There's something about the run-up to new year that makes us think about our lives: ponder the possibility of change; plan for the future; resolve the tensions of the past. For those of us in churches, it's a time when we often think about what ministry we're involved in and whether it might be time for a move. But whether we're a youth worker wondering about handing in our notice; or a member of the music-group, planning to ditch the flute in favour of a role in the children's work, how do we make such ministry-decisions well? Here are 6 principles to hold on to as we make decisions at the end of 2014:
Be realistic
God, in his great kindness, does sometimes give people "Jonah-moments". Those occasions where he is inescapably clear about where he wants us to go and what he wants us to do in his name. Times when he works the circumstances of life to get us exactly where he wishes us to be. However, it would be unwise to expect such dramatic signposting in every decision. For most of us, God simply calls us to be faithful in following Jesus, active workers in the harvest field (Matthew 9:38) and of good character (Philippians 1:9-10). While it is great to ask God for guidance, it's entirely possible his guidance may not get any more specific than his biblical call to honour him in thought, word and deed. And he's not letting us down if he stays quiet on the matter.
Be humble
When making decisions about how we use our time, it can be easy for our sense of self-importance to spiral out of control. "That ministry will simply die if I'm not involved" we muse. But it's good to be humble and remember that no matter what decisions we make, none of God's elect will be lost - none of God's eternal plans will fail to come to pass - and the Kingdom of God will not fall. And it's good to repent if we have been thinking such thoughts. Unless the Lord builds the house, the labourers labour in vain (Psalm 127:1) - not the other way round.
Be aware
But our decisions do impact our relationships with those around us. So it's good to be aware that our staying or our going is not unimportant. Exciting new opportunities that honour God and use our gifts well are not always to be grabbed with eagerness. Satan can use such things to distract us from the hard slog of long-term, relational, messy ministry. Paul knew the importance of sacrifice in ministry and taking the path that was unglamorous, dangerous and frustrating rather than going for the safe, self-fulfilling, bigger, better role (2 Corinthians 11:25). Sometimes it's right to say "no" to great opportunities to serve in order to fulfil our existing commitments to God and his people's growth.
Be counter-cultural
It's hard to ignore the wisdom of the world but ignore it we must. When thinking about ministry, there shouldn't be a hint of self-fulfilment in the decision - only self-sacrifice. There shouldn't be a hint of ambition for ourselves, only ambition for the Kingdom. Not a hint of "what I want" only what serves God and other people best. It's the message of Philippians 2. That's not to say that God wants us to be miserable as we serve in ways that bring us pain - and we certainly shouldn't ignore the godly wisdom that leads us to consider what gifts we have, and what needs the church has - but he wants our joy to be in our relationship with him not the hollow idol of progressing our own personal ministry. As the Spirit works in us through prayer and engagement with God's word, we can gradually reflect those priorities more and more.
Be collaborative
We also need each other. Decisions that affect the church should be made in conjunction with our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we are to leave a ministry we are currently involved in and embark on something new, we need to be set apart, prayerfully, by the church and released into it not go because of some personal, private conviction (Acts 13:2; Acts 15:33). Of course, that doesn't mean discussing everything with everyone but it does mean listening to our elders, discerning a path together about wise deployment of our gifts and then either staying or going with the united backing of our family. God has built us into a community that spurs one another on to love and good works so let's allow ourselves to be spurred - whatever direction that may take us (Hebrews 10:24).
Be focused
Decision-making is hard, even with the help of the Lord and our family. And it's easy to let it become overwhelming. On one level, it doesn't really matter where God is going to use us tomorrow or next month or next year. Today, we are where we are. And the most important thing is to serve God wholeheartedly by loving Jesus, talking to Jesus and pointing the people around us to Jesus with every ounce of energy that the Lord provides.
