Pitfalls in Ministry
Some people are called to be patient and non-aggressive within their evangelizing, while others are called to be forward and outspoken. What we must realize is that only God has the power and authority to offer a plan of redemption to anyone. He does this according to His perfect will. Therefore, whatever tactics the Lord reveals for us to use in our approach to ministry/evangelism, we must understand that we are not more or less able to be effective. To say that our ministry technique is more or less effective than others, then we are saying that we play a role in saving souls. And we don't. Only God, Himself, has that power!
It sometimes seems that we, as humans, put too much into being the best instead of being who God wants us to be. Why put a number on the lost that we have led to the Lord and then go around comparing that number to other persons or ministries. Of course it is a glorious thing to plant a seed within someone in hopes that they might know the truth, but only the Lord can make that seed grow.
Say someone is called to spend their whole life preaching God's word to a tribe of pygmy cannibals, in the deepest parts of Brazil's rain forest. And, before that person dies (no, not by being eaten), his/her efforts bring a whole community of 31 people to receive salvation. Then another person is called to lead crusades across the world, packing in huge stadiums, and in turn, bringing 3,675,012 people to Jesus. Which of these two are better? Neither! They were both fulfilling God's will. At the same time, some are led to be on the forefront, delivering the message to the lost and others are led to build and edify the body of Christ. Who is better? Neither! Both groups are fulfilling God's will.
In other words, if we let pride tell us that our evangelizing is more effective, or if we let doubt tell us that our evangelizing is less effective, then we are transferring ourselves from God's will and plan for our ministry.
There is a vast variety of people on this planet with different backgrounds and cultures, just as there is a vast variety of ministering methods and approaches to reach out to these people. The main key is to remain faithful to the message being delivered, and this is done through disciplining ourselves to the reading of scripture (including books that might help elevate our study like: commentaries, reference books, bible dictionaries, etc.) and seeking the will of our supreme Father through prayer. Another important factor is to be constantly seeking ways to enhance our God-given talents and abilities, natural and spiritual, so that whether God calls us to be laid back, openly unreserved, or even both at the same time, then we'll be ready.
So, with all this in mind, seek truth and wisdom while discerning the Heavenly Father's excellent will. Also search diligently to edify those around you as compared to the breaking down of those around you.
Continue to remember this: our chief purpose is to glorify and enjoy God (1 Cor.10:3, Ps. 73:25), and our chief mission is to minister to those around us (Mk. 16:15) in loving submission. (Eph. 5:21)
The Old Testament tells us about when Moses got called to a ministry (Exodus 3: the ministry of leading the captives out of bondage), the Lord tells Moses that He is concerned with His people’s suffering. He then says, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." (Ex. 3:10) But Moses, instead of agreeing to obey the Almighty's command, makes excuses by informing God about his personal shortcomings. At one point (Ex. 3:11) he questions the Lord by saying, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" In other words, "What kind of authority does a nobody like me have to do such a great task?" And Jehovah replied, "I will go with you."
Are you making excuses? If God is calling you to a certain area in life, are you saying, "I'm not good enough" or "I'm too good for that?” Better yet, maybe you’re telling God, "don't put me there. I wanna be over here".
At first Moses was telling God that he wasn't worthy. But, in the long run, he decided to obey the Lord and move forward in the knowledge that it is God who makes us and any of our efforts worthy.
"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow." (1 Cor. 3:7)
So go forth, committing yourself to excellence in all your communications, also committing to fashion your own lifestyle to duplicate the very message you represent. And as “Dirt” would say (and I'm writing this, so I am saying it):
"Breathe deep, and seek peace!"
It sometimes seems that we, as humans, put too much into being the best instead of being who God wants us to be. Why put a number on the lost that we have led to the Lord and then go around comparing that number to other persons or ministries. Of course it is a glorious thing to plant a seed within someone in hopes that they might know the truth, but only the Lord can make that seed grow.
Say someone is called to spend their whole life preaching God's word to a tribe of pygmy cannibals, in the deepest parts of Brazil's rain forest. And, before that person dies (no, not by being eaten), his/her efforts bring a whole community of 31 people to receive salvation. Then another person is called to lead crusades across the world, packing in huge stadiums, and in turn, bringing 3,675,012 people to Jesus. Which of these two are better? Neither! They were both fulfilling God's will. At the same time, some are led to be on the forefront, delivering the message to the lost and others are led to build and edify the body of Christ. Who is better? Neither! Both groups are fulfilling God's will.
In other words, if we let pride tell us that our evangelizing is more effective, or if we let doubt tell us that our evangelizing is less effective, then we are transferring ourselves from God's will and plan for our ministry.
There is a vast variety of people on this planet with different backgrounds and cultures, just as there is a vast variety of ministering methods and approaches to reach out to these people. The main key is to remain faithful to the message being delivered, and this is done through disciplining ourselves to the reading of scripture (including books that might help elevate our study like: commentaries, reference books, bible dictionaries, etc.) and seeking the will of our supreme Father through prayer. Another important factor is to be constantly seeking ways to enhance our God-given talents and abilities, natural and spiritual, so that whether God calls us to be laid back, openly unreserved, or even both at the same time, then we'll be ready.
So, with all this in mind, seek truth and wisdom while discerning the Heavenly Father's excellent will. Also search diligently to edify those around you as compared to the breaking down of those around you.
Continue to remember this: our chief purpose is to glorify and enjoy God (1 Cor.10:3, Ps. 73:25), and our chief mission is to minister to those around us (Mk. 16:15) in loving submission. (Eph. 5:21)
The Old Testament tells us about when Moses got called to a ministry (Exodus 3: the ministry of leading the captives out of bondage), the Lord tells Moses that He is concerned with His people’s suffering. He then says, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." (Ex. 3:10) But Moses, instead of agreeing to obey the Almighty's command, makes excuses by informing God about his personal shortcomings. At one point (Ex. 3:11) he questions the Lord by saying, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" In other words, "What kind of authority does a nobody like me have to do such a great task?" And Jehovah replied, "I will go with you."
Are you making excuses? If God is calling you to a certain area in life, are you saying, "I'm not good enough" or "I'm too good for that?” Better yet, maybe you’re telling God, "don't put me there. I wanna be over here".
At first Moses was telling God that he wasn't worthy. But, in the long run, he decided to obey the Lord and move forward in the knowledge that it is God who makes us and any of our efforts worthy.
"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow." (1 Cor. 3:7)
So go forth, committing yourself to excellence in all your communications, also committing to fashion your own lifestyle to duplicate the very message you represent. And as “Dirt” would say (and I'm writing this, so I am saying it):
"Breathe deep, and seek peace!"