the best that you can and let the Holy Spirit do His work in you. Nobody is perfect even ministers. However, I know a lot of ministers that are not servants, and are not submissive, and wouldn't sacrifice for others and those are who I am talking to. I don't know you all that well, but you seem sincere. Sincere enough to admit you are not perfect. That is someone God can and use mightily. Humble yourself in the sight of the LORD and He will lift you up. Yes, the ministry is a High Calling, but these values are no different for ministers than for any Christian.
I am glad you left a comment, sometimes I wonder if anyone reads these things. I glad you did, as I admire your keen mind. |
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