*Let me say first before I explain my thought about this statement, that I do NOT have a problem with the AG or anyone in the AG. I just was telling a story, the idea was not to hurt someone’s feelings. So you don’t have to worry about that.*
Ministry is hard? Really? Many times I have heard this in my life. This statement when uttered makes my blood boil. And at times I have had to curb my tongue from spewing out rebuke to those who have said it to me.
I mean I understand what they mean. Yeah ministry can be stressful, at times it can me taxing on your spirit and emotions. But when I hear it there has always been something behind the statement. I have friends who have gone through hell in ministry. I myself have been through a number of stressful times. So yes, I know that ministry is stressful.
So here is the deal. Ministry is not hard when you see it the right way. If you realize that God is using you to spread His love and Gospel then ministry isn’t hard. Ministry is not hard when you work your butt off but always rely on God to do the work. When you begin to see that your efforts fail in comparison to what God does, then ministry isn’t hard.
I think when that statement is uttered, we need to step back and look at the Gospel. Step back and look at history and see that God is always moving and will continue to move. He is sovereign, He rules, He reigns, He conquers, and SAVES. When you see God this way, how could you say that ministry is hard?
Hope this made sense guys! Let me know your thoughts!
I semi- belong to the Assemblies of God. I say semi because I don’t have “credentials,” that would somehow validate me more as someone who has the gift of pastoring. (This is a whole other post)
But I mention the AG because this post is a story about the title of this post. When I went to the interview with the Assemblies of God I was young, maybe a little arrogant, and did not have all the answers that they wanted to hear. After talking for a while it was clear that I was not getting the credentials. Apparently I gave the wrong answer about speaking in tongues (again another post, another day…maybe.)
After that answer it was like a switch went off with the people in the room and they began to “humble” me. They told me I was young, inexperienced and proud. I wasn’t sure how they could know that after talking with me for 20 minutes, it usually takes people 9 months to a year to figure that out. ( I kid I kid, but seriously) They got very stern when they started to talk about “ministry” and then they uttered the phrase which lead me to write this…
“MINISTRY IS HARD” What? It has always bothered me when I think about this. People that are years older than me (I think the one dude was half dead I swear) seem to say this to me. These are the people who have gone before me, who are supposed to be encouraging me to do the ministry because remember they are half dead. I was amazed and angered at this statement.
Part 2 coming tomorrow… stay tuned.
Every Wednesday night I leave the church with my mind racing. Thinking of things that should have gone better, how we can improve the student’s experience, and was the Word preached?
I recently got a email from a student that broke me down. I sat and cried in my office for a half hour, thanking God that He was working and drawing students to Him. I asked if I could share it, they said go ahead. Below is the email in unedited form. I hope you can see God moving…
Okay so you know how your always blogging about your life and thoughts and Jesus and stuff like that? Well i felt like writing and ive never written about Jesus really but i kinda liked my end result and i think you’ll like it so here it is and tell me what you think… Mostly it feels like I just pray to Jesus to ask Him to help me or do things for me. And looking at it, thats not what He’s all about. I mean sure He loves us all and wants and loves to help us, but only praying to Jesus when you want something isn’t having a real relationship with Him. its like saying you have a relationship with your bank, because they keep your money safe, and you go there often, and they’ll give you a loan if you need one. Or that you have a relationship with your car company because they’ll take care of your damages if you wreck, and they have accident forgiveness. Well, JESUS IS NOT INSURANCE. He is our Savior, and way more important than many people give Him credit for.Just because you pray to Him for things to go right or help, doesn’t mean you have a real relationship with Him, which is also very important. It seems to me (at least with the people i know) that if someone has a legitimate relationship with Jesus, than they are happier no matter what their struggles are. That’s because there is an everlasting warmth in their hearts that grows stronger with every beat, and it can only be warmed by the Lord Himself. So i hope that in this coming year, im gonna better my relationship with Jesus, so i can feel that warmth that i think i’ve really been looking for.
I once read a book that revolutionized the way I approached preaching. If you were to ask my wife, I was blown away by the way the book taught you to preach. The author is widely followed and is an amazing communicator.
But in the past year a number of things happened to lead me to a change in the way I approach preaching. The long and the short of it is this: I used to think that students could not listen to or understand the Bible. Which in turn leads to preaching shallow messages and attempting to create emotional environments in hopes to bring about some sort of life change. Having a dynamic speaker, lights, cameras, videos, cool graphics, and smoke machines will not bring spiritual life change. Those things just add to a students already emotionally filled life.
I have since changed the way that I am approaching preaching. Preach the Gospel always, contextualize the scriptures but not to the point where you leave out the Gospel. I have stopped worrying about having a “cool” stories and started worrying about if I am preaching the scriptures correctly, accurately and practically. Basically I have taken a weird unconventional approach to preaching to students… preaching the Word.
Novel idea huh? Don’t know if I explained it really well but I hope you get what I mean. If you don’t ask a question, I will answer.
How are preaching to students, I would love to hear your approach.
I guess the answer to “how missional are you?” lies in how you see your life.
Many people live in the intention of living a missional life. In fact there is a lot of people who go out with the mind-set to be mission minded. And that is great. It’s just my opinion, but it seems like these people have some sort of switch that they turn on when they are “being missional.” They plan outreach, and are very intentional about talking to people about the Gospel. These people are great.
Then there are people who are missional, but (at least to me) go about it a totally different way.
Psalm 139 basically says that everything that happens in your life God knows, and knew and will know. So with that in mind the 2nd type of person living a missional life sees God and realizes that God knows everything. And with that in mind goes through life in a normal way aware that God is moving and has moved to predestinate their life. That means they see God and stay missional in good times and bad.
Which do you think is better? Is there on or another? For the record I think both are good, but lean towards the 2nd more.
I would love your thoughts.
Found this on Jared Wilson’s blog.
Thought it fit with my previous post and what I will bring later today or tomorrow.
The word missional is on a piece of paper that I have in front of me. It’s in a list of words that I wrote down. The title of that list is “Buzz Words.”
Seems like lots of people are using buzz words, I mean if we were honestly if you drop on here and there people think you are really smart or “in touch” with what is going on.
But really let’s talk about how missional you really are. Or for that matter how missional am I? First I think we must define the word. To be missional is to adopt a thinking and behavior of a missionary.
The traditional missionary leaves his comfort zone in an attempt to spread the Gospel and fulfill the Great Commission. I have not left the comfort zone of America, at least long term, in order to spread the Gospel. So I have to ask myself how am I being missional?
There are many ways that a person can live a missional life. I have heard people talk about how listening to music that is not Christian is being missional. You know, so that they can relate to those who listen to the same kind of music, hoping to bring up Christ in a conversation. Or going to a bar and not ordering a beer is being missional, you know… you are meeting people where they are at.
I think to be missional in everyday life we must look at the way God has designed our lives and set our steps in order. More coming soon.
Thoughts? How can this happen?
As is my habit, I thought I would drop you guys a few lines. Here is a list on what’s on my mind, feel free to comment, or tell me what is on your mind…
I love my wife! She is absolutely perfect. No you can’t have her so don’t ask, if you do I might punch you. : )
Sometimes it’s better to remain single rather than date someone who really is not a mature man or woman.
Communication is a tricky thing when dealing with church projects that have to do with construction. I am navigating this subject right now as we move into a new building.
BTW I am pumped about the future of our church! I think God set it up for my wife and I to get in at the right time.
My friend Nick is going to Haiti… maybe you would consider helping him out? Email him here.
The more I do youth ministry here at Sharpsburg Family Worship Center, the more I realize students don’t really need fluff, they need the gospel. As I look at youth ministries, I think that might be a novel idea.
I think my one dog might need to do a little more exercising… I think his excuse is, is that it’s cold outside.
I follow certain people on Twitter just amuse myself… do you?
My friend Caleb Ashton has nothing for me to link to on the web, but I wanted to say thank you for all the help he has provided with leading worship at Velocity Student Ministries.
Now you can ask me anything anytime right here http://www.formspring.me/iambendavis check it out!
You should put this blog in a reader. If you use a reader you can do that here.
Your theology will come out in your words… what’s coming out of your mouth?
Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to meet (at least in the phone) and talk to Renee Johnson. Renee has huge heart for God and making His kingdom happen on earth. She also has book coming out soon that I thought I would tell you about.
Here is the professional write-up… because it sounds better that way…
Renee Johnson is a spirited speaker and writer to twenty-somethings. She graduated from Biola University and has had the pleasure of working with the top nationally known Christian speakers and writers at Outreach Events. Her book, “Faithbook of Jesus” releases in March and has already won the support of over 30+ endorsers in the Christian community. You can purchase a copy at http://www.faithbookofjesus.com.
Her devotional blog, Twitter, Facebook, and social media reaches thousands of readers. Renee’s mission in life is to “spur others forward” (Hebrews 10:24), using the lessons learned from her own trials to encourage others in their walk with God. Sign up for weekly devotionals at http://www.devodiva.com. Learn more about Renee and her ministry at www.devotionaldiva.com.
Check her out for sure!
I never used to be really hip to the technology crowd. I have never been very techy or smart. When it came to texting a several years ago I seemed to resist, making fun of it at first. I even made up cheesy names for this generation calling them “Generation Text.”
Looking back I am a little ashamed because now it seems I can not get enough of new technology. Now when I come across someone who thinks something as simple as Twitter as lame I laugh to myself and think about how I was and how I am grateful I am not getting left in the dust when it comes to the web and technology.
My own personal thoughts now are: If you don’t care about technology, social media and advancement in these areas, then the future will not care about you.
What are your thoughts? Did you avoid the social media, technology advancement of the past 10 years? How long was it before you jumped in?
