Page 27 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

The Heart of Ministry 27

This test usually comes when something we are depending on is taken from
us. A small town pastor’s heart may fill with anxiety at the announcement that the
family that gives the most to the church is moving to the city. At other times, a
key leader may become disenchanted with the pastor and make more than a little
noise when departing.
But the test of dependence does not just affect the church and its ministries,
the individual minister is measured in this area also. When someone fails,
compromising the efforts and effect of the ministry, this is a good sign that God is
testing for what this heart depends upon. Even more painful is when a key mentor
falls into moral failure. In this moment, the exam can be emotionally excruciating.
Why You Cannot Afford to Fail
The test of dependence can be particularly difficult, but one cannot afford
to fail. If our dependence is tested by the threat of losing people, resources, or
possessions, we can be assured that though we fail God’s check in our heart,
the things that we have tried to hold on to will eventually be lost anyway.
Succumbing to temptation does not ever lead to a good end. If it is people that we
are relying upon, they will fail us too. God is obligated to show their weaknesses
so that we can reinvest our trust in Him.

18 How can a minister Thus should the minister be careful about letting others become over
keep others from unhealthy dependent upon him or her. This requires consistent teaching on God as the
dependence on him or her? believer’s caregiver. A minister’s obligation to the church includes training up
healthy, balanced Christians who know their God and their source for all good
things. Any other perspective is unhealthy.
How to Get a Passing Grade
It is understandable (in those times when our hearts are tender toward God
and His will) that failing the test of dependence can result in great loss. This is a
hard test for the minister, in the context where he or she is set to be a servant and
the primary human example of the right relationship with God.
First, the leader must cultivate dependence on God. Daily times of seeking God
and bringing Him the deepest issues will build dependence. This test is designed to
help the minister establish dependence on the one foundation that will never crumble.
Second, ministers must consider their weaknesses and determine the reason for
their dependence on other things. Perhaps personal fears or lack of faith need to be
addressed. God will help leaders discover answers if they ask Him the questions.

The Test of Love

Understanding the Test
God is love, and the minister is a servant of our loving God. This makes it
natural to expect to see love as the central characteristic in the lives of God’s
servants. God commands our love—for Him and for others. These commands
form the most essential core of a minister’s assignment.
To reach such a goal, love becomes a test. God may place a minister in the
middle of some people who are difficult to love. When those we love act in
unlovely ways, it can be a test for us to respond with kindness. Jesus said that
anyone could love those who are lovable, but to love enemies or backstabbing
friends is difficult.
Joyce Meyer has stated that the “sandpaper” people in our lives are used to
smooth out our rough edges. Maybe the greater the number of rough edges we
have, the more of those people God sends. Loving the unlovely is what set Jesus