From the October-December 2009 Issue
Effective Ministry
Jan and Lucie Habl
Nove Mesto nad Metuji, Czech Republic
How can it be measured?
Let me be honest right from the outset. The situation is not good. Resistance to the Gospel is increasing in our culture year after year. It is not an open hostility, but rather plain apathy or vain disregard, at least in the Czech Republic. Our media informed us recently about an anti-Christian campaign which took place in Great Britain and elsewhere in Western Europe – but Czech people do not understand this. Why would anyone want to fight against Christianity? Why would anyone want to kick the dead? Traditional Christianity is simply outside any discussion in our country. It is not surprising, for the apostle Paul tells us that “the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths”. But still, it is painful to experience such times.
Early blessing
When my wife and I entered the ministry about ten years ago, we were aware of these tendencies. The growing focus on material and earthly well-being was apparent even then. However, we experienced quantitative blessing in our work. New people came and the congregation which called us almost doubled in numbers over the years. I promised to be honest, so I must admit now that it felt great. In my ministry, I felt successful, able and effective. I knew it was all the work of God and His grace, but still I felt satisfied with my “performance”.
But then…
Last year was different. It was the first year in our ministry when we did not receive any new members. We even lost some. Some people moved from our region due to employment problems; some left the church because of spiritual problems (the church had to discipline them and they got upset).
Doubts began to creep in immediately. Is our preaching right? Is our doctrine right? Is our spiritual life right? Is God judging us? Of course we are not right. We are weak, sinful and imperfect. But fortunately God’s blessing does not depend on our human merits or perfect spirituality. In fact, God’s grace always comes in spite of our sinfulness. That is not to say holiness does not matter in God’s eyes. Not at all, but rather that holiness is the consequence of God’s grace, not its cause. In other words, I want to be holy not in order to earn God’s grace, but because I have already received it. I do not dare to make a deal with God: I give you my holiness and you will bless my ministry. However, the spirit of pharisaic meritoriousness is still within us and so when things go wrong, questions of doubt trouble us. Why isn’t our ministry fruitful? And personally, is my pastoral ministry pleasing God? How do I know? How can I find out?
A spiritual matter
When I studied theology (incidentally, it was at the EMF School of Biblical Studies) I was taught that ministry is a spiritual matter, and as such it cannot and should not be measured by simple external or quantitative factors. The only criterion of any ministry is not numbers, but the minister’s faithfulness to God and His Word. The faithful holding to the truth may not be popular at the time, it may even cause a decrease in numbers or opposition, ridicule and scorn, but for me there is no other way. Yes, I would love to see great numbers of people coming to Christ. I would love to be an effective minister in this sense. But the first and foremost criterion for me is the Lord’s assessment. When he returns, I want to hear from him: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Please, join us in prayer in our spiritual struggle for faithfulness.