This thing called "Ministry"

Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Recently I was again going through the book of 1 Corinthians in my personal time with God. As I came to this book I was somehow struck by the idea of what Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:12, where Paul writes, "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;".

Could Paul actually be glad that He was in the ministry and having to write the kind of book he wrote to such a church as he found in Corinth? So I began to go back through the book and take note of how Paul "ministered." What areas Paul used "ministry." Asking myself, "What is this thing called 'ministry?'" Now, there are many things I have probably missed and I am not intending this to become a novel or exercise in some great spiritual study, but it is a bit interesting to pick out some things and I hope you will continue to see what Scripture alludes to as the "ministry" to which Christ has called us.

The first passage of note to me was found in 1 Corinthians 3:9-10, "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. (10) According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it."

Paul points out that our ministry is one of co-laboring and establishment of the foundation of Christ. Remember Paul is dealing with a schism that is threatening the church. The issue revolved around clicks.

"I am of Apollos!"
"Well, I am of Paul."
"Humph, I am of Cephas!"
"You are just not as spiritual as I for I am of Christ!"

Paul reminds his readers that each of these men that they are looking to, even Christ Himself, is co-laboring for the cause. The challenge I received from this as a "co-laborer" is that my competition is not with those men who are working in God's field, but with the one who wants to destroy the souls of man, the devil.

The church is God's building, the field where He wishes to establish His church and the tower of truth for the world to see Christ. We are working together in this "ministry" that God has so graciously called us to so that construction and not destruction can take place. Ministry is not competition but participation.

One disclaimer here that I guess needs to be added is that I do not believe in an ecumenical approach however. For the foundation must be sure and if our Gospel is hid it is hid to those that are lost. I will not align with those who wish to change or distort the foundation, Christ. I will work, however, with any man who wishes to hold to the integrity of truth and the validity of God's inerrant Word.

Let's not forget that this thing called ministry is one of cooperation. In my first ministry I felt the strain of competition. With "good" churches all around you the sense of being a sheep stealer or a member grabber was always pervasive. You knew that if one of your members had an issue they could just show up at "Brother So-n-So's" church next Sunday and you were none the wiser. Churches merely rotated members and pastors neither sought nor encouraged restoration or resolution before accepting those strays. We are co-laborers. Since coming to Madison, I have had the great opportunity to meet some men who are striving to start and build churches in and around this city. It has been great to hear how they are seeking ways to promote all the churches that preach the Gospel in this town. God will increase our fold as we demonstrate a working love for the body of Christ. When we realize that God has each one of us with strengths and abilities that will reach some while another church across town perhaps will be better equipped to reach others. One sows, another waters, and perhaps we will have opportunity to even see the reaping, but ultimately it is God that brings the increase.

This thing called ministry is the body of Christ working as a body to accomplish locally and collectively what God has left us here to do. May God teach us to stand together and accomplish more together by praying for one another, encouraging one another, and promoting one another. Let's quit being on the defensive or offensive amongst our own, but let's stand against the one who truly wants to hinder and destroy our ministries, satan!

The Majority Wins!

Today we awake to the strange awareness that our country was not the same as it was last night. News has filled the air waves that our country has elected, chosen, and empowered its next Executive, Commander-in-Chief, and Leader of the "Free World." But somehow, in a corner of my mind and heart, I wonder if somehow we are getting a glimpse of the beginning of ends.

I am not a doomsday specialist, nor am I a poor looser. I am aware, however, that Christ is going to be returning. He is going to come back to a world that Scripture alerts us to. The Bible makes us aware that these end times will see sin as overwhelming and acceptable. Nations will be at war, pestilence and famines will be heard of from places where it apparently was not accustomed. We know that a man, an individual will arise to capture the hearts, minds, and ideals of the world.

Now, I am not, again...I am not....saying that Barack Obama is the ONE, but it is amazing that he is being described as a child of the world, a person whose identity has excited Africa and Jakarta. Muslim nations and now our pantheistic, pluralistic, post-modernistic society have found him acceptable. If this man can do that, imagine what it will be like to see "that one" do the same.

My only concern right now is what will the next four years reveal? We are facing strong currents against morality, or as some of the talk show hosts call it, ideological stands. Homosexuality, Abortion, and even the definition of marriage have taken back seats because our greed, materialism and self-promotion caused us to face the consequences with depressing magnitudes.

So, we have spoken. As a nation, one that is ever evolving, we have spoken. We have declared our wishes. We want "change." But what is that change and what will it look like in four years?

As a pastor, husband, father, and mostly, as a Christian man, I know we are in for some dire straights. For the first time that I can remember, a group of people who have adopted a debauched lifestyle were singled out in an acceptance speech by the next president of our country. What group is next?

We have our work cut out for us. As a pastor in one of the most liberal cities in our union, I have my work cut out for me. I live in the belly of Babylon, Rome, and Corinth. But I also know that God did a work even in those cities. May we as His people, the ones HE chose, redeemed, and saved, may we stand firm upon the integrity and solidarity of the Truth... The Word of God! May we pray for our president. May we pray for these newly elected officials and "leaders." May we honor those in authority and not get caught up in blasting the men, but instead let us expose the corruption of sin and lead people to see that God does still have an opinion. May we uphold the truth not as daggers, but as light. May the Light of His glorious Gospel shine forth through our churches and homes even brighter today.

Another Campaign Video - FUNNY!

Death Before Time

We have some friends who are going through a tough time in their lives today. Warren Brokering, a man not much older than myself is in his last days of enduring the trial of colon cancer. His wife and three small children have been a real testimony of how God guides and nurtures His children in times that don't seem to make sense. Warren and I served for a brief time together in my first pastorate. He will be remembered as a man with great ability to see the humor in life and also as a man who could draw attention to His God. Pray for Tana and their three little ones. Pray that God would be glorified and honored in death as well as in life. The situation reminds me of Paul's words as he speaks with the Philippian believers and he says, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:"
(Philippians 1:21-23)

Although Paul would continue to live for a time longer, the sentiment rings true. To live on this earth grants us time to express Christ with others. Our lives should be such a resemblance of His character, His grace, His conduct that those who touch us are more affected by the hand of God than by our mere human abilities. However, to die is no threat. It produces sorrow in the hearts of those we love and who truly love us, but it is a fleeting moment in the light of eternity. To die is gain. The gain of heaven, the repose of God's presence, the reality of sin removed and all of its horrible effects. My heart breaks for Tana and those children. My heart is also jealous of Warren. Not that anyone wants to face death in suffering as he has had to endure, but to be with Christ,the Savior, the hope of my eternal existence, my Lord, and my King. Warren, you are beating us to the reward! Amen!

May God grant peace and comfort as only HE can. And should death come before our presumed time, may our tombstones read of love and convictions. May our lives truly be Christ to those around us and may we find it a great gain to see our Lord. May the cares of this world not hold so tightly that we would even hesitate to want to be with our Lord.

Warren...till we meet again, my Brother!

Peace in Future Uncertainty

I did watch a bit of the debate last night between the two candidates for this year's election. Again we come to the time where fingers point and yet everyone speaks of unity and harmony. Everyone wants to prove themselves to be more trustworthy, more aggressive, more in tune with the "common folk" and more aware of the problems and their solutions than the other camp. It amazes me how politically incorrect we are becoming.

I still hold that this election is, in my humble opinion, the most important one that we have had in recent history. We face economic crisis, foreign crisis, social crisis, and religious crisis. On every front we find that our nation is being torn apart by greed, corruption, and immorality. From same sex marriages, to CEO embezzlement, we find our lives and the lives of our children hanging by fragile threads of sanity.

Now, the good news. (1 Timothy 1:17) Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. I note here that He is King, He is going to be given His glory and HE is eternally existent.

Again, Paul later goes on to say, "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time--He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen."
(1 Timothy 6:12-16)

I have no reason to fear. I may grow weary of the debauchery and the lust that fills the hearts and lives of people all around me. I may grow angry that sin and sinners seem to gain more ground while the truth of God and His righteousness seems to be suppressed and buried, but I know my Redeemer lives, that He is coming for me and one day the Just God of all ages will stand ready to establish not only His heavenly dominion, but His earthly one as well.

Let the next president come. Let the next assault on truth be waged. May we continue to "fight that good fight." May we be ready soldiers. Not with weapons of earthly warfare, but as individuals enduring the hardness, praying steadfastly, encouraging the beloved, and standing for what is Right, what is Righteous.