Last week a friend asked me: “which section of scripture has had the most profound affect on you as a church leader?”
There are two:
Matthew 9:35-38 “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
This part of scripture never fails to remind me of why I serve in full-time ministry.
In this passage, Jesus had just finished a full day of ministry. Prior to verses 35-38, he healed a paralytic, called a tax collector to ministry, debated theology with the Pharisees, restored a bleeding woman, and raised a dead girl back to life. It had been a full day, but the day was not done.
Moved by the great needs before him, Jesus looked upon the crowd with compassion and said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” As I read Jesus’ words, I understand His message. Seeing the needs of those before me evokes compassion and reminds me of why I serve in church leadership.
Some time ago, I sat down to counsel a couple that I was scheduled to marry. In our meeting, the woman began to open up about the pain that previous relationships brought to her life. As she began to let her guard down, she openly shared the current challenge she faces in trusting her fiancé and her fear of trusting God.
As I sat in that meeting, Jesus’ words took on flesh. “They are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
In my life I have found nothing more fulfilling than being one of the ”workers in the harvest field.” Those words fuel and direct my life.
The other passage that has a deep impact on me as a church leader is found in James.
James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Throughout the last 13 years, I have learned through many experiences the importance of perseverance in ministry.
Though learning perseverance can bring pain and leave scars, I have found that it is during those trials and testing of my faith that God has nurtured my resolve to serve him with even greater fervor.
Consequently, my first response to hardship or trial is no longer, “Why is this happening to me?” Instead, I have learned to respond to challenges in life and ministry by asking a question: “What are you teaching me now, Lord?” I would be lying to say that this is an area of mastery in my relationship with God. I am learning to understand God’s definition of joy as he lovingly allows me to grow deeper in faith through trials of many kinds but yet never leaves my side.