Excellence in...Ministry, Life and Love

OK, I really wanted to write this post last night (too tired) and was really hoping I could take or find a beautiful, inspiring photo to go along with it, like of a rainbow, or a beautiful sunset, or some other wonderful, beautiful event. But I didn't.

Sunday we had the most amazing sermon at church. Steve Shank from EMM (Eastern Mennonite Missions) gave our message, and it was WONDERFUL. He spoke with passion, enthusiasm and humor. I knew it was a particularly powerful message when I saw several teens and young adults in the sanctuary leaning forward in their seats, listening intently.

Personally, I found it very affirming for the direction I believe we should move in. Both as the church and as individuals in life.

He "titled" his message Excellence in Ministry, and used 1 Corinthians 9:24 as the Scripture.
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one get the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." (My emphasis).

So Steve gave four principles which when practiced help us to win the prize:

1. You need to care more than others think is wise.
2. You need to risk more than others think is safe.
3. You need to dream more than others think is practical.
4. You need to believe more than others think is possible.

WOW! Think about it. Love with an unbridled passion. Care as if your life depends on it. Love as if your life depends on it. Jesus did.

Compassion is the springboard for ministry. You must be willing to take a risk. Steve spoke about why the Chinese are so effective in their ministry. The answer? They know what it is to suffer. The church in the West doesn't know how to suffer. Jesus suffered.

What about dreaming? Do you dream big dreams? Do you imagine possibilities beyond comprehension? Do you step out of the boat? Do you let God out of the box?

What about Belief? Act on belief and share the reason for your belief. Life without faith (and acting on that faith and calling) is a lukewarm comfortable life of complacency. And here is what Jesus had to say about being lukewarm, "So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you our of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16). Uh-Oh. I don't want to get spit out.

So, Care, Risk, Dream and Believe. In live, in love and in ministry. I hope to get a copy of Steve's message told with incredible passion and humor and post it here at some point, if I can figure out how to do it...

Shalom.