Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Acts 20:13-38; Task Driven

Paul openly declared that he was task driven. We admire business people who are task driven; we even think that only task driven people can make it in business. We associate task driven people with politics and change. Yet when it comes to ministry, it often is looked down upon. That has always bothered me.

As Paul explained his ministry to the elders, it all sounded very personal. He talked of relationships, working, teaching and even crying with people. Paul's task was to proclaim the news of Jesus but he knew that meant personal communication and relationships. We often focus upon Paul as the synagogue speaker and guy who caused riots. But this recounting of personal history includes three years of less glamorous discipling.

I think we all tire of people that try to make the church of Jesus into a business of Jesus. I tire of new models, trends and programs. I tire of the constant analysis. No one ever complains about too many caring relationships though. I have yet to here anyone frustrated because their congregation is way too much like a family. Love doesn't seem to have a max. So when the task is people not programs, no one complains. Maybe then there is a place for task oriented people, as long as task oriented people (like me) remember their place -- which is in relationships.

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