This is about the relationship between the individual and the ministry, especially how they work together for success in the mission God has given us. Let us look more closely at what we mean by the individual and the ministry.
I would like to approach this in three parts:
- The individual
- The ministry
- God’s role
Let us borrow Dr. Melvin Steinbron’s definition: “Ministry is the cooperation between God and human beings.” I think this is a very helpful concept. The success of ministry depends on two parties: people and God—our preparation and God’s help.
Then, what is our part?
First, prayer. Prayer must come first. Then we should invest as much of our energy as possible in the ministry God has entrusted to us. We need to prepare ourselves physically, intellectually, academically, spiritually, and emotionally. We need to develop our personality and character, establish good habits, learn to concentrate, and become less self-centered. There are many areas in which we can prepare ourselves.
Therefore, we should prepare ourselves as fully as we can. This is part of our responsibility before God. God expects us to do our part faithfully, while we trust Him to do what only He can do.
Through this process, we grow as individuals. I often look at myself and ask, “Have I grown as much as I expected or wanted to?” I can honestly say, yes, I have grown a great deal.
But then comes the next question:
If I have grown, has my ministry grown as well?
If I have experienced significant personal growth but my ministry has not grown, then something may be wrong. Otherwise, my growth could become nothing more than self-satisfaction.
In my own experience, I can confidently say that my ministry has also grown significantly. Why? Because I intentionally worked to make my ministry grow.
Then, what did I do to help my ministry grow?
First, Dr. Melvin was my mentor—or, more precisely, my guide—from the very beginning. I needed him for nearly ten years, and he was there whenever I needed him. Whenever I had something to share, I called him, even through an expensive international phone call. I reported almost everything to him—even small and seemingly insignificant things related to the ministry.
And I faithfully followed his guidance.
Of course, most of the time, he simply listened to me while I reported what was happening. But that listening, his questions, and his guidance helped me continue in the right direction.
What was my part?
I did as much as I could. I put myself into the ministry. I invested my time, energy, thought, and commitment in it.
I believe there is a simple principle here:
The more faithfully we invest ourselves in the ministry God has given us, the more opportunity there is for that ministry to grow.
I am also convinced that my ministry grew because I was there. I stayed with it. I gave it my time. I kept learning. I kept working. I kept praying. I kept going.
But I do not mean that the growth came from me alone. Ministry is cooperation between God and human beings. I did my part, and God did His part.
So, I would encourage you to ask yourself two questions:
“Am I growing as an individual?”
and
“Is the ministry God has entrusted to me growing with me?”
If you are growing, your ministry should have the opportunity to grow as well.
Grow yourself, and give yourself to the ministry. Do your very best—and leave the results to God.