As social media and large conferences have become part of the fabric of the evangelical sub-culture, ministry can easily devolve into a means of making a name for oneself. Potential fame from the stage or recognition on social media tend to lure ministers into a wretched pursuit of self-promotion. The pursuit of a new ministry opportunity or position can simply become a way of enlarging one’s platform.
In such a context, it is important to remember that, according to the Scriptures, ministry is received, not seized.
Paul emphasizes this reality in his letter to the Colossians. He claims, “I became a [minister of the church] according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known” (Col 1:25). Paul understood the source of his ministry position; it was “from God” and “given to” him. Paul did not strike out to gain a position of prestige in the Christian community via itinerant preaching. Rather, he understood that his position in ministry—his “stewardship”—was something that he received from the Lord.
This truth lines up with other passages as well. The author of Hebrews, for example, writing about the high priesthood of the Old Testament, asserts, “No one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’” (Heb 5:4–5). Neither Aaron nor Jesus himself sought out honor through ministry. Rather, they received the honor of high priesthood from the Lord. One finds similar scenarios in the lives of Moses, Samuel, and David, to name just a few. None of these sought to make a name for themselves as leaders of God’s people. They simply walked with the Lord and allowed him to define the nature and scope of their ministries.
Preachers and aspiring ministers today do well to follow this biblical precedent. Instead of seeing our ministries as a means of gaining name recognition and praise, let us keep our heads down and our hands on the plow, knowing that ministry positions and opportunities are given by God, not grasped by us.
And if that leads us into obscurity, then praise God.
