A MINISTRY TO BLESS ALL MINISTRIES
A MINISTRY TO BLESS ALL MINISTRIES
Can you think of a ministry that will bless all other ministries? If you could, would it not be wise to invest time and resources in such a ministry?
There are many worthy ministries--the homelessness, discipleship, turning youth to Christ, helping people with addictions or in physical prisons, the persecuted, Bible translation, sending the Gospel to all nations, the political needs of your country, or giving aid to refugees, to name a few. When the Church is unified in the way Jesus prayed, whatever the ministry you are concerned about, the increase to that work will be like a big jump in the interest rate for your investment (or like adding fuel to the fire). I am not talking about perfect unity, but a oneness that the world can clearly see and identify.
In John 17:20-23, Christ prayed for the unity of the Church “that the world may believe.” Christ would not have prayed such a request if it were not possible—a supernatural oneness provided by the Father as Jesus has with the Father. When this happens, the world will be drawn to Christ, and many will be converted to God’s way. The growth will naturally influence governments and industries. Also, more people will be struck by a call from Christ for a ministry that God has gifted them. So naturally, more time and resources will flow into all ministries.
Others have a ministry to call the Church to unity. Usually, their efforts are focused on trying to get local church leaders to work together. They have done excellent groundwork; the field is ripe for harvest. I propose gatherings of Church leaders, eventually supported and encouraged by their church members, to confess our failure at oneness and, like Jesus, ask the Father to provide the oneness we need. You could be part of this effort to renew the unity that will empower the Church and make the Church the witness Jesus prayed for.