Jude 1:22 (KJV)
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Things are certainly different than they were 40 years ago when I began in the ministry.
For one, it was very common back then for young men, called of God, to plant new churches. A significant number of my preacher friends, me included, did just that. For another, many of those churches not only survived but thrived.[1] Almost all those friends have now passed away or, at the very least, retired from full-time pastoring. There are far fewer church planters as there were then, and of those who are planting churches, they do not seem to be as successful at it.[2]
One of those churches planted back then adopted this passage as their motto: “Making a difference.”
Of some – It is a sad reality that we can never reach all. Our numbers are limited. Our resources are limited. Our time is limited. And some simply refuse to be reached.
Having compassion – It’s why we do what we do. The call of God to ministry is a call of compassion. Love for God leads to love for others. The mercy extended to us in saving us, so undeserved, creates a deep sense of debt to God and to others. We feel compelled to share this faith with them.
Making a difference – And what a difference it makes! I fear that, as time goes by, we focus so much on how much of the old man still exists in us that we forget how different the new man is.
None of us is perfect until we get to heaven—that’s eternal. But the gospel of Jesus makes a difference right now as well. It’s not perfect; it must grow and mature. There are setbacks along the way, but the compassion of Christ truly makes a difference.
#CompassionInMinistry #MakingADifference #GospelTruth #LoveOfGod #FaithfulService
Making a Difference: A Legacy of Compassion in Ministry
[1] I once observed that of those who attempted to plant churches in the 1980’s and 1990’s in the Pacific Northwest, all of them who stuck with it ten years or more had established self-sustaining churches with their own buildings.
[2] I don’t mean this to be a slight on them but a commentary on the culture shift in those 40 years.
- How can you make a difference in someone’s life today?
- Step out in faith and show compassion by sharing the love of Christ with someone in need.
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