Paul is sometimes described as one who was “willing to spend and to be spent” in his service to the churches he established and nurtured. He writes in touching words of his daily burden of concern for the churches, especially in his absence. He writes of daily constant prayer for those he loved in Christ. All of this while taking as little as possible from the churches–sometimes refusing personal support.
As we study New Testament models of ministry, we who minister might do well to ask ourselves how we see our responsibilities in ministry. How do we compare with Paul, or Timothy and Titus? What is the burden we feel as we care for those God places in our ministry paths? Are willing are we to sacrifice generously in our service to others? Are we willing to go the second mile? Reflecting on my ministry, I recall hundreds of miles driven to make a hospital call or to minister to a grieving family. I remember all night vigils at the bedside of dying members (one of the most memorable a Saturday night, after which I hurried home to change clothes and then to the church building to preach). For most of my ministry years, at least 25% of the funds I received from the church went for ministry expenses. I remember how impressed Jan and I were that Don and Carol Vinzant drove 500 miles to be a the funeral of Jan’s dad when we were members at the Edmond church. The birth of babies doesn’t always follow our schedules, so I spent two of the first three weeks after the birth of our first child serving as a counselor at Christian youth camps. It wasn’t planned that way–but ministry commitments mattered when I began ministry 40+ years ago.
I fear that we are in danger of developing a ministry model that responds only when ministers are “on call”, a model that is some distance from Paul’s willingness “to spend and be spent.” Equally amazing is how little “on call” time some ministers make available to members, contacts, and the lost. I heard of one minister who refused to make a hospital call because it was his day off. Members are in the hospital and no one knows–not even the minister. Some of the reasons I have heard used to explain why ministers cannot be involved in mission trips, ministry to the sick and bereaved, evangelistic Bible studies, and other customary ministry activities remind me of Jesus’ teachings about excuses (Luke 14). The contemporary word that comes to mind is flimsy.
I call those of us who minister to biblical ministry! Let us be serious about the charge God has given us. Let us fulfill our ministry of reading, study, preparation, caring, serving, teaching, evangelizing, all the while serving as an example. Words that challenge the members to daily study or daily evangelism are meaningless when such activities are not seen in the life of the preacher.