This past summer, I've revisited a book that was required reading for a Practice of Ministry class at seminary. The book is called The Christian Ministry with an Inquiry into the Causes and Inefficiency (Banner of Truth Trust) by Charles Bridges (1794-1869). I last read this book in 2002 as a young, aspiring pastor-in-training (though I had served on staff in music and youth ministries for the previous ten years). I confess, while I found some valuable principles in this book, it felt … heavy and impractical.
Now, here I am, 23 years later and I see the preciousness of its theology (which is not a bad word, for this strictly means the “study of God"--what is so bad and off-putting about that) and its practicality.
Below, Bridges gives those of us in Kingdom work some great encouragement:
"It is faith than enlivens our work with perpetual cheerfulness. It commits every part of it to God, in the hope that even mistakes shall be overruled for his glory; and thus relieves us from an oppressive anxiety, often attendant upon a deep sense of our responsibility. The shortest way to peace will be found in casting ourselves upon God for daily pardon of deficiencies and supplies of grace, without looking too eagerly for the present fruit. Hence our course of effort is unvarying, but more tranquil. It is peace--not slumber, rest in the work, not from it" (pp. 178-79).
All Christians will find value in this, but especially the ministers. How?
Our cheerfulness and delight in the work comes from Christ, the object of our faith, rather than our supposed or imposed success metrics.
His glory overrules our mistakes, reminding us that God does indeed work all things for His good to those who are His and are called (see Romans 8:28).
The weight of the responsibility can bring about an “oppressive anxiety.” We want to do well in the eyes of the Lord, but we must be careful that this desire is not supplanted by our desire to to well in the eyes of people.
Cast yourselves upon the Lord--His mercies are new every morning for the “daily pardon of deficiencies.” Praise God for His abundant grace.
Look more eagerly for His grace than for present fruit.
Resting in the work is possible. We rest as Christ empowers and bears fruit for His glory. Praise God we can come along and be of use to Him and His Kingdom work.
Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry, with An Inquiry to Its Causes of Inefficiency, Banner of Truth Trust, p. 178-9.
Well said by Bridges and Perry. The sweet spot of balance and patience is joy in the calling and fulfillment of Christian ministry.