Darryl's Blog
The Holy Spirit and ministry
From David Hansen's book The Art of Pastoring:
The Holy Spirit carries out the will of God to build the church. This is the objective truth of the pastoral ministry: the church is the work of the Holy Spirit...
My ministry isn't work, really. The Spirit lifts, gives vision, direction and power...
Pastoral ministry is not work. Pastoral ministry is riding on the free winds of the Spirit. It is catching winds that lift us to heights we cannot climb on our own. We can't stay in the air very long on our own strength, but we can seek thermals. Our soul-wings are made large that we might catch the Spirit.
We are incompetent to be ministers of the gospel. It is implicit in the call to ministry: what we attempt is impossible. We are not competent to carry out the task of gospel ministry. We are made competent by the Holy Spirit of God.
I'm thinking about how much would change if we really believed this.
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I'm wondering what Paul would think of it given his comments in II Corinthians 4, 11, II Timothy 4:8 and probably others that I cannot right now think of and which I am too lazy to look up.
Hi Ken,
"Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." (2 Tim. 4:8)
Are you thinking that Hansen's quote contradicts this passage? I'm not catching what you're saying - could be the late hour.
Sorry Darryl,
I was trusting my bad memory. I meant II Tim. 4:6-7 where he talks of being poured out like a drink offering. I think Paul would have said it was a great joy to endure what he endured but I do not think he would have said it wasn't work.
Got you. Yes, I think there's a bit of hyperbole going on there.
Perhaps Hansen was pointing out that it would be a whole lot less stressful if Pastors would rely on the leading of The Holy Spirit instead of trying to do everything on their own strength.
Even Pastors' works of righteousness are as filthy rags, whereas if they were doing what The Holy Spirit was calling them to do, they may still have to LABOUR, but that labour would have more positive results and not be as emotionally and spiritually draining.
Psalm 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
I meant to cite this scripture when I posted my previous comment, but I had to go and look it up to make sure I had the correct reference. Then I became busy with other things. Sorry for the delay.