By: Rev Barbara Louw
Ministering to people is a privilege and hard
work. Helping people to come into a dynamic relationship with God is
a challenge and there is a price to pay. You might remember that
when you were a starry eyed student, no one told you about the
struggles and the heart break.
No one prepared you for the reality of people choosing not to
accept the saving grace of God or that a client might succeed in
committing suicide.
Looking at your ministry today: What is your
passion? In the most practical terms I believe that passion is the
things you love to talk about, think about, pray about and do more
than any thing else. Should someone ask your family what you get
excited about, they will know what your passion is without thinking
twice.
Naturally my next question is, what is your
purpose? Why are you there where you are? Why do you choose to do
what you do? Usually we are quick to quote scripture to justify our
decisions.
However, if you look at your purpose, what can
you celebrate today? Are you desperate or happy? In other words, if
you could start all over again, would you choose the same ministry
and career path again? Does fear hold you back from venturing to do
something new in your life? Many Christian ministers and counsellor
struggle with these questions because they don’t have a trustworthy
coach or mentor to listen and who could provide guidance.
There was a time in our ministry that, through
a word of prophesy, God told my husband and me that He is going to
change our ministry drastically. We had His Word that He would give
us favour and open doors. This was the most exciting and scary time
I could remember. Venturing into a new form of ministry was a
challenge, without a step-by-step manual. In the wisdom of hind
sight, after little more than fifteen years, it was the best
decision we ever made.
God provides where He guides, is not just a
cliché, it is the story of our ministry. However, there are times
that we need to remind ourselves about the basics. I believe it is
important to get excited about the Word of God and not being so busy
with God’s work that we forget God.
In these fifteen years our country, South
Africa, went through enormous challenges and changes. This had an
impact on God’s people. Some opened their heart to people and
communities as never before. Other colleagues were left angry. Angry
at churches with bigger incomes and more members, angry at
associations. They declare that “It’s not fair!” that they have to
compete and have to deal with affirmative action and retrenchments.
They are frustrated by having to deal with dwindling numbers and
decreasing incomes.
The truth is that anger is a passion and
purpose killer. It is not client attractive. People come to us for
help, hope and guidance. They need us to help them see God’s mercy
and find possibilities to solve there problems. These clients are
not going to stick around you if you are bitter, burned out or stuck
in a rut. If you are stuck with anger, deal with it, get over it and
move on!
In a successful ministry the calling you
believe you have, the purpose in your heart and the passion you
express should be in harmony. You do not have the “luxury” of being
negative, because God offers you so much more. Maybe you need to
seek support from others who can help you work through your anger.
Remember, Jesus said:
“The
thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that
they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it
overflows).
I
am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks
and lays down His
[own] life for the sheep.
The thief comes
only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may
have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it
overflows).
I
am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks
and lays down His
[own] life for the sheep” (John 10:10, Amplified Bible)
After more that 25 years in the ministry my
conclusion is that our God-given Passion and Purpose is as important
today as when we started.
Rev Barbara Louw
Inter Trauma Nexus
www.itn.org.za
