Gone are the days when people held the office of ministry in high esteem and utmost sacredness. Much thought and preparation preceded such a commitment to serve the Lord. No one remotely considered ministry as an opportunity to satisfy their selfish ambition, the monasteries and nunneries were spaces of selfless, sacrificial service and missionaries who travelled to remote villages, leaving all their comfort behind were prepared to pay the ultimate price in the service of the Master. But what do we see today: a jostling for power, positions and the acquiring of possessions, the messengers appearing to be greater than the One who had commissioned them, many with fancy titles and executive positions bringing shame and disgrace to the name of Jesus, many serving God in public but bowing to idols in private, many serving God for their belly and the list goes on about all that ministry has become, one wonders what God thinks about it all.
People have said that only a select few may take part in ministry, but ministry is service, and God expects all who have surrendered their hearts to him to be His hands and feet in this world. People revere some spiritual leaders, hold them in high esteem, and almost worship them as if they share a unique relationship with God, unlike the rest of us. Many have chosen not to hear God for themselves, as they depend on certain people to direct their next steps. People even prioritise the words of certain pastors above God’s word. Our landscape is dotted with places of worship designated as God’s presence, but what if God has long departed? We assume that the larger the following, the bigger the cathedrals and the frequent prophecies might all be proofs that God is with such a one but what if God is not a part of these?
the good news is we have all been called to minister, both within the church (equipping the saints with our spiritual gifts, talents, and resources) but also outside the four walls of the church (rerouting many heading to hell who don’t yet know Jesus). The effectiveness of our ministry is often a reflection of a personal and functional relationship with God. Giving what we don’t have isn’t possible, and trying to do so would leave us frustrated and exhausted. We haven’t been called to be or do everything; different parts of the body serve different function and the earlier we discover our lane and run in it, the better. We should avoid hurrying to change others when we have not changed ourselves. Lots of people in ministry might have run out of the crucible of transformation while God was not done yet, and the church today reflects the abrupt and incomplete process of what God’s Spirit seeks to do in us. I’m truly grateful to God for the opportunities he has granted to serve on several ministry teams, and here are some of my reflections.
1 Fancy titles and executive positions.
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4.12.
We’ve been told that unless you’ve got certain titles and several letters behind your name, that we can’t serve God. Many people save money and pay a lot to earn several theological and seminary certifications before they receive a rare opportunity to serve God. And don’t get me wrong, there is value in developing the talents God has entrusted to us and getting specific training if you are exploring particular missions fields or unreached people groups but waiting to speak Hebrew or interpret Greek biblical texts or read the Bible from cover to cover before you share the gospel is ridiculous.
Paul encouraged Timothy not to allow anyone to put a lid on his steam because he was young. And by extension, we could replace the word ‘youth’ with several things… don’t let anyone limit what you want to do for God’s kingdom because of your age, gender, race, socioeconomic status, education, or pedigree. Instead, we have been called to be an example, an encouragement, and a witness. Our lives may be all the ministry people might see God; what will their conclusion be? And while many are waiting until they have so much to serve God, guess what, God can use your pot of oil, jar of flour and basket of five loaves and two fish to accomplish His purpose. We don’t need fancy titles and executive positions to be an example, an encouragement or a witness for Jesus. Sadly, many of those who carry an air of importance are knee-deep in insecurity, looking for props to be relevant.
2 Serving God for their belly.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16.18
A few years ago someone who worked for us requested for his pay before the end of the month which was unusual and when asked if there was an emergency, he explained that his eldest brother had recently opened a new church but ‘things were not really moving’, his younger sister had just got married and was settling down and everyone was looking up to him to raise the funds to resolve the emergency. I haven’t forgotten that phrase. Not everyone is serving God to fulfil God’s purpose. Sadly, many are looking for an avenue to serve their personal needs. If the possessions of more has not enabled us accomplish more for God’s kingdom, what was its purpose? God has not promised us a life free from trouble, but if we’re serving him only for our comfort, what’s the purpose then?
Many have forgotten that freely we have received and freely we should give, but we are quick to quote the verse about the labourer being worth their hire. If Jesus is our example, why is our comfort the most important consideration when serving God? People want to be paid to serve God; everyone’s looking for how much they can make while they can. For the One who gave his all for us, we should give our all for him, but for some, God must sort out their personal needs before they serve him. Paul says not everyone is serving the Lord Jesus Christ. The prosperity gospel teachers have deceived many by their motivational and inspirational speeches, preaching another gospel and when life gets rough and tough, many of these fair-weather members abandon ship and no longer want to follow the Lord.
3 Serving God in public, bowing to idols in private
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7.22,23
I often get frightened when I read these verses because if you think that those who did such astounding wonders while employing their spiritual gifts will wallow in hell someday, what hope is there for many of the regular, ordinary church members? The oratory and eloquence of certain people can easily deceive us, as can their high-sounding words, the sheer number of sermons preached each year, the books written and translated into several languages, and the massive impact of community projects. These things make us question how people who do so much for God can remain so disconnected from him. I recently learned that it is possible to ‘work for God’ and not ‘walk with God’, and I suggest that might be the problem with this group of people. While one is an external show-biz posture, the other is submitting to the internal work of God’s Spirit.
How is it possible for someone to be healing people and raising the dead while having affairs with members of your congregation? How can you be praying for hours in deafening decibels but be engaged in questionable business ventures? How can you host outreaches in several communities but violently abuse your spouse? How do people keep their masks on in their double life, switching from one mode to another day in and out? And before you think there might be big or small sins, we’ve all missed the mark with God and need his mercy and forgiveness but the wilful awareness that you are knee-deep in sin, ignoring the conviction of God’s Spirit and continuing to enjoy the pleasures of sin while serving in a public office is frightening. No wonder many churches are bereft of the supernatural power God promised. The enemy knows our names are written in heaven but is happy as long as we remain double-minded, secret and ineffective witnesses for Jesus.
4 Selfless, sacrificial & secretive service
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. Psalm 51.17. But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word. Isaiah 66.2
Something happens to our priorities and perspective the longer we linger at the cross. I struggle to understand how some people who are quite frequent at several church events every week, listening to so many sermons, taking part in several prayer meetings but end up acting and behaving worse that those who do not know the Lord. If all we’re doing isn’t changing us to become more like Jesus, then are we not just wasting our time? If we claim to be following Jesus but our lives are not becoming like him, are we really following him or someone else? Not everyone in ministry is offering a selfless and sacrificial service. Many are comfortable serving God on their terms or when it’s convenient. Others are unwilling to go the extra mile unless you cajole or appeal to them. And one wonders what has changed since we met Jesus.
A broken spirit is not the same as a broken heart. A broken spirit is a broken will, no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. God leads and we follow; we don’t dictate to God what he must do before we serve him. A broken spirit is also a humble and teachable one, not insisting on its own way but whatever will bring God glory. A poor and contrite spirit is not necessarily a person bereft of the riches of this world but someone who won’t exalt their will and plans over God’s, but a repentant spirit constantly returning to the cross, looking afresh at the price Jesus paid and committing to live for Jesus no matter the cost. When a prophet came to a town in Israel, everyone trembled because they knew the prophet had brought an urgent word from God. But when someone preaches God’s word today, how many of us respond to God’s Spirit’s conviction by adjusting our lives in obedience? And it feels strange that many who claim to be in ‘ministry’ lack some of these qualities, and we’re raising a generation with the same traits.
5 Burnout, compassion fatigue, self-care
Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11.28. Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. Mark 6.31
If we have surrendered our hearts to the Lord but are still striving in our own strength, are we really following the Lord? Do we need to prove to anyone that we’re serving the Lord? Do we need to take on more than we should because we feel guilty no one else will serve the Lord? When people say they are in ‘full-time’ ministry, what does that really mean? Does God expect us not to nurture and nourish other aspects of our lives? When I begin to feel exhausted, I remind myself that there are ‘7000 who have not bowed their knees to Baal’ and instead of taking on more, I’m praying for these soldiers slumbering in comfortable pews to receive a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit to arise and work too. There are people who consider a personal retreat, vacation or holiday with their family a taboo. Yes, we must work while it is day, but Jesus encouraged his disciples to come aside and rest. When last was it since you’ve gone away and alone for a time to retreat, refresh, and recharge with God?
Our service to God must be from a place of rest and not of striving. We have been called to go into all the world and preach the gospel. God has not asked the world to go to church; he has not asked us to take on the heinous task of building cathedrals or basilicas. The conviction and conversion of anyone are outside our scope of work. But the church continues with its plethora of events from sunup to sundown, doing more than its fair share of work. The other day I was reading again about Elijah, who was presenting maladaptive symptoms of depression, exhaustion, and suicide ideation all at once. The Bible is silent about any instructions from God about offering the sacrifice where God sent fire from heaven and killing 850 prophets of Baal single-handedly. And because we can do something doesn’t imply that God wants us to do it. Elijah had no team; he sent his servant away at some point and was isolated. Many in ministry are wrestling with demons that even their family and friends have no clue but continue to project a mask that all is well when it isn’t. Many are afraid to take a break or delegate their roles to others, and you wonder when they will take a break before they break down.
6 God is Still At Work, No one and no situation is beyond the redemption of the cross.
God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? Hebrew 2.4
With the church in the news for so many unpleasant reasons, it’s easy to assume that God has abandoned us, but he has not. Jesus said, the gates of hell will not prevail but he didn’t say they will be quiet and content. The church has an enemy that is relentless and aggressive. If he won’t get us to lose our faith, he’ll tire you out or keep us busy with irrelevant issues, ashamed and unavailable to be a shining light for Jesus. Thank God, the enemy has no control over us unless we cooperate with him by giving him a foothold in our lives. The good news is God is still at work, and many are repenting and returning to the Lord. There are several testimonies of many who were once under the bondage of the enemy, whether addictions, oppression but are finding freedom and deliverance. Many who have never heard the gospel for several generations are hearing the gospel in their own language on their doorstep. Many missionaries are taking the risks for eternity and going to far-flung corners of our world and testifying of people holding in their hands the Bible in their own language for the very first time.
And this is why we are not ashamed of the gospel; it is still the power of God unto salvation to them that believe. No one and no situation is beyond the redemption of the cross. There is nothing too hard for the Lord. We don’t have to wait until a Sunday sermon to preach the gospel, right where you are, at the bus stop, in the car park, outside a shopping mall, at the airport waiting for your flight, there are several opportunities to plant the seed. Someone somewhere has not yet heard the gospel, and even those who go to church have not heard the true and complete gospel. Sadly, today might be someone’s last opportunity to hear the gospel. Let’s ask God that we will be at the crossroads, willing and available to lead them to the cross. God is still at work. Recently, I’ve heard strange testimonies about how some people heard the gospel and why they have decided to follow Jesus. And when people say they are retiring from ministry, that’s very scary because you wonder what else they must be doing with their lives if we consider that there is a season of our life which isn’t used to serve the Lord. God is still at work in the mundane and the miraculous if we keep our eyes open.