Motivations

I have been blessed, to be in the ministry about sixteen years. I have enjoyed over 10 years in Dodge City. I think it is fair to say I have learned a lot of things about the church and ministry. I have learned some of these lessons the hard way and continue to learn them through the fire. Here is a list of a few items I have learned over the years. For me, this is a short list of the truths I believe should motivate a local church. Here it goes with little or no commentary: 1. It is all about the glory of God and the advancement of God’s Kingdom. 2. The gospel must infuse everything we say and do. 3. This is Jesus’ church and He will build it. 4. There is one God and I am not Him (and I am fairly certain He is not a member of any church I have pastored.) 5. The church is made up of sinful selfish saints. 6. Our natural tendency is always to focus on the inside of the church. We must continually force ourselves out of our comfort zone and look externally to reach others in Jesus’ name. I am reminded of a quote by C.S. Lewis, "In the same way the Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose" 7. Each one of us must give an account of everything we do and say in this body. Everything will be tested by fire. Therefore, live well. 8. Heaven and Hell are real eternal destinations and must motivate us to communicate the gospel to everyone and with urgency. 9. Our Sunday gathering is our primary time of corporate worship but not our primary area of spiritual transformation. The primary place of transformation must be in self-feeding and small groups. 10. Prayer fuels the work of the church. Prayerlessness is sin. Here is one extra one to consider: 11. We must stop making converts and do what Jesus commanded: Make disciples! What do you think? I would love to hear what motivates you in ministry? If you are a lay person, let me know what you think. This is in no way designed to be an exhaustive list. The focus is more about the church and not ministry as a whole. Let me know what you would add.