Page 67 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

The Nature of Ministry 67

people may abandon a minister, forcing him or her to lose sight of the greater
mission. These are difficult hours as the servant can lose much by holding tightly
to the right priorities—but this is exactly what he or she must do.

12 What relationships do A minister can manage the expectations of others through effective
you find most meaningful? communication. Knowing one’s role and helping others understand that role
clarifies personal expectations. While this does not guarantee that personal
priorities will be accepted, the minister will have established what others can
expect. On the other hand, some firmly believe that a minister should remain
aloof. This is their image of a spiritual leader’s role. While this approach will
allow the minister to ignore the unrealistic expectations of others, it will also
undermine the nature of ministry. Here is the place for another point of balance,
difficult though it may be to achieve. The minister must be available to people
and work at keeping their expectations within reasonable bounds.

A Need for Nurture
Jesus was admired for His eyes of compassion. Those eyes were always
followed by actions of love, touching and teaching people.
A ministry of gentle caring is critical when people are experiencing hardships.
People need to be loved when life has become harsh; they will bond tightly to
those who reach out to them in such moments. For instance, a minister may work
diligently to assimilate someone into the church through discipleship classes or
a special outreach, but he or she finally makes the connection by showing up to
support the family in a crisis.
As our culture becomes less personal, people long for the nurturing. And
they expect that nurture to come from the minister, as nurturing is part of the
minister’s responsibility. But just as with relationship, the minister must maintain
an effective balance. Lonely people can become addicted to the minister’s
attention and pose unrealistic expectations. A minister who fails to keep balance
in the expectations of nurture will be without sufficient time for the greater tasks
of ministry. Such imbalance also produces over-dependent stunted believers.
13 How can the need for Realistic expectations must be cultivated. Others can be trained to help
nurture become unbalanced? with such ministries, but the minister must establish boundaries for personal
involvement. Ministers cannot be effective if they neglect nurture ministries; they
also cannot be effective if those ministries dominate their time.

A Need for Growth
God has His own priorities for each of our lives. His plans are greater than ours
and often bring a measure of discomfort. Nevertheless, God’s agenda is to develop us
into His image by whatever means necessary. Often, such growth is uncomfortable.

14 Why do people resist The uncomfortable is seldom a priority among people, even God’s people.
growth? Growth, however, will ultimately bring a higher quality of life in the end.
Personal growth and spiritual discipline will bring the abundant life Christ
promised. The minister must cultivate this discipline for the flock. Though many
people will not wear this expectation on their sleeves, this is their need. After all,
those who stop moving forward will quickly drift off course. Thus, the minister’s
responsibility is to create an appetite for growth, chart the course, and motivate
each individual to advance. The minister must pursue this unfelt need for greater
long-term benefit.