When I think of ministry and ministers, I think of this group of men and others like them. I have had the privilege of associating with these men during my 42 years of ministry and especially this group for the past decade. These men represent what great ministry is all about. Each one has his own unique personality, abilities and gifts, but there is one common quality I want to mention that they share. It is a rare quality and one that unfortunately has grown rarer in the past few years. (I am intentionally refusing to make any comments about the guy with the green-striped shirt in the middle) 🙂

When I think of successful pastors with successful ministries, I think of these men. It is not because their ministries meet the current standards in measuring successful ministry. They do not have a large following or large ministries. They have not written best-selling books on ministry nor have they been published in leading ministry magazines nor have they received media attention for their efforts. They do not have multi-site churches and they may preach to a relatively small group of people. As far as I know, they have not spoken at large conferences (with possibly one exception) or garnered a spotlight on their efforts. They have trudged away in the trenches of ministry day after day for a combined 350+ years, tirelessly seeking to carry out the calling God has placed on their lives. Some have done so with significant personal challenges: fighting health issues, bi-vocational work demands, and the never ending needs of their congregations. They have done so with grace, diligence, and a singular resolve to finish the course set before them. They are among my heroes of the faith along with those mentioned in Hebrews 11. Yes, I put them right up there with those saints of old.

What common quality makes them stand out? They each exhibit that rare quality of FAITHFULNESS.

In 1 Corinthians 4 the Apostle Paul tells his followers how to think of him and how to evaluate him. He is a minister (a slave) of Christ and a steward (manager) of the mysteries of God. Ministers are not CELEBRITIES! They should not be self-seeking, self-centered, or self-promoting. They are simply servants, called to serve Christ by serving His people.

Jesus reminds us: “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” – Luke 17:10

The requirement is “that a man be found faithful.” And we will be evaluated by God, not by others or by ourselves. Others do not see the sleepless nights praying over some person with a serious need. Others do not see the sacrificial service or the anonymous giving. Others do not carry the weight of hurting people or spiritual concern, the weight of feeling the responsibility for the spiritual welfare of their people. We cannot even make a true evaluation of ourselves and our ministry. Many times we have served, thinking that we failed in our efforts, but are unaware of the real impact that service has made. Sometimes we may have felt that we were fairly successful in our efforts, but were blind to the ineffectiveness of that service and the pride that generated it. Ministry is not about having our names in lights or large congregations filling our churches. Ministry is about serving Christ by serving others. It is often ignored, unappreciated, and scorned by others. Only God knows what we have done for Him, how we have served, why we have served and the extent of our labor for Him. And only He can properly evaluate our ministry.

So, what is FAITHFULNESS?

• It is doing the same thing over and over, day after day, year after year, not because it is always rewarding, fulfilling, and exciting, BUT because it is important, necessary and right.
• It is doing what is needed, indeed what Christ expects, whether or not it is well-received, popular, or rewarded. We choose to obey God rather than men.
• It is doing what is right, no matter the consequences.It is serving, because we are called to serve, not because we are paid to serve.
• It is serving, not because people appreciate it, but because God expects it.

I am not God and I cannot evaluate the ministry of the group of men pictured above. I am not saying that they are flawless or perfect. But I can say that I have observed the quality of FAITHFULNESS in each of their lives and I applaud it!