This is a reflection on the personal context of ministry. The reading material “Ministerial Effectiveness” is the springboard of this reflection. This reading material proposed a three-step model to measure the effectiveness of a minister. It involves changes in (a) insights and understandings, (2) attitudes, and (3) behaviors. The article also sees the prime role of a minister as an enables because success in ministry is based primarily on the effect clergy have on those to whom they minister.
As a newly ordained it is still obscure on part to foresee the future of my ministry. The only thing which could be clearer is the person I become due to the years of formation in the seminary. To focus on the future success is still far from my consideration as of this moment. I am more inclined to take into my conviction the statement that “God calls the church to be faithful, rather than successful as the world views success.”[1]
My concern now is how my person would interact with God and with the people. In my own opinion it would start with my cooperation with the grace of God. Effectiveness should flow from the character of the person. This means that first of all I am a witness to what I am called to do mission in the church. The measurement then is not counting how long will I endure in this ministry or how wide will me responsibility be.
Relationship then really matters. How I would relate with God and with his people is certainly a contributing factor in building up my person, as created by God, redeemed by Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Becoming apart or separated from the believing community would really endanger my calling to minister. My experience would tell me that being with the people enhances my faith. I learn many things in the faith of the common people. But on the other hand I have also the duty to uplift the faith of the people. This is a give and take relationship in the community where the presence of God is manifested and experienced through the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Being in the ministry should not be considered as having the same framework with that of the secular world such as business, profession, or occupation where success is measured according to tangible criteria. In church ministry our hope is to attain holiness in union with God as a community. We hope for the coming of the Kingdom as promised by our Lord Jesus Christ. Our effort, then, is to be geared towards the building of the Kingdom of God
[1] H. Newton Malony and Richard Hunt, The Psychology of Clergy, p. 112.
As a newly ordained it is still obscure on part to foresee the future of my ministry. The only thing which could be clearer is the person I become due to the years of formation in the seminary. To focus on the future success is still far from my consideration as of this moment. I am more inclined to take into my conviction the statement that “God calls the church to be faithful, rather than successful as the world views success.”[1]
My concern now is how my person would interact with God and with the people. In my own opinion it would start with my cooperation with the grace of God. Effectiveness should flow from the character of the person. This means that first of all I am a witness to what I am called to do mission in the church. The measurement then is not counting how long will I endure in this ministry or how wide will me responsibility be.
Relationship then really matters. How I would relate with God and with his people is certainly a contributing factor in building up my person, as created by God, redeemed by Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Becoming apart or separated from the believing community would really endanger my calling to minister. My experience would tell me that being with the people enhances my faith. I learn many things in the faith of the common people. But on the other hand I have also the duty to uplift the faith of the people. This is a give and take relationship in the community where the presence of God is manifested and experienced through the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Being in the ministry should not be considered as having the same framework with that of the secular world such as business, profession, or occupation where success is measured according to tangible criteria. In church ministry our hope is to attain holiness in union with God as a community. We hope for the coming of the Kingdom as promised by our Lord Jesus Christ. Our effort, then, is to be geared towards the building of the Kingdom of God
[1] H. Newton Malony and Richard Hunt, The Psychology of Clergy, p. 112.
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