Page 63 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

The Nature of Ministry 63

has a true heart for ministry is that he or she consciously gives encouragement
and example. The beginning minister, too, should make it a point to invest in
someone’s life as he or she grows in service to the body of Christ.

5 What have you learned There is much one learns when one is being followed. Often personal
from teaching others? perceptions of circumstances and people are quite limited. Seeing those items
through the eyes of a mentee can be a powerful learning experience for the
mentor. Mentoring also helps a leader avoid selfishness. A conduit is a more
lasting instrument in the kingdom of God than the perpetual student because what
is learned is immediately practiced. Making disciples is a reproductive process.

Building Servant Character

Servant leadership is at the core of our participation in the kingdom of
God. Therefore, understanding how to cultivate that type of leadership spirit is
essential. The following areas of focus can aid the minister in establishing and
maintaining a place as a servant leader.
Relationship with God
The foundation for life as a spiritual leader is found in one’s relationship with
God. He is the benefactor, and we are His servants. We have been made worthy
by God’s choice and have been given the responsibility of servanthood. As such,
we must hold tightly to His right to command and our privilege to serve.
The recognition of our need of God will help us hold fast to a servant
attitude. Moses’ amazing obedience and ability to follow God while leading
millions of people hinged on his self-effacing attitude and clear knowledge of
God’s greatness. His moments of failure came when he momentarily lost track
of these things.
Relationship with Tasks
The tasks of the ministry are beyond what the beginning minister can imagine.
He or she is called upon to bring comfort, handle administrative responsibilities,
communicate expertly, demonstrate prowess in financial and conflict management,
and show a host of other capabilities. With all this, there is tendency to feel
compelled to wring oneself out trying to doing it all, simply because it is expected
of the spiritual leader. But experience will teach each minister that this is only a
self-imposed sentence of failure. No one person can do all this.
Servant-leadership requires the leader to have a clear understanding of his
or her giftings and how they can be effectively employed for the benefit of
the church. Trying to do what one was not designed or called to do is futile.
A minister must also know that while tasks are a necessary part of the work,
the business of ministry is people. To minister to people takes getting to know
them and learning to appreciate them in as many ways as opportunity allows.
Certainly, a minister should reach for excellence in all he or she does, but to do
so at the expense of serving is detrimental.
6 How will you avoid Some ministers are even identified by their tasks. One will hear, “He’s a preacher”
becoming task-driven in your or “she’s a counselor.” Such titles are misplaced, for they only convey a small part of
work of ministry? what the spiritual leader does and is all about. The Holy Spirit will work constantly to
help the humble minister keep a balance between doing things and serving people.

Relationship with People
Working with people can be taxing. Nevertheless, the minister is to seek
the good of the people and work with them right where they are. If this sounds