Everyone serving in the various ministries of the Lord’s Church will agree that we are challenged by the so-called new-normal in the church. Even though the pandemic feels like something of the distant past, we struggle to define what “the new-normal” entails.
It
is not only the scars of restrictions that still challenge church attendance
and members’ participation, but also the fault lines in society that were laid
bare by the concessions we had to make over the last years. These societal
weaknesses (from a Christian perspective) add to the complexities added to our
considerations on how to tackle another year of service to the Lord.
Some
of these perceptions within our increasingly secular societies are:
o The growing
number of those who believe that participating in serving Christ the King is
optional / unnecessary / a burden, seems to be insurmountable.
o Consumerism, hedonism,
and secularism are the roots of this huge challenge for ministers, elders and
active members who already make a difference in the survival of local churches.
o The demand for
religious entertainment instead of true worship is another challenge and those
in ministry giving in to this trend will find that they can never-be
entertaining enough.
o Smaller numbers
at worship services and smaller membership rolls can never defer or defeat our
sacred calling to share the good news of Christ with everyone.
Perhaps
we simply do not take the critical importance of ministry seriously enough.
Ministry
is another word for service and to minister simply means to serve.
The
Apostle Paul had a passion for ministry because he knew that it meant to submit
only to God for the Lord to mightily use him for God’s purposes.
We
must ask if we see serving God for the sake of the church, as a calling. Do we have
a vision and passion for serving God?
If
we long for God’s anointing on our work in the Church, for God’s multiple
blessings on what we do and for “victory” in divine terms, we need to know
that God called us and that we only are serving where and how God leads and
wants.
Paul
says: (Colossians 1:24-25) “I rejoice in what was suffered for you... for
the sake of the body of Christ, which is the church. I have become its servant
by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness”.
Our
desire to be used by God, demands that it will involve humble sacrifices and
modest servants of God where not those who minister, but Jesus Christ, is at
the centre of our work for the Lord.
If
we are going to follow Jesus in suffering for the sake of the Church, then we,
like Jesus, must be willing to pay the price required for our choice to serve,
and the price includes many personal costs.
If
we desire a life that counts for something important and makes a lasting
difference during these trying times and despite the need for innovation and
adaption, we will volunteer for duty:
o
We will step out in faith.
o
We will rediscover the biblical teaching on what faithful
ministry is and never compromise God’s (Biblical) standards.
o
We will be determined to live a life truly dedicated
to serve God and to serve others.
o
We will seek to make a difference in this world for
our Lord and Redeemer. Our lives and ministries will count for a lot. It will
touch, heal, teach, and guide people to their grace-driven purpose.
o
We will not become victims of fashionable demands by
selfish secularists and hedonists.
More
importantly, it will bring glory to God’s Name in everything we do for the sake
of the cause of Christ in the world. Even when we face the challenges of a
secularised society when we enter the fight against back-sliding,
unfaithfulness, and reckless compromise.
May
2024 become our opportunity to serve only Christ, teach the Bible-truth, seek
loving koinonia among members and proclaim justification only through faith, while
relying only on the grace of God.
May
you prosper in Christ during this challenging year.
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