JOY OF CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

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One year I coached a Babe Ruth Baseball team of Middle School students. The competition was tough that year, but my team won the championship game. When I started the practice season, I practiced the boys hard. One of my star players came to me at the beginning of practice one day and said: “I am thinking about quitting, because this isn’t fun anymore. You practice us too hard just like our coach does at school. I just want to have fun and this isn’t fun anymore.” I understood; I lightened up; we had fun and we won!

Within the writings of the Apostle Paul there are several priceless statements of his approach to ministry. I especially value 2 Corinthians 1:24 (ESV): “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.” Many in the church at Corinth were spiritually immature, self-willed, slanderous, fleshly, worldly and divisive. The Corinthian letters expose serious problems and Paul’s own heart wrenching struggle to defend his apostolic calling. In the immediate context Paul affirmed his own faithfulness to his calling and even to the congregation that met in Corinth. It’s clear in reading Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1:15-24, that he upholds his own promises to the church because he honors God’s own faithfulness to His promises in Christ. God is sovereign; but none of us, even Paul, are in control of the circumstances that may change when and how we fulfill our promised calling. When all is said and done, I hope to be able to join with Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8, ESV).

In the meantime, I want to embrace God’s faithfulness in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit; and affirm my own promise to my calling for the sake of Christ and his kingdom. At times I must preach or write things that are hard on the church; just like I must instill into my children the seriousness and value of life, choices and work. But I am not the enemy of the church I love, for any perceived dissent is truly a loyal critique for our progress in the kingdom. Yet there have always been influential Christians in congregations who undermine the work of their preacher in the shadows; until they feel enough support to incite a supporter to test their agenda. Indeed, Corinth often plays itself again and again in churches. I feel great empathy for my brother preachers who experience what I am talking about. Most all fellow preachers I have met are good, with a heart love for Christ and people, and they genuinely want to bring joy into their congregations.

Yes, we do work with you for your joy; and we really want the work to be “with you”. God has surrounded me with many encouraging relatives, friends and fellow Christians throughout my life and ministry. Certainly, there have been foxes and wolves. When these have cornered me, I have learned by experience the comfort and faithfulness of God. If not for God and for so many encouraging and supportive people, I would be a defeated and bitter man. Instead, even in discouraging times I look to the near future with hope, and try to stay faithful to this purpose and promise: “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith” (2 Corinthians 1:24, ESV).

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Filed under Calling, Church leadership, Ministry

Tags: Calling, chrisitian ministry, church ministry, Faithfulness, joy, Ministry, preaching