Regaining the Joy of Ministry, Part 3
From Voice magazine, May/June 2016. Used by permission. Read Part 1, and Part 2.
We Rejoice Because of the Growth of Others
Imagine standing before a newly planted tree. For the first several years, we see rapid growth; but after a number of years, the tree seems to stop growing. In the first few years, we could measure the height of tree and measure the growth by feet. But as the years go by, the rapid upward growth slows and even seems to stop. Year after year we look at the tree and see little, if any, growth. However, reality often differs from perception. What we perceive to be the periods of little growth is actually when the tree grows the most. The greatest growth in the volume of board feet comes when the tree becomes so large it no longer appears to be growing.
So it is with the spiritual growth of people. When a person first experiences the redemption of Christ, the transformation is both dramatic and highly visible. But as time goes on, it seems as though people become stagnant with little growth occurring. However, what we fail to realize is that God is still at work within the individual.
Discussion
Can America Experience Another 'Jesus Movement' Before the End Times?
Body
2 Chronicles 7:14…”we need to pray for another spiritual awakening of the United States”
Discussion
Regaining the Joy of Ministry, Part 1
From Voice magazine, May/June 2016. Used by permission.
You started ministry enjoying the calling given by God to those who shepherd his flock. You enjoyed communicating God’s Word each week. You fell in love with the people. Every week you rejoiced that God would enable you to give your life to the very thing you love.
With time, however, the struggles mount and the discouragements continue such that ministry soon moves from a joy-filled activity to little more than a duty thrust upon you. You begin to see ministry as merely a task to perform rather than also a privilege and calling from God. While Paul saw ministry as a gift graciously given to him (Ephesians 3:7), when going through trials in ministry you begin to wonder if it is a curse. You soon lose the joy of ministry. But is that God’s intent? Did he call you to do something where there is no joy in the task? Are you to begrudgingly go about the day “suffering for Jesus” with the hope that you will only experience the joy of Christ in the eschatological future?
Discussion
The Good Old Days
I realize that I’m older than most of the others that are in this group and that my memories of the fundamentalism of 30 years ago seems like ancient history to them. I remember filling the Amphitorium at BJU for the World Congress of Fundamentalism meetings and Bible Conferences. I remember GARBC and FBF annual meetings that required large venues to accommodate the attendees. When I realize that those days are gone, I ask “why?”.
Discussion