In pastoral ministry, faithfulness and obedience aren't merely immediate, existing only in the here and now. They are long term. A category is needed for faithfulness and for obedience over time. For example, the righteous and justified use of corrective church discipline may not be the way of faithfulness now, especially if there is not a culture of formative discipline and discipleship. Excommunicating non-attenders may need to happen, but wisdom may say wait. Long term faithfulness looks like patiently establishing a culture of discipleship and then pursuing corrective discipline as needed.
Such wisdom requires both a clear vision of ministry and this category of 'delayed' faithfulness and obedience.
"Father, I need a long term, big picture view of faithfulness and obedience in pastoral ministry. Give me wisdom, I am lacking. Amen."
Such wisdom requires both a clear vision of ministry and this category of 'delayed' faithfulness and obedience.
"Father, I need a long term, big picture view of faithfulness and obedience in pastoral ministry. Give me wisdom, I am lacking. Amen."
2 comments:
Ross, thanks for your recent posts...this is just a note to encourage you that someone is reading them!
A good word brother. Thanks!
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