Twelve years ago, on a brisk October day, Debbie and I left the comforts of family, friends, and country to begin missionary life in Ghana, W. Africa. Years of prayer and preparation for ministry had finally come to fruition. As we boarded the plane, thoughts of how the Lord might use us for the gospel’s advance filled us with excitement. I remember that day vividly. It’s hard to believe that was twelve years ago. Needless to say, a lot has happened in our lives since then.

Recently, I took time to reflect on some of the things that the Lord’s been teaching me over the past dozen years in ministry. I pray that some of these reflections might be an encouragement to you as well.

Lessons Learned

  1. Ministry is a divine work that can only be accomplished through divine aid. Unless the Lord is at work both in us and through us (John 15:4-5; Col.1:28-29), our work in vain.
  2. Worship, not perceived influence, is the goal of ministry. Influence is fickle. Christ is forever. Therefore, we do what we do for Jesus.
  3. The cumulative effect of Christ-centered, gospel-rooted expository preaching is powerfully transformative in the life of the church.
  4. The public and private ministry of the Word go hand-in-hand (Acts 20:20).  I love preaching, but ministry is a lot more than just proclaiming God’s Word from a pulpit in church on Sunday. It’s personally exhorting, instructing, and teaching God’s people throughout the week as well (I Thess. 2:11-12).
  5. Discipleship requires an open Bible and an open life (I Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 4:9). Paul sums this up beautifully in 1 Thess. 2:8: “Being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”
  6. Gospel grace empowers loving patience, habitual tenderness, and plodding perseverance in the face of daunting discouragements.
  7. Impulsiveness can ruin much good. Even though it often masquerades itself as zeal for righteousness, impulsiveness is a deadly vice that can cause deep hurts in the body of Christ.
  8. Friendships are essential to joyful ministry. Experiencing the promise of Jesus in Mark 10:29-30 has been one of richest blessings I’ve experienced in ministry.
  9. Sustainable zeal can only be drawn from the well of rich theology. John MacArthur is right: “What you believe about God, the gospel, and every major truth addressed in Scripture filters down to every area of your life. You and I will never rise above our view of God and our understanding of His Word.”
  10. “We must not mind a little suffering” (Charles Simeon). 2 Cor. 4:8-9 is the norm, not the exception, for ministry: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” Ministerial suffering is not a pointless evil, but a necessary tool the Lord uses to refine, mature, and prepare us for fruitful service in His kingdom.
  11. Resting in the doctrine of God’s all-encompassing sovereignty sustains missionary endeavors. God’s sovereignty doesn’t discourage evangelistic zeal. It fuels it.
  12. The sweet companionship of a humble, Christ-loving wife is a grace beyond compare. I could have said that first, but I thought I would save the best for last!

Conclusion

It’s been amazing to see how the Lord has used the challenges, hardships, and joys of ministry to deepen fellowship with Christ. I look forward to many more lessons He has in store for us as we labor for the sake of His name.