While [secular] lawyers and doctors deal with issues that remain within this world’s boundaries of time and space, pastors are faced with dealing in issues which are mortal and immortal, timely and timeless, intellectually factual and spiritually faith-based, human and Divine, etc.

In the course of our ministry (lit. defn: “service”) it is easy for us as pastors to shift from serving with Christ into a mode of serving for Christ. Even though we deal with very challenging situations on a daily or weekly basis, situations that require us to call upon the Lord for His help and guidance, it is easy to lose our intimacy connection with Christ.

I would like to challenge all of us who serve in the ministry [as a career] to plan for a change. Let’s not seek the Lord for a momentary and refreshing touch in the midst of our stressful career moments… let’s seek the Lord for a permanent transformation whereby our ministry returns to being with Him.

After all, on the last day there will be plenty of minister-types who will remind Christ of all that they have done for Him, but He (Christ) will not have any recollection of their ministry works because He only remembers ministers that ministered with Him.

“’Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?”

Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Matthew 7:22-24 (NIV)

Thanks for reading. See you at the altar of ministry with Christ where ministry is truly satisfying in this age, and in the age to come!

Loud, or Soft music?  Long, or Short services?  Big, or Small congregation?  Suits, or Polo shirts?  Sitting, or Standing during worship?  Piano, or Organ music?  Seeker-Sensitive, or Hell-Fire preaching?  Pentecostal, or Evangelical atmosphere?  Topical, or Expositional teaching?  Cutting-edge, or 1980’s?  White Hankies, or Colored Banners?  Missionaries, or Singers?  Projection, or Handouts?  Pass-the-Plate, or Take-It-to-the-Altar offerings?

And the list could go on, and on…

Fortunately, we aren’t God.  I say fortunately, not because of all the potentially difficult decisions that the above list represents, but because the list contains all the wrong questions when it comes to God considering what kind of church services He wants.

• While we are measuring the volume of the music coming from the platform, God is looking for any measure of a cry from a heart in the sanctuary.
• While we are hoping our service will be dismissed by noon, God is hoping our sin will be dismissed sooner rather than later.
• While we are convincing ourselves we don’t have to go to the altar, God is already convinced of all the alterations we need to undergo.
• While we wonder where the good ol’ days went, God is wondering why His wonders of today are much less appreciated.
• While we bring in the latest worship songs to help us dance and banner-wave, God remains kept outside the doors of our hearts - in the cold – looking for another way in.

Today, let’s each bring our own error-filled list of church service defining questions to the altar.  And while we are at it, let’s not forget to bring our hearts too.

See you at the altar of alteration.

My excitement, however, is not based upon knowing what all is next!  There is still plenty of "wait and see" that will have to take place, but the peace of Christ that transcends all understanding and circumstances has found a home in my heart and mind.

I'll write more about this later.  I am currently building a website that will articulate this paradigm shift.