We often cite the verse from Philippians 2: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” It’s a biblical reminder to not be selfish in our approach to life (and ministry). The reality, though, is that it’s just plain hard to do. It’s hard to think of others … first.
As cross cultural workers for the Gospel, we have learned how to do. We were trained and given opportunity to do the ministry. It’s what we were called to do by God.
Now there is nothing wrong with doing. God created us, brought us to Himself, redeemed us, and made us part of His family to carry out the good works He has planned for us. That’s another way of saying that being and doing are inter-related. Knowing who you are in Christ pushes you to want to serve Him. And in serving Him, we find ourselves driven back regularly to Christ and the cross for the assurance of His love and grace.
We take delight in doing God’s work, in giving our energy to see the Gospel shared and applied. The problem arises when we consider that relationship and work as only individual and not collective. In other words, a large part of our doing should be to equip and empower others to do the ministry as well (Ephesians 4:12-17). And yet, it’s just hard to think of others first.
Let me share a few ideas for us to consider:
First, sit down with a disciple or another worker/leader that you are helping to grow and develop. Ask them to describe for you, in five minutes, a life changing event that they experienced. Listen carefully. Ask clarifying questions. When they are finished, re-tell the story to them. This will provide a gauge of your capacity to listen well to another.
Second, think about a disciple or another worker/leader that you are helping to grow and develop. Ask yourself: what could this person become if they gave energy to this one area of their life and ministry? Then determine one way you could help this person identify that growth need and begin working on it. This will help us begin to think of others’ growth as well as our own.
Finally, pray. Pray that you would grow in your capacity to listen well, ask questions, and graciously push another towards growth. And focus specific prayer on that disciple or other worker/leader that you are helping to grow and develop. Ask God to use you to empower them in ministry.
Filed under: Discipleship, Gospel, Other centeredness |
Thoughts Along The Journey 
Thanks for an insightful challenge in such a foundational area! The struggle I have comes when helping the other person to identify a growth area. As an extrovert or older person or further along the Christian journey, or fill in the blank ______, I find myself so quickly wanting to give advice or challenging them to work on the area which I see needs worked on in their life (chuckle). This sounds so ridiculous, but it is so easy to fall into giving advice. Where are some practical ways to overcome being quick to speak and slow to listen? 🙂
Thanks Richard! And good question by the way. Start by asking more questions and talking less. Look to have the person discover for themselves areas of need by asking: how are you doing? what’s keeping you up at night? what obstacles are you facing? Once the conversation gets rolling you might ask: what three thing if done well would make a difference in your life and ministry? Recognize that introverts need time to process, and questions (and silence) give them the time needed. And you might be surprised at how people come to recognize and admit their weaknesses when there is a listening ear. As well as you might be surprised about what you learn about yourself.
This is an important reminder to help us become more centered in God and holistic in our ministry rather than a dominate task oriented focus which often feeds our self-worship idolatry.
A friend sent me this piece that has really challenged me and I am sharing with those I mentor.
Essentials for Life and Ministry
From sermon on Nehemiah — Nehemiah 5 by Dr. Moody
Personal relationship with God in quiet times must never be squeezed out.
Being faithful is more important than taking a short cut to be successful.
My family is my first church.
The Bible is the sole authority and the way God speaks today.
The Holy Spirit is the presence and power of God for Kingdom expansion.
Character, purity, Christlikeness has greater impact than ministry based on gifting alone.
Prayer is the means by which God chooses to bless His work.
Spiritual growth is more important than mere task or goal achievement.
Who is equal to these things? Only one man! He took the sins of the oppressed and the oppressors on the cross. He said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Only in Him can we rebuild.
Amen Albert! I concur with this summary of priorities by Moody! However, as a Moody Bible Institute graduate (98), I may be slightly biased! :). Thanks for passing this on and I am copying this to have as a reference.
thanks Albert! We need creative ways to seek to put into practice the age old call to put others first!
I’m sure there are plenty of others we could cite to support Albert’s insights (: