The Equipping Ministry, Student Workbook, SW15

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T H E E Q U I P P I N G M I N I S T R Y

Likable, but Not Faithful

Oftentimes we do not actually employ the lists of the Bible for leaders and teachers but rely on more worldly standards to determine who our leaders are. Unfortunately, we are sometimes willing to compromise certain standards laid down in Scripture, especially if we are unable to find teachers and others to fill the vacancies we have in ministry. Traits such as educational accomplishment, personal like-ability, good and/or successful experience in business, key financial contribution and other kinds of standards are used to determine who represents the Church, and even who is placed in roles of teaching and influence. Undoubtedly, there were good reasons for the apostles to demand that teachers be reliable and faithful, as well as their prohibitions regarding not entrusting the truth to someone who was not. Why do you think the standard of faithfulness and reliability ranked so high in the apostles’ mind regarding the standard for teachers, those entrusted with the truth of the Scriptures and the duty to equip others for the work of the ministry? One of the most difficult skills to learn in an effective teaching ministry is to speak the truth, and yet to do so in love. Surely, there are believers who are “truth-oriented” who can produce devastating discouragement among the believers. Can you imagine a teaching ministry where only the truth was emphasized, with no sense of care, grace, mercy, or understanding associated with it? Such an orientation could deeply demoralize even the strongest Christian in their walk and ministry for the Lord. On the other hand, we have known those who are virtually exclusively “love-oriented” in their approach to teaching the Bible. Regardless of what believers are doing, saying, and thinking, the response is the same: we must “love,” yet in a way that excludes honesty, truth, and holiness. Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 4 to “speak the truth in love” is more than balancing the two, it is refusing to ever speak the truth except in love, and never loving without being informed by the truth. How are teachers of the Word of God meant to express this basic apostolic injunction in their ministries today? Of the Truth or of Love–Or of Both?

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