Why Am I In Ministry?

This morning I was chewing on some leadership nuggets that I was reminded of last week in Branson as John Ed Mathison shared his heart at the General Baptist Minister's Conference. One of his challenges was to never forget WHY I am in ministry.

Why am I in ministry? As time goes on the answer to that question can become cloudy. I think in the beginning the answer is crystal clear most of the time, but over time we may lose our way. We may get distracted from our true purpose. We may lose the power of our original motivation. We may grow weary in the rigors of the ministry trenches.

For some, the answer to this question has become, "I need to provide for my family." For some it is, "I want to climb the presbyterial ladder." For others it is, "I want more notoriety." For some, there is no clear answer.

During those times when our answer changes, the answer can become deceivingly virtuous to some and downright greedy for others. I believe the answer to that question is the single most important litmus test for anyone who serves the church. Whether it is your vocation or your volunteer ministry, the answer to that question determines the success of your ministry, the longevity of your ministry, and the eternal significance of your ministry. Of these three determinations only one is of true importance....eternal significance!

You can have a "successful" ministry. You can grow a large church. You can create a thriving youth group. You can mastermind a great club for people to be a part of. You can make lots of money. You can have huge buildings or huge budgets, but is the ministry eternally significant.

You can serve the church for decades. You can serve in multiple capacities. But is the ministry eternally significant? Is the ministry making a difference?

Why am I in ministry? Eternal significance should be the answer to that question. Any other answer to that question should lead you to believe that your heart is in need of an overhaul. As Dr. Mathison said...we exist to do three things: Reach, Teach, and Send.

We make an eternal significance when we reach the unreached...not when we recruit from the already recruited. Eternal significance happens when we win the unbelieving soul to Christ, when we turn the unrepentant heart to Christ, when we give purpose to those who lack their purpose.

We make an eternal significance when we teach the reached. Eternal significance happens when babes in the faith become students of the teacher, when the child takes on the characteristics of the father, when the consumer becomes a contributer.

We make an eternal significance when we teach the reached and send them out to reach the unreached. Eternal significance happens when the reached begin to teach, when the unloved are loved, when the broken are healed, when the lost are found....all through a vicious cycle....Reach, Teach, Send....Reach, Teach, Send.

Is this cycle happening in your ministry? If not, why? Could it be the answer to that question, "Why am I in ministry?" Do you really want to make an eternal significance or is it something else? The answer lies only within your heart. Search it.