Pointed or Pointless
Focus in Ministry
A short, searching book for ministers and every believer who serves: ministry is not about you. It is about God, and about serving people in His will.
- Published
- 1 July 2020
- Edition
- First edition
- ISBN
- 978-9988-53-949-8
- Pages
- 44
- Category
- Ministry, Christian Living
About the book
Pointed or Pointless asks a question every servant of God has to face: what is the point of my ministry? Through Jonah’s offence, the tower of Babel, Sarah and Hannah, and the disciples’ argument over who was the greatest, it calls ministers and believers away from rivalry, self-promotion and selfish ambition, and back to serving people in the will of God.
The book is short enough to read in one sitting and pointed enough to stay with you.
Read a sample: Ministry is Not About You
Jonah took offense when his prophecy of doom was reverted by God after the people of Nineveh repented and prayed. This was the very reason he had a hard time responding to God’s call to Nineveh in the first place. He feared he would be seen as a false prophet if the people’s repentance caused God to change His mind. When it happened, he was angry at God. He didn’t know that God’s prophetic ministry to him was not for maintaining his own credibility and prophetic track record. God asked him, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” That question is to many offended men and women of God. Is it right for you to be offended about what someone else thinks or says about you? Can’t we be content with our obedience to God or repentant of our disobedience without concern for what onlookers may think? Or is it right for you to be offended over what God has chosen to do, whom He favors or pardons?
This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” (Jonah 4:1-4, NLT)
We shouldn’t be as mindful of our reputation in the eyes of people, as we are about fulfilling God’s will alone. Ministry is not about making you a hero. It isn’t about making you the most anointed or most credible. It’s not about exalting you above the frailties of men. Ministry is not about having all your prayers answered or receiving all that you decree. It is not about doing well financially or having more members.
It’s not about being anything. It’s not about proving a point. It’s not about being the best. It’s not about carrying a title or being better than everyone or someone else. It’s not about being vindicated or shaming haters. It is about being a servant and serving in the will of God. Period! Stop being conceited and vengeful. Die! And let Christ live.
Ministry is about God.
Lines from the book
“UnChristly ambitions do not produce Christly results.”
“Your religion may be intact. But your heart is displaced.”
“A boast in God doesn't make men gods. It makes God ‘GOD’.”
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