The Lost Art Of Ministry

The lost art of ministry

Revelations 3:1-3 Write this to Sardis, to the Angel of the church. The One holding the Seven Spirits of God in one hand, a firm grip on the Seven Stars with the other, speaks: "I see right through your work. You have a reputation for vigor and zest, but you’re dead, stone-dead.

2-3 "Up on your feet! Take a deep breath! Maybe there’s life in you yet. But I wouldn’t know it by looking at your busywork; nothing of God’s work has been completed. Your condition is desperate. Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn back to God.

This is a sad topic with me. I look at churches all around and see that they have really lost not only their passion for ministry, but they have lost sight of ministry. Oh, don’t get me wrong they have works, plenty of works. There is something going on at the church every day, but it is not ministry. I will refrain from pointing this things out but they are not listed in the bible and fall more under the heading of entertainment and self pleasure.

O.K. Let’s get back to the subject at hand. The churches need to get rid of the busywork, the work that does nothing but exhaust and discourage the staff and those who attend. While many of the large meg-churches appear to be making some difference in this area, the exact opposite is true. They are so caught up in the multi-service mentality and the parade of "ministries" that they quench the Spirit. Let the Holy Ghost show up during one of their man made parades that put their ministry accomplishments on display and watch it all fall apart.

Tommy Tenney said it best when he talked about David bringing the Ark back from captivity. There was much dancing, singing, and praising, but no Glory, Honor and Thanksgiving to God. When God had seen and heard enough He cause the oxen to stumble and the Ark began to fall. Man reached out to steady the ox and God broke out of the box. Not only did it leave a man dead but it put a stop to the man made parade. Why? Because they were not handling the sacred things of God as they were supposed to.

God is still the same way. Our dead, lifeless churches are trying to handle God’s anointing in their own way and God is having no part of it. He isn’t showing up in the services because there is no time for Him. In by 11 out by 12, the services are so rushed that you barely have time to get God’s attention, let alone Him get yours. It is time get back to the God called work of the ministry and leave the busywork to someone else.