What is it that will “make” your ministry? Every minister wants to know the secret. What is it that will make my ministry grow, progress, and thrive? Sometimes we simply want to know what will make it survive. The answer is the same in every case.
The most important part of your ministry is your daily routine. What you do everyday will determine the course of your ministry.
Last week, I heard Dr. Rod Masteller preach. Rod is the former pastor of Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport and the immediate past president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. He preached to preachers and other ministers. He had our attention all the way through as he spoke of depending on God and making our lives ones of prayer and thanksgiving. He really got our attention when he asked the question: “What is the most important part of your minstry?” After giving several important suggestions, he gave the answer.
Your ministry will be defined by your daily routine. That is the answer, of course. At this very moment we are determining our future by what we repeatedly do. You will become what you do over and over. If you practice kindness, you will be thought of as kind. If you let your moodiness or anger go unchecked, you will learn anger and bitterness. You are what you repeatedly do. A similar way to think is that we are the sum of our choices and decisions. All of this is really good news because we get to choose our preferred future. You make the choice every day.
Years ago, I heard John Maxwell say something to this effect. “It’s amazing how little you can get done in a year but astounding how much you can accomplish in ten years.” That is the law of daily routine. If you spend time in prayer, Bible reading, and Bible study, you will grow in spiritual things. If you neglect those areas, you will neglect your relationship with God. Your daily routine will determine in which direction you move.
It’s the same way, of course, with your study regimen. The person who “routinely” studies and reads will open up a wealth of understanding and growth. Your daily routine determines what the future will be like.
It works that way in outreach as well. Many ministers want a minstry without work–one that just happens. The effective ministry does day by day and week by week outreach, ministry, and witnessing. That’s what Rod Masteller meant by saying that your daily routine will determine your ministry. For that reason, today is the most important day of your life.
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5 Responses
DEAR PASTOR WAYLON, I HAVE BEEN ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WALLOWING AROUND IN MY OWN CHAOS. I HAVE BEEN A WIDOW FOR ALMOST 8 YRS. I AM 61 AND BLESSED WITH AN AMAZING FAMILY AND YET I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THE MAGIC BULLET FOR THE LONLINESS AND JEALOUSY I FEEL TOWARDS PEOPLE WHO HAVE WHAT I NO LONGER HAVE. I MISS THE HUGS , SHARING, AND THE DAILY “I LOVE YOUS”. I WAS BLESSED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND YOUR CHURCH AND NOW TO RECEIVE YOUR ONLINE BLOGS AND SERMONS. I ALWAYS CONSIDERED MY SELF A FAITHFUL FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST, BUT THROUGH PRAYER AND MEDITATION HAVE SUDDENLY REALIZED THAT I WAS NOT PREPARED TO BE A FOLLOWER. EACH DAY WAS NOT GOD,S PLAN FOR ME, IT WAS JUST ANOTHER DISORGANIZED MESS. I HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE JESUS’ HAND AND LET HIM BE MY PARTNER AND LET YOU BE MY SHEPHERD TO HELP GIVE ME THE TOOLS THROUGH THE WORD AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL MESSAGES. I AM NOW PREPARED TO AWAKEN AND PLLAN MY DAY WITH GOD. I WILL NOW REMIND MYSELF OF PSALM 121 THAT WAS CHOSEN FOR OUR WEDDING AND WHAT I HAD CHOSEN FOR MY HUSBAND’S FUNERAL AND NOT DREAD IT, BUT MEDITATE AND REJOICE IN IT. THANKS FOR BEING A BLESSING IN MY LIFE AND GIVING ME MY DAILY PLAN FOR ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD. BLESSINGS AND LOVE!!! GAIL BUTZ
AMEN!!!
Dr. Bailey,
I was wondering if there is an effort to connect people who have lost their spouses within First Baptist Church Covington. I know Chuck, in my Sunday School Class, has expressed similar feelings. Thanks for all you do in and out of the pulpit.
Morning by morning, new Mercies I see. Great is Thy Faithfulness…
Not at this time. There is a group called “Grief Share” where some of the same issues are discussed.