Have we outsmarted Jesus?

Have you ever considered how some of the ways today’s respected leaders suggest we shouldn’t do ministry are precisely the ways Jesus did ministry?

In some ways, it seems we’ve outsmarted Jesus.

Take a look at the conferences and literature that are intended to guide the American Church. Our American Church culture seems like the American political system – you do it this way or that way. You must choose a side. We have party lines built around theology, mission style, music, expository preaching, and the list goes on.

While much of what is being said and written is valid, I think we need to remind ourselves that Jesus grew His ministry and influence not by being loyal to a system but by following the will of the Father to build His kingdom among all people.

Consider His experience in John 4 with the Samaritan woman and what happened with her neighbors afterward. At various points in the telling of this story, I’m convinced that many of our contemporary authors, ministry leaders and conference speakers would say Jesus may have been well-intended, but was wrong.

Well…to be fair, I don’t know anyone who would say Jesus was wrong, but they would say it openly and boldly if it were absolutely anyone else doing the same thing.

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”          John 4:7 ESV

Here are four perceived mistakes in the John 4 ministry encounter:

Mistake 1: Jesus asked the woman at the well to serve Him instead of serving her himself.

Mistake 2: He skipped all standard relationship-building efforts and spoke quickly and directly to her personal situation. 

Mistake 3: He abruptly confronted the error in the woman’s cultural and religious belief system by speaking exclusive, eternal truth.

Mistake 4: After the woman went away telling others about Jesus, He welcomed everyone who was attracted to come, spend time with Him and be amazed at Him even though He didn’t plan to stay or leave an apostle to carry on the ministry.

I’m a seminary grad and know that, in context, Jesus didn’t enter this situation in Samaria with the intent of showing us how to build our ministry. He did, however, show us that there is more than one way of doing ministry that the Father will bless.

Living on mission for God should be done with a sense of freedom. What works in Samaria doesn’t have to be duplicated everywhere else.

In today’s church culture, I fear that even Jesus would be critiqued by colleagues and leaders more than He would be appreciated.The spirit of the age has affected the collective mind. We feel we must dissect and critique, that we must choose sides!

My spirit says, “Ugh.”

I suggest everyone of us critique less, and celebrate more. Let’s be thankful for the abundance of victory and the abundance in the variety of ways Jesus chooses to grow His ministry.

In light of some spirited conversations I’ve been having across the country about missional versus attractional approaches to ministry, I hope you’ll take a look at this article. I’m a fan of both approaches, and I think this article strikes a good tone.

Be encouraged, EDA family – God is with you for the building of His kingdom! I’m praying you get refreshed and re-charged this summer.