The Business of People

Being involved in some kind of youth ministry my entire adult life, I have had my fair share of interactions with people. These interactions might be in a conversation in which there is a dialog between me and one or more persons. It may be a time of lecture in which I'm speaking and others are listening. Interaction has always been one of two things positive or negative.

In ministry I deal with touchy parts of peoples lives. Where a dietician interacts on the physical or a counselor interacts on the mental, I as a youth pastor deal with the spiritual.

Interacting with people about beliefs and proper living is a touchy subject. However, our culture has strayed away from agreeing to speak Biblical truths. We don't want to hurt peoples feelings. We don't want offend anybody. We don't want to lose people in our churches and our ministries. We have chosen our cultures decision against absolute truth over the truth that will (ironically enough) set us free.

Ephesians 5:1,2 says:
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Paul is not saying love people and don't call them out on their faults. That seems to be a definition that has been given "love" these days. It seems to me we have decided instead to say something like, "Tell people about Jesus and love them." That's very well and good but where does discipleship come into play? Where does accountability and action happen?

As a youth pastor (director, minister, guy, etc.) and more importantly as a follower of Christ I have a responsibility to not only proclaim the gospel of Jesus to people, but to not sugar-coat it and explain it for what it really is.

Being a Christian isn't easy, it takes dieing to self every day. It takes discipline in growing in my relationship with my Lord and Savior and it requires me to be honest about the gospel.

People don't like this and they don't want this. They don't want to hear a gospel that says how horrible of sinner they are or that they need a Savior. They want something that tells them how wonderful they are and the "twelve essentials to having a better life."

I write all of this to say a simple thing that I have begun to realize in my life in ministry:
Not everyone's going to accept the gospel that needs to be taught. Don't give up on those people, BUT invest in those people that truly want to hear the gospel that takes the focus off of us and puts the focus completely on Jesus and what he did for us.