Ministry is a Four-Letter Word
By Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Love is the Ticket
“One of the greatest of all defenses of the faith is love of the brothers and sisters in the family. Now, I want to challenge you in this area, because I think if you attempt to minister without love, you’re going to hit bottom really quick, and you’ll learn to fake it. You can get even good at that. But if you really want to serve flocks that God sends you to, and people God has you touch, and individuals who come across your path, love is the ticket.”
The Power of Love in a Congregation
“The enemy goes to town when we fight with each other and the devil loves it when there are church fights and squabbles. And there’s just a history of that. But how great to be around congregations that love each other and are loved by the pastor and love him in return and there is a dynamic that accompanies that. There is an affection, there is a warmth, there is a willingness to forgive, to work with, to serve, to spend time alongside. You don’t feel like it’s a sacrifice, you feel like it’s a privilege to be there with them, because you love them. Love does that. Love gets you past the barriers of the flesh and Jesus, knowing that, gives them a command to love one another.”
Show the Mark
“‘A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you love one another. So that all men will know that you’re My disciples, if you have love for one another’ (John 13:34–35). An ‘if’ is involved. If you obey, you will wear the badge Christ gave, but since this is a command, it can be violated. The point is that it is possible to be a Christian without showing the mark, but if we expect non-Christians to know that we are Christians, we must show that mark, and the distinguishing mark is love.”
Give Love Away
“You finally learn after a while that this love that Jesus says is a command, is just invaluable. Teach the truth and love the people. Frankly, it’s a lot easier to just teach the truth, but to love means you give something of yourself away. Give it away. Give it away, for goodness’ sake. Frankly, chances are really good they will have never seen anything like it.”
Witnessing for Christ with Your Love
“You know what else? Those without Christ in your neighborhood will not need any convincing that Christ is who He said He is, because they’re witnessing Christ in this relationship.”
Additional Resources
First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.
Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.
Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your finger tips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.
Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.
About the author
Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.
