I recently read a book called In Search of Timothy: Discovering and Developing Greatness in Church Staff and Volunteers by Tony Cooke. I want to share an excerpt from chapter four.
Many times people get so heavily involved in church work that they forget that the pre-eminent issue in life is having a personal relationship with Jesus. After commending the Ephesian church for certain positive traits, Jesus told them, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Rev 2:4). But ministry work is not a substitute for a vibrant relationship with the Lord.
Mark 3:14-15 says, “He [Jesus] appointed twelve [the 12 apostles] that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”
This verse shows us that Jesus’ initial and top priority for the disciples was not for them to preach, but “that they might be with Him.” Jesus was not interested merely in the disciples' ministry productivity; He was deeply interested in their personal development and transformation of character. Furthermore, it was the disciples' character (formed and fashioned through their interaction with Jesus) that enabled them to truly be productive in ministry. How can we accurately represent Jesus if we don't know Him?
Some people, in the process of becoming great church leaders, become lousy Christians.
Let's never let this be true of our staff and volunteers at New Day. Let's never let the work of the Lord, get in the way of the relationship between us and the Lord we are working for.
Many times people get so heavily involved in church work that they forget that the pre-eminent issue in life is having a personal relationship with Jesus. After commending the Ephesian church for certain positive traits, Jesus told them, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Rev 2:4). But ministry work is not a substitute for a vibrant relationship with the Lord.
Mark 3:14-15 says, “He [Jesus] appointed twelve [the 12 apostles] that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”
This verse shows us that Jesus’ initial and top priority for the disciples was not for them to preach, but “that they might be with Him.” Jesus was not interested merely in the disciples' ministry productivity; He was deeply interested in their personal development and transformation of character. Furthermore, it was the disciples' character (formed and fashioned through their interaction with Jesus) that enabled them to truly be productive in ministry. How can we accurately represent Jesus if we don't know Him?
Some people, in the process of becoming great church leaders, become lousy Christians.
Let's never let this be true of our staff and volunteers at New Day. Let's never let the work of the Lord, get in the way of the relationship between us and the Lord we are working for.
No comments:
Post a Comment