Purpose for Being

One key ingredient to pursuing excellence in ministry is to make sure people understand the "idea" or purpose behind who they are and what they do. In business, understanding the “idea behind the work” is in some ways more important that the work itself. The same is true for the church. Without a right conception of life and service, individuals can be skewed by self interest, lack of direction and emotional dissociation. Life and ministry can become nothing more than task oriented activity and one's joy can easily be squelched. In some instances, I think I have observed people abandon their ministry or relationship with Christ do to a lack of purpose and meaning.

In many ways, our life and ministry should be viewed as an opportunity to practice being the best we can be. In Quaker history this is referred to as "practicing the presence of Christ." Gerber presents a unique analogy of this concept in The E Myth Revisited. He says that “a business is like a martial arts practice hall, a dojo, a place you go to practice being the best you can be. The true combat in a dojo is not between one person and another as most people believe it to be. The true combat in a martial arts practice hall is between the people within themselves” (201).

I think this example applies to the Christian’s life and ministry as well. In essence we are practicing the life of Jesus through our daily experience and service in His kingdom. This is a common courtesy we can extend to self and others once we discover what the idea or purpose is for our life and service. What is our purpose? Romans 8:28-29 states to “be conformed into the likeness of Jesus and to know that God will use all things in our life experience to this end.” We are called to live “in” and “out” our relationship with Christ.

If we struggle with embracing this personal life view or with the concept of dying to self and living for others then the focus must be turned inward. James 4:1 stated, “Where to these quarrels and fights come from? Do they not come from the things that war within you?” James’ admonition for inner peace is “do not be double-minded” (verse 8). Or in other words, know and embrace the idea behind your existence. Pursuing excellence in life and service begins with integration, the singleness of focus and purpose.

At Willoughby Hills Friends Church we believe in the power and provision of Jesus Christ to integrate our lives with His. A power that can transform our innermost being into a relationship and likeness with Jesus and to provide the necessary resources to live out His example every moment of our existence. Do you understand this as the “idea” behind your life?

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian