Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 3-008 (Leadership Issues)

YOUR MINISTRY – REACTIONARY OR TRUSTING?

by Siu Fung Wu

Typical issues in ministry ————————–

Christian leaders face many challenges today. Some typical ones that weary us are: Slow pace of growth in new Christians; lack of commitment in older Christians; low attendance in worship services; rising occurrences of marriage breakdown in the congregation; and decline in weekly offering.

It is easy to become reactionary in these situations. Our sermons start to target specifically those who lack in zeal. New programs are created with the aim to accelerate new Christians’ growth. We preach repentance and revival in an attempt to “wake people up”. The pre-marriage counselling program is enhanced. Special teaching material is prepared with the intention to address the issue of financial giving.

None of these is wrong in itself. Indeed these are the right response if they are carried out after much prayer and careful consideration. However, there is an underlining issue we need to first consider, and it has everything to do with trusting God and the people he has entrusted to us. Do we really trust that there is a great potential in every Christian to blossom? Do we believe that God can do what seems impossible to bring forth that potential?

Trusting God and his people —————————

Not every new Christian grows as quickly as we want. Sometimes it is not so much the distractions and worries of this world that hinder their growth. Instead, it simply takes time for a person to discover the exceeding joy and unshakeable security one has in Christ. We need to trust God that his Spirit will work in their lives. It took years for God to work on Jacob’s life, didn’t it? When God has chosen someone for his own, he will continue his good work of character training.

It is true that often Christians lack the unswerving commitment that a disciple should have. However, it is also true that many believers do love God dearly and would love to serve God whenever they genuinely can. There are seasons of weariness where the best Christians are reluctant to take on responsibilities. We can either judge these people as showing signs of backsliding, or trust that they will take the next opportunity to serve God (when they have been refreshed by the Holy Spirit).

Often we ask people to trust God because we ourselves do not trust him. We ask our congregation to give more financially and trust that God will provide for them. But in fact we make such an appeal because our faith in God had wavered in view of the declining weekly offering.

At other times we rely on our own effort to protect our flock. More teaching on family life in the face of rising marriage problems is probably a necessary measure. But this should not be done simply because we think that a program can replace the work of God. The ultimate key to a strong marriage is the couple’s commitment to God as the true head of the family, and the power of the Spirit who enables us to love sacrificially.

God trusts us and empowers us —————————–

Someone rightly pointed out that Jesus did not found a church as such (not in the way we understand it today). Instead, he left it to his disciples to form a community of people who loved him and enthusiastically shared the gospel to the hurting world.

Indeed Jesus trusted his disciples enough that he did not leave behind any books or other tools to ensure that the church would grow. Rather, he relied completely on them – despite their weaknesses and many faults – and on the Spirit who was going to come upon them.

Similarly pastors need to trust the potential of their flock despite their failures and shortcomings. More importantly, we need to trust the Holy Spirit who alone can do God’s work of life- transformation and mind-renewing.

We need to have confidence in God – just as the apostle Paul did – that he who started a good work will carry it to completion (Phil 1:6).

Keep preaching the Scriptures and caring for people —————————————————

So what do we do in the face of the problems we mentioned earlier: Lack of growth among Christians; low attendance and offering; marriage breakdowns?

The best approach may well be to stick to the basics. Keep preaching the Scriptures. Continue to care for people and accept them as they are. Design a teaching program that covers all major areas of Christian living over a year. Prepare study material and run special events to cover specific issues as required (but not to do so as an over-reaction to circumstances).

By keeping to the basics we are in fact putting our faith in action. We are saying that the Scriptures indeed have the power to transform lives. We are declaring the power of love that Jesus has shown us. And we are demonstrating our trust in people who, over time, will respond to the Word of God and the empowering work of the Spirit.

Trusting does not mean we should blindly believe in everyone and everything. Nor does it mean that God will fix everything for us without our own involvement. But it is a calculated risk to believe in the potential that God has invested in every believer. Uncalculated risk is nothing more than a risk. But calculated risk saturated in prayer is a step of faith in a faithful God.

Let us not be reactionary but trusting. A reactionary ministry may bring short-term result, but a trusting ministry will yield lasting fruit.

– Siu Fung Wu <> (JustCHARIS Ministries)