Probing Questions
Ron submitted some great questions posed by missiologist Gailyn Van Rheenen's group put out to those disciples desiring to plant ne communities.
- Given your passions and spiritual gifts, what do you believe God is calling you to do?
- If you knew you would not fail, what direction would you take your ministry?
- Considering your already full schedule, what will you stop doing in order to make space to do what you believe God is calling you to do?
- How will you know 6 months from now that God has been working through you?
Are these questions for folks seeking to "enter the ministry" or "the basic fundamental call to follow Jesus"?
How does this relate to Mark 8:34 and then the incident with "the rich young ruler" in 10:17-30?
- Given your passions and spiritual gifts, what do you believe God is calling you to do?
- If you knew you would not fail, what direction would you take your ministry?
- Considering your already full schedule, what will you stop doing in order to make space to do what you believe God is calling you to do?
- How will you know 6 months from now that God has been working through you?
Are these questions for folks seeking to "enter the ministry" or "the basic fundamental call to follow Jesus"?
How does this relate to Mark 8:34 and then the incident with "the rich young ruler" in 10:17-30?
Hi Carm and Co.
Those are great questions, aren’t they? Reading through them, the next one could be so when are you starting?
Ron adds a relevant question of his own however, when he asks if these are aimed just at “professionals” or are they for everyone. Me? I’m an everyone person – all have gifts; all are called; most diaries are full; few reflect.
However, for all our gifts and abilities, ministry is not based on our own resources - something that is a danger for many who have been involved in ministry long enough to “wing it” on occasion, and that goes back to the tree of knowledge of good and evil and caters to our independence. The point of Mark 8:34 is all ministry is anchored in Jesus. The source of God’s mission is … God. Without Christ, we are not able to produce the righteousness God requires. Everyone is capable of doing stuff, but that is wood, hay and stubble in the end. Quite frightening really.
Mark 8 has a strong link to Mark 10 because the rich young ruler shows us that we can hold nothing back. Just keeping the law doesn’t cut it in the end. The point of the story wasn’t that Jesus wanted this chap’s wealth; Jesus wanted his heart. His wealth could be linked to the “buried talents” that weren’t productive. That’s also a bit of a jolt, but a good one as we can bog down in how the western church may be missing something and overlook the fact that as individuals often times so are we (am I ).
There’s also a link to the previous posts – 21st March on “mission and incarnation” as well as “from the fringe” post of 6th May … the fringe there all the time but it is often not recognized as ministry, which more conjures up visions of platforms and classrooms. One of the most rewarding things I’m doing at the mo is yakking with a bunch of recovering alkies and druggies at a rehab nearby. Great people – open, searching and hilariously funny. Doesn’t get much better.
Blessings,
E.
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