Sweet 16

Sixteen 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 sixteen 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 sixteen years in ministry. I pray that some of these reflections might be an encouragement to you as well.

Lessons Learned

  1. Worship, not influence, is the goal of ministry. Influence is fickle. Christ is forever. Therefore, we do what we do for Jesus.
  2. Ministry is a divine work that can only be accomplished through divine aid (John 15:4-5; Col.1:28-29). Apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Everything we do apart from Christ is nothing.
  3. The cumulative effect of 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. An encourager will never lack ministry opportunities.
  7. Impulsiveness is deadly. Even though it often masquerades itself as zeal for Christ, impulsiveness is a destructive force that can cause deep hurts in the body of Christ.
  8. What the Lord is doing in us is far more important that what it appears He is doing through us.
  9. Friendships are essential to joyful ministry. I can’t thank God enough for the gift of godly friends. Experiencing the promise of Jesus in Mark 10:29-30 has been one of richest blessings I’ve enjoyed in ministry.
  10. Ministry is always better together. Without question, my most fruitful, fulfilling seasons of service have taken place within the context of team ministry.  
  11. Prayer is war. Intercessory prayer (Col. 4:12) is the most arduous and assaulted work of pastoral ministry.
  12. You have to be patient in order to be fruitful.
  13. “We must not mind a little suffering” (Charles Simeon). 2 Cor. 4:8-9 is the norm, not the exception, for ministry. 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.
  14. The way of Jesus is the way of humble, self-sacrificing service (Phil. 2:1-11).
  15. God’s sovereignty doesn’t discourage evangelistic zeal. It fuels it.
  16. The sweet companionship of a 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

I’m thankful for how the Lord has used the hardships and joys of ministry through the years to draw me closer to Christ. I look forward to the many more lessons He has in store for me as I continue serving for sake of His name.