St. Djan Darada Fellowship

One thing that distorts Christianity is the preconceived notions that some clergy and aspirants believe their ministry should look like. We have an ideal of what we want to do, the structure we should have, the groups we want to organize, how and what we should teach and preach. There is a neatly packaged way to serve the Lord we have developed from tradition, social expectations, televised and even social media. If we follow “the plan,” except for the normal bumps and bruises of church leadership, everything will work out.

The problem with preconceived ministry is that it ignores the possibility that God’s will may be completely different. This can be overcome if we humble ourselves and are receptive to change direction for His glory and our salvation. But the problem becomes a danger if we are really seeking our own glory and taking salvation as an already granted status. Many ministers and ministries begin honestly enough based on what was always known. God does call some servants to typical pastorates, diaconates, lay leadership, and serving positions. However, He also calls us to go into deeper waters, cast nets on the other side, even to get out of the boat and walk on the wind-driven sea with Him.

An unwillingness to go beyond our preconceptions limits our knowledge of God’s mercy and seeks to mold Him in our image and likeness. Imagine Peter not daring to step out of the boat to walk with the Lord. Sure, he did lose faith in the face of the wind. But Jesus lifted the disciple out of the sea and taught him a very valuable lesson in Christian living. What if this same man who had heard the Lord’s life-giving wisdom not gone into the deep for a catch? Peter and his fellow fishermen were out all night and caught nothing. “We had a bad night, Lord. We’ll try again later this evening instead.” “Who is he on the shore to tell us what side of the boat the fish are on?”

Following the familiar would have kept the disciples from a fuller experience of grace. Saving wisdom without the will to act on the word of its source is wasted. Resurrection without the sense to seek its possibility still lies in a grave. Even though we struggle and fall in our storms, the Savior invites us to faithfully walk with Him. “Come. Go out into the deep. Cast your net on the other side.” We aren’t called to search out comfortable laurels to rest on. Being a disciple involves taking risk.

I don’t suggest that we should pursue every idea that pops in our heads “in Jesus Name.” A consistent prayer life and wise counsel must always be sought before any endeavor, especially in ministry. Preconceived notions limit God’s grace in our lives. Be ready to abandon them for the sake of salvation.

Scriptures: Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 14:25-33, John 21:1-14