Your effectiveness in ministry (and anyone who is “in Christ” has some) comes down to four basic elements:
First, how well equipped are you for the job? Any ministry in which you are going to greatly influence people and accomplish great things for God must be done in God’s power, not our own. We are the vessel, but He is the power.

Second, learning to let go; we too often fall into the people pleasing trap instead of focusing on the God pleasing truth. Living your life before God simply means living as though God were your only audience and judge. Love people, but love and please God more.

Third, our focus needs to be on hearing and following the leadership of the Lord. There is a lot of noise out there in the world and voices calling out to you, telling you that you should do this, you should do that, you should go here or there, you should change this or that … If you want to be pulled in a million directions and spend most of your time spinning in circles, listen to those voices. If your desire is to gain ground and make in impact for God, listen to His voice.

Fourth, be honest. Sometimes it is hard to be honest, especially with ourselves, so you have to enlist a close friend to tell you the truth and help you sort some things out — but find a way to be honest. What difference does your ministry make?

Well, 12 men took theirs serious and turned the world upside down, so you decide how big of a difference you want to make. “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”…“When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done.” (Luke 9:1-2, 10) One day we will have this same opportunity.

Dr. William Burnham is pastor of Point of Grace Church in Covington. He can be reached at burnhamw@charter.net.