Let them fly...

​but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
(Isaiah 40:31)

---

I want to exemplify a healthy philosophy of ministry.

Early on, I felt like the Lord wanted me for something more than just warming a pew on Sundays. Who knew what that would be all about? After all these years, some questions still remain unanswered for me:

• What changed about my "calling" because I crossed a border and had to learn a different language? In truth, what is expected of a "missionary" (a word not found in the Bible) is pretty close to what God is looking for in all of us.
• What obligates me to prepare the next generation of spiritual leaders while many pastors get to move on or retire, praying that God give the church wisdom in seeking and calling someone to take their place?
• For some, as long as they are filling the pulpit, any potential threat to their job security needs nipped in the bud. What’s that about?

"For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord."  (1 Thessalonians 3:8)

I have discovered that there are few things that refresh my bones like having people around me who are more enthused, more talented and more spiritual than I am. There are few things, if any, that I do well. It is a wonderful gift of the grace of God: how he brings people to me who fill the gaps, complement me, and push forward the ministry in ways impossible to me alone.

Jealousy makes me no bigger than King Saul. By clinging to my pulpit, assuming the role of the authoritarian with the last word on nearly everything, protecting my turf, squelching the initiative of others, all I will accomplish is bringing the house down around me.

"I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority."  (3 John 1:9)

Diotrephes was a loser. I wish he had been the last to have appeared on the scene and not one of the first.

Watching people who eagerly want to serve and use talents I only dream about having... well, where do you find the words to describe that! The body is being edified like it could never be with just my teaching and efforts.

I look back at my own immaturity, mistakes and pride, and marvel that the Lord still allows me to occupy some small place in the work of his kingdom. Why should I be reluctant to cut loose newer, less experienced disciples? They need their own space to learn, to blow it, to pick up the pieces and try again. If God did not walk away from me after some of the stupid, hurtful things that I have said and done in the ministry, why would I think that he will not tolerate imperfection in those coming after me?

What a shame: I think sometimes we have eagles that just want to learn to fly... but they cannot seem to break free of our tether.

At some point, even Paul lived vicariously through the lives of other believers... and it was an enriching experience. You have to wonder about those vacant pulpits... if someone missed out on some of the best stuff because they left too soon and forgot about their main purpose for being there to begin with.

God gave Moses a Joshua. He gave Paul a Timothy. I can think of no greater gift to my ministry: somebody standing fast in the Lord coming along behind me... now that's living!

"For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord."  (1 Thessalonians 3:8)


(re-posted from 1.23.2010)

---