Quick Question

Religious September 2nd, 2006

A quick question that I’ve been wondering about since it popped into my head during a meeting with a handful of other ministers in SW Michigan on Wednesday….

When did it become a minister’s job to convince people that they (should) want to be more holy?

It seems that a minister ought to help people grow in holiness… that s/he ought to equip them to develop a more mature faith… that s/he ought to be a companion, friend, and yes even a leader on that pilgrimage of spiritual maturity… But why should we stoop to convincing people?

If people aren’t honestly interested in spiritual development, can our meager attempts at convincing them that “yes, indeed, they actually do want it” really do any good anyhow?

I don’t think so.

As a matter of fact, I’m coming to the conclusion that it’s something of a waste to try to convince people that they (should) want to be more holy…perhaps ministers should focus on those who actually do want to develop — I wonder how busy we’d be?

Grace and Peace,
`tim

2 Responses to “Quick Question”

  1. Augustinian Says:
    September 4th, 2006 at 9:23 am

    The job of the minister of Christ in this regard is to portray for his hearers the beauty of holiness and the freedom which obedience to the precepts of Christ brings over against the bondage which subservience to the evil one brings. Unless struck with the splendor of God’s holiness and the joy which man can have in reflecting this holiness, all the convincing in the worl will be all for naught.

    Good thoughts.

    Jon

  2. James Brumm Says:
    September 4th, 2006 at 11:42 am

    It became our job to convince people when, in the US, land of relentless individualism and consumerism, the idea of shopping around for a church where you heard what you wanted to hear . . . I mean, what spoke to your Spirit, of course . . . came into vogue (a harmful side effect of the Great Awakenings). From that, we get the idea that, if we’re doing God’s work, we’ll grow numerically (hardly borne out by the gospels or anything but the first couple chapters of Acts). Only the Holy Spirit can lead people into believing, and, even then, that pesky free will can get in the way. If God can’t cause belief, who are we to presume we can?

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