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Christian ministry...why is it it difficult.
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Without Jesus... there is a ZERO (0)% success rate.
I find it useful to remember that even Jesus did not change some people's lives. If they weren't changed by him - what chance do ordinary folk have?
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My response: Excellent point!
I often remember the "rich young ruler". Jesus told him what he needed to do... and the young man walked away in deep sorrow.
Today, most evangelists or pastors would have chased him down and said... "No, you don't really have to SELL EVERYTHING... you just need to be WILLING TO."
Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.Psalm 124:8 NKJV
What I'd suggest, is to remember that just because you don't get results that you expect from someone you're ministering to, doesn't mean that your efforts are in vain. You're rewarded for your service to the Lord as he directs, never forget that. Also, you have no idea what the Holy Spirit is going to do down the road. For example, something that you said or wrote to someone, may not have any impact at all till potentially years down the road, when what you have said is driven home circumstantially. This is much more true when you're talking a piece of the Word of God to someone. Words tend to stick better when those words are dividing asunder between soul and spirit!!
It seemed to be a good idea to share this, because this understanding is what I tend to fall back on when things seem to be an uphill struggle when it comes to ministry. It really helps to keep from becoming discouraged.
The Lord is at work, even while we've moved on to the next person. Even with that, it's ultimately any given person's decision to submit themselves unto the Lord. That whole free will thing... I think the only place we'd enjoy a 100% success rate is in Heaven. :-)
God bless!
Brian
Brian wrote: "What I'd suggest, is to remember that just because you don't get results that you expect from someone you're ministering to, doesn't mean that your efforts are in vain. You're rewarded for your ser..." Preach brother Brian you are so on point. What we say to a person it may not have any effect until years down the road. We are just planting a seed and down the road God makes it grow. After all who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God's servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.
1 Cor. 3:5-6
All excellent points...and they encourage me. My inspiration for posing the question of this thread is that I am reading "They're rugby boys don't you know" by Natalie Vellacott (excellent book)...that our ministry work requires such an investment in prayer, hope, faith, and tenacity...for results at the time that may outwardly appear to be only half-way fruitful and "successful" in our limited judgment.
But I suppose the book of Acts carries this theme throughout...and there are so many OT and NT verses that encourage us to press forward despite the difficulties.
Yes, 1 Cor. 3:5-8 is excellent and "on point."
But I suppose the book of Acts carries this theme throughout...and there are so many OT and NT verses that encourage us to press forward despite the difficulties.
Yes, 1 Cor. 3:5-8 is excellent and "on point."
An uphill battle without 100% success rate...why?