The Ministry Machine

Often times, people are treated as though the reason for their existence is to serve the machine of ministry. People serve as it's fuel, not it's purpose. The machine must continually be fed so it can continue to perform. Families and even one's personal walk with the Lord are sacrificed so that the show continues on. The problem is that God never called anyone to build a ministry. God wants us to build people and to make disciples.

I am not speaking of an unhealthy self-focused Christianity, but the opposite. We are to have two main focuses. In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus responded to the question: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” We must love God like crazy and love people like crazy.

Whenever I meet with someone who is beginning to serve in the church, I always tell them, "I care more about you than what you do for me." The person is always more valuable to God than any need they may meet and should be more valuable to us as well. When people exist to serve our need, whether it is cloaked in ministry or not, we are selfish and not expressing God's love.
Are ministries bad? No. Ministries can be great when their focus is not the machine of "ministry". When we exist to love God and people, we become self-LESS and a wonderful example of what Christianity is supposed to be.

II Cor. 5:15 “...and He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
-Pastor John Eldredge