Dear Pastor,
I wonder if I might remind you of the simplicity of ministry?
Notice, I did not say the “ease” of ministry.
Ministry can be over-complicated by demands, worries, fears, etc. Ministry is often weighty and challenging but at its core ministry ought to be simple.
“How”, do you say?
Let us remember that:
“ultimately ministry is about being present with God and with people.”
- We are to share the goodness, love and righteousness of God in what we say and how we live.
- We are to listen well, show compassion and offer grace to the broken, hurting, lonely, sin-soaked and lost.
- We are to clearly verbalize the Word of God, including His gospel, His promises, His commands and His warnings.
There are books upon books about how ministry should or could be done. There are podcasts, and blogs, not to mention debates and arguments. Respective pastors and ministries sometimes even seem to compete in what they each consider the “best” ways to minister to people.
But may you and I be reminded that at the end of the day, if we are spending our time with God and people, showing kindness and compassion through word and deed, and freely declaring the full gospel of Jesus Christ, we are doing what we are supposed to do.
If your church doesn’t engage in the same ministries as the church down the street, if you aren’t as “cool” or “engaging” or “relevant” as the pastor next door, and if you aren’t as creative or bold or eloquent as others, that really doesn’t matter.
Just be present.
Be faithful.
Love.
Witness.
Pray.
And let God be Savior,
let God be Lord,
and let God get the glory.
Pastor Encouragement 