Lesson in Ministry and Life

It’s always interesting where you can find references to Jesus and his ministry outside the normal church-based places. As I was working on the sermon I preached this morning I followed a link on a study page and came up with an article by Martin B. Copenhaver from the Christian Century from 15 years ago, still posted on the Internet. The original location is not the surprise, obviously. It was that the whole article was posted on a business management reference library page. Jesus did not just teach us about heaven- he taught us about living everyday life here and now. In so doing, as the original article indicated, we also learn how to do ministry- and how not to.

The disciples need to get away.

Remember that they had just returned from their first mission trip. It had been their start at what was going to be a life-long journey and they discovered that in ministry they were able to do much of what they had seen Jesus do. They found power and hope, healing and strength. People responded. They weren’t just practicing in some training session- they had authority. They were successful.

But as they sat with Jesus they also found out that they were wiped out- exhausted. You can almost see and feel their strength seeping out of them as the adrenaline that has been pumping for so long disappears. They sink lower and lower into the ground.

Who among us doesn’t know that feeling. A long week at work or school or home. The boss is away and you have a crisis or three. One of the kids gets sick and the other two get ornery. The computer crashes just before you save the final draft of your homework. Find me the sofa, the remote, and let me become a couch potato.

So Jesus does what he knows is needed. He piles them on the boat and heads across the lake. Let’s find a deserted place where you can recuperate. It’s time for a retreat. Jesus knew what was going on. He himself has been careful not to let it happen to him. It is called, in our modern trend to give names to everything- compassion fatigue. It’s what happens when we just can’t muster even one more ounce of caring for anyone- often including ourselves.

A number of years ago we took a vacation to Jamaica to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We got a good deal at one of those all-inclusive resorts where you get your meals and refreshments and just about anything else you need in one package price. It was great- relaxing, refreshing, warm and sunny for New Year’s Day.

One day we took the shuttle into the nearby town to go through the local crafts market. Actually it was a section of a street set-aside with little shacks and lean-tos where local crafts people displayed their wares. They had some beautiful things, but all three of us were overwhelmed by the poverty and the begging that took place. Yes, some of it was part of the show- so to speak- but the poverty we saw was real.

All three of us had an incredibly strong reaction. Here we were staying at this great resort which did help the local economy, while within shouting distance was sorrow and fear that we couldn’t even begin to touch. We had compassion- but we were limited. There was only so much- and we weren’t able to give.

Even in the moment of their greatest success up to that point, they were stuck, too, when they got back home. No one, not even God’s appointed apostles can give constantly. Only God can do that. God never suffers from compassion fatigue. A wonderful gift He gave to Jesus.

Then what happens when they get to the other side? There were more people. It was endless. The needs go on forever. Literally, there is no stopping it. You help one person, two more are at your door.

This soon plays into a certain approach to life that can tear us apart. There are two conflicting thoughts- first- if it is to get done- I have to do it. The second- But I am sick and tired of doing it all the time.

How much more do we think we can do?

Sometimes the answer is nothing. Absolutely nothing. I’m done. Which is exactly what Jesus said to the disciples. When all those people showed up at the shore, now to see the disciples as well as Jesus, he told them to stay in the boat. Wait here, he says, I am rested and ready. You need to take a break. Let me do it.

In other words, it can happen without them. In fact many things do happen without us. Some of you may be familiar with the famous 12-step programs that have helped many over the past 75 years. The very first step of the 12- and the one that is often said has to be worked 100% is that we are powerless. Absolutely powerless over most things in our lives. I had one particular recovering friend who kidded himself about his old grandiosity and acting as if he had even the power of God. He would comment on how the world had changed- communism fell, the Berlin Wall was destroyed- all after he stopped playing God and let God do it himself. He was making a joking- but serious, commentary on our human tendency to want to control everything.

This is why I found the kernel for this sermon from a Christian magazine posted on a business/secular website. This is an important part of life- not just ministry. We cannot- must not- try to do this life alone. And by that I don’t mean that we just turn to God and ask God to give us more and more power to do it ourselves. We are not to forget that there are others to help us- and we are the others to help someone else.

God’s work as any work has to be a team effort. In the church we call this the mission of the community. We are in this together- not just the pastor or board members. We work in unity as Paul calls us in Ephesians: built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.