The Challenges of Gospel Ministry
I came across the following on Gospel Muse (please see my blog roll). These very insightful quotes are from Mike Bullmore:
“One of the greatest challenges, yet one of the most important tasks, of pastoral ministry is to help people actually see the connections between the gospel and the thinking and behavior that make up their everyday lives. We know well the centrality of the gospel message but in order for it to have a functional centrality it must be clearly, carefully and consistently connected to the real issues—issues of thought and conduct—of people’s lives. This kind of ministry is most greatly needed.“
…and the second:
“A local church is healthy to the degree that:
1) Its pastor-teachers are able – accurately, effectively, and broadly – to bring the gospel to bear specifically into the real lives of the people; and
2) Its people have a deep personal understanding of and deep personal appreciation for the gospel so as to be able to live in the good of the gospel daily.
I call this the functional centrality of the gospel.”
May the Lord continue to shape leaders for His church with this kind of perspective.
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I agree with his statement. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” The problem is, not everyone in the congregation will always know how the scripture will directly help them. I know that God plays a role at this point in revealing these things, but he may use the preacher to do so. That is why I find it encouraging when pastors are able to create those connections stated in the quote. Often when I talk with my friends at school, a common thing they say is “I like the teaching at (church/fca/etc..) but I just want to know how I can apply it to my life.”
Tim - April 5, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Thanks for the comment, Tim. It is a tricky dance. One of the classic human defaults when exposed to the gospel is to rush past it looking for something we can “do.” Modern Evangelicalism is full of famous preachers skillfully giving practical steps for victorious Christian living. This is very appealing to a human heart that is hard wired to try and earn God’s favor though obedience (and prideful enough to think that is actually possible!).
Many times when people ask for better application they are in reality asking for rules they can follow to make themselves feel like better Christians because simply trusting Christ and His finished work doesn’t quite seem like enough. As a matter of fact, there is often the fear that resting in grace may promote a careless, sinful lifestyle (see Rom. 6 and note how Paul answers the ‘licentious living’ objection – not with law, but with more gospel!). This struggle is present in every Christian’s heart whether or not they are in touch with it.
Sometimes people long for better application because the truth of the gospel is not being presented with enough clarity, leaving the congregation unaware of the liberating, enabling power of present gospel awareness (which is, the Lord willing, what I hope to promote over time with this blog).
And, of course, there are always situations where solid, gospel driven application simply isn’t present, even in good preaching. But I do believe the more the gospel is grasped the more it flows very naturally, even ineviatbly into everyday life. That is part of the wonderful mystery of sanctification. The more we are struck by the cleansing work of Christ; by our righteous standing before God in Him; by the powerful gift of new life and the indwelling Holy Spirit, along with all the other glorious facets of the gospel, the more we love God’s law, love other people, and long to bring glory to Him in all we do. That’s why I am so looking forward to the Lord’s Table tomorrow – because it is a God ordained means of grasping grace, and it is that grace that inspires and enables me to walk worthy of the calling with which I’ve been called (Eph. 4:1).
I’m becoming more and more convinced that outside of present gospel awareness we simply do not have the capacity to pursue holiness with any effectiveness. There certainly is a place for instruction in holiness, the Scripture is brimming with it! Living as God imitators – as God reflectors – is what we are called to do. But practical application is only profitable when it is steeped in gospel grace. Discerning that balance (or context) is what I think the author of the above quote is getting at.
I feel like an infant in this truth, but I’m confident in Spirit enabled, Word saturated, gospel driven growth!
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.” Phil. 2:12-13
Jason - April 5, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Jason, Thanksfor your blog. If you haven’t already listened to that message by Mike Bullmore – I highly recommend it (I’ve listened to it several times) – it should be available at the Sovereign Grace ministries site – The Functional Centrality of the Gospel. Thanks again, Rick
Rick - April 7, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Thank you, Rick. I plan on listening to the entire message soon. It is so encouraging to see the theme of gospel centrality coming from so many different places. The Lord is at work! Thanks be to God! Gospel blessings, Rick.
Jason
Jason - April 7, 2008 at 4:48 pm