I'm about halfway through and you mentioned about judging ministries by sight vs faith. You mention the areas where we judge by sight, but how would you judge a ministry by faith? So if someone came to you and asked how your church was doing and what success looked like, how might you respond?
That is going to be a lot harder. I would start with careful attention to what the book of James names as the way to discern. How does this place wield, protect, and talk about power? How do they use their words? Who is most valued here? But then I would turn to the fruit of the Spirit. But notice that unlike sight, none of these things can be judged quickly or easily. Because we need faith, we will have to have discernment, and it will probably take a lot more time.
When I was at Talbot, I remember someone saying that their answer to how is ministry going? was ask me in 10 years.
Your answer is interesting, I was thinking it might be more towards as overseers and pastors, are we being faithful to what God has given us to shepherd and equip? Without thinking about numbers or budget growth.
Sako, that would be the case as well, but what "being faithful" actually looks like can be hard to discern. It is interesting to see how Scripture distinguishes between false teachers and faithful teachers. The book of James is key here I think.
I'm about halfway through and you mentioned about judging ministries by sight vs faith. You mention the areas where we judge by sight, but how would you judge a ministry by faith? So if someone came to you and asked how your church was doing and what success looked like, how might you respond?
That is going to be a lot harder. I would start with careful attention to what the book of James names as the way to discern. How does this place wield, protect, and talk about power? How do they use their words? Who is most valued here? But then I would turn to the fruit of the Spirit. But notice that unlike sight, none of these things can be judged quickly or easily. Because we need faith, we will have to have discernment, and it will probably take a lot more time.
When I was at Talbot, I remember someone saying that their answer to how is ministry going? was ask me in 10 years.
Your answer is interesting, I was thinking it might be more towards as overseers and pastors, are we being faithful to what God has given us to shepherd and equip? Without thinking about numbers or budget growth.
Sako, that would be the case as well, but what "being faithful" actually looks like can be hard to discern. It is interesting to see how Scripture distinguishes between false teachers and faithful teachers. The book of James is key here I think.