In our session meetings we have recently finished going through the book,
“The Elder and His Work” by David Dickson.
This has been a great little book to go through with the elders. I would highly recommend it for study in session or even as a gift to your elders. We have had many profitable discussions stemming from the content of what we read. The final chapter was especially helpful and challenging to me. There was one quote in particular that stood out:
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Humbled for past unworthiness, let elders work on steadily and prayer- fully, looking for and expecting the blessing. There will be fruit of our sowing, for that is promised; and usually we shall see fruit, though that is not promised.” (p. 126).
Many times in ministry it is easy to get sucked into a “need” to see fruit. We “need” to see fruit in our ministry to affirm we are doing a good job, to let us know we are on the right path, to give us a pat on the back. As Dickson notes there is nothing wrong with looking for and expecting the blessing of fruit – in fact, we should do this. But we should not “need” and desire the fruit as if our very life and ministry depended upon it. If the fruit, even the promised fruit, becomes a “need” in our ministry then we have made this great blessing of God an idol in our lives. And once we open ourselves to idolatry other dangers will follow. When fruit becomes a “need” in ministry the offense of the Gospel will be watered down. When fruit becomes a “need” hard doctrines will not be taught. When fruit becomes a “need” the worship of God will be compromised. When fruit becomes a “need” sin will cease to be sin. When fruit becomes a “need”, though we may seem alive and well on the outside, we will be dead inside. The fruit in our ministry is not enough to sustain us; it is not what gives us life.
Our only “need” then, in ministry (and life), should be the grace of God; the grace that saves; the grace that forgives; the grace that revives; the grace that sustains and the grace that enables such broken and shattered vessels, as we are, to be instruments in magnifying His glorious Name. The amazing grace of God through Jesus Christ is our only “need” in ministry.
The promise that God gives to us is not that we would actually see the fruit – though often, by His Gracious Hand, we do. The promise is simply that there will be fruit. If we are faithful in our ministry it will come. His Word does not return void (Is. 55:11). So, be on the look out. The fruit is there. Perhaps we cannot see it yet, but it is there. Or perhaps the fruit is just around the corner, waiting to leap out at us when we are struggling with discouragement. Wherever it is, it will come and it will be revealed. If not in the days of our earthly life and ministry, most certainly it will be seen in the life to come (1 Cor. 3:12-15). So, diligently seek the fruit; but, sustain yourself on the Grace of God alone!
