In this series of postings, I’m slowly working my way through Charles Bridges’ classic book Christian Ministry.
Christian Ministry (Charles Bridges) – Chapter 2
In Chapter 2, Bridges writes about the dignity of being called to lead God’s people and the corresponding responsibility such leaders carry.
The Dignity of our Calling
The Christian Ministry, writes Bridges, has a dignity far above any earthly honor. He lists two reasons for this assertion:
1) A person becomes a “fellow-worker” with God. Christian Ministry formed the calling, work and delight of Jesus himself, the Lord of Glory, during his last years on earth.
2) Christian Ministry also has a dignity of its own because it involves the eternity destiny of people. “The highest dignity, if not the greatest happiness, that human nature is capable of … is to become the conveyer of God’s truth to others.” Rightly understood, this humbles us.
Christian leaders handle high and holy things. The true Scriptural standard for the work of a Christian minister is the fact that “we are allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel… and so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who tries our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
The Responsibility of our Calling
Christian ministers have a great responsibility. “Neglect not, Paul wrote, the gift of God that is in you. Stir it up with the daily exercises of faith, self-denial, and prayer. “The moment we permit ourselves to think lightly of the Christian ministry, or right-arm is withered.”
Bridges asserts, “A sense of the dignity of Christian ministry” – accurately formed, carefully maintained and habitually exercised” is of the highest importance.
Because of this high standard, “dignity of character” of a Christian minister” must correspond with the dignity of the task. The glory of the ministry goes hand in hand with the humility of the servant. We are at best “unprofitable servants.”
