Pastor's Pen: Ministry to God's People

E. Stanley Ott is a part-time teaching pastor of the Vienna Presbyterian Church in Virginia and, he also founded the Vital Churches Institute to develop church leaders. He writes a devotional entitled Building One Another. Recently, he wrote a devotional entitled, "People," which is included at the end of this post.

On the one hand, Ott's father gives us a valuable lesson in humility. Our work and our efforts will not last. Someone will come behind us to continue our ministry. Programs will be fleeting. We should not think too greatly of ourselves. Only God's permanence lasts.

On the other hand, Rev. Ott does raise a wonderful point. Ministry is not about programs. We share God's love and grace with people. We teach and study the Scriptures with people. We share the cup and bread with people. God transforms us into a community of faith. We do not build institutions. By God's grace, we build up the body of Christ.

James

October 13, 2009
Vol. 8, No. 38 People

Dear Friend,

I remember vividly the time years ago when I proudly told my father of a number of successful programs I was leading. He said to me, “You do realize your programs won’t outlast you!”

I asked what he meant. He explained that one day other people would replace me as the leaders of the various endeavors I was now leading. They would have their own sense of priorities and vision and things would change.

For awhile that bothered me! Why put effort into something that the next person would change? Then I realized two things. First, as I moved on to lead other organizations I would bring my own vision to bear and it would be different from whomever I replaced.

More significantly, I realized that while the programs might not outlast me, the people would! The people whom I had encouraged in Christian faith and practice, the friendships of the heart that had emerged among us, the things that really count would endure.

I have been greatly encouraged by people in organizations I have led who were developed in Christian faith and leadership by my predecessors - and even more encouraged by the people of faith who were with me at some point in time who continue to love and serve our good Lord.

“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed you are our glory and our joy.” I Thessalonians 2:19-20*

In the midst of all you are doing, are you developing people? Are you growing friendships? They will outlast everything else!

With joy - E. Stanley Ott
Copyright 2009 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the NIV