Pulpit committees, church nominating committees, and pastoral staff searching for workers of every sort are looking for “qualified” servants. They consider many attributes – education, experience, specific skill sets, personality, etc. Sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to match a position with qualifications. In that struggle, leadership often loses sight of the single most indispensable qualification for ministry.
In Mark 3 we find Jesus overwhelmed with ministry needs. He pulls away from the crowds and retreats into the mountains. There He handpicks twelve followers as ministry partners “that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.” He qualified them by spending time with them. Preaching followed time alone with Jesus.
Nothing matters more for a servant of God than to spend time alone with Jesus. How can we tell people about Jesus if we are not intimate with Him? The best Sunday School teacher is the one who speaks from time spent alone with Jesus. Quarterlies do not impact people. Instead it is the person who wields the lesson after discussing it with Jesus.
In the search for a pastor or lay leader, the most important part of the interview is learning the person’s testimony and plan for time alone with Jesus. Jesus does not require an extensive list of degrees or accomplishments for ministry – He does require time with you. Servants do not neglect your time alone with Jesus – it is your most important task. The blessing for us is that it is also the best part of serving.
No comments:
Post a Comment