Answering the why question

I've just been asked, "Why have you devoted your life to serving the local church and what keeps you motivated?" Those are pretty dangerous questions to ask of me these days. Here, for what it's worth, is my response:

Iíve devoted my life to serving Jesus, and following him on mission. My commitment is to him primarily rather than the church. I serve in the church, but my calling isnít primarily to the church but to Jesus himself. If I am in danger of losing motivation, itís because many Christian leaders are arguing today that most churches have lost the essence of what it means to be the church. Iím motivated by the challenge of recapturing the priorities of Jesus in my life and in my church, but Iím de-motivated by the prospect of potentially maintaining an institution rather than a community thatís living out Jesusí call on all of our lives.

Comments

[George]

Hi Darryl, welcome back You said "Iím motivated by the challenge of recapturing the priorities of Jesus in my life and in my church, but Iím de-motivated by the prospect of potentially maintaining an institution rather than a community thatís living out Jesusí call on all of our lives. Can you expand on that a bit? What's the difference between the institution and the community as you see it?

[Darryl]

Hi George: Thanks, it's good to be back, even in this weather. Brrr it's cold. I've been pastoring for almost 13 years now. Most pastors can get away with maintaining the place, keeping programs going, visiting people, setting goals, attending meetings. None of this is bad, but it's not enough to make for good ministry. It is enough to keep most churches happy, though. Most churches are inward focused. I don't want to pastor to do just that. It's not that the institution is bad; it's just not the main thing. I want to pastor in a way that I'm reflecting the heart of Jesus and following what he's concerned about. I think you resonate with this, George. Does what I've said make sense?

[Rev. Mike]

Perfect sense. At least to me it does.

[George]

Yea that makes sense Darryl. Jesus's heart is all about the great commission isn't it? That's huge for us. That's what I want to be a part of now. I want to help in bringing others into a relationship with Him. And then to help in their growth and maturity in Him. I know I've said it before but I still think that is best done in the institutional church where there is more stucture. The challenge is, I think, to get the people in the institutional church fired up about their relationship with Christ so they will see their need to get involved in ministry in which God has gifted them. We start to see that happen and we see a church that can't wait to get unbelievers in through the doors so we can start showing them the love of God. Man, do we ever need that in the church today.

[Darryl]

Agreed, George. As for the institutional or established church - I'm still wrestling through that one.