Understanding Purpose in Christian Ministry (Part 1)

Sharing is caring!

By Pastor Raphael Adegoke 

Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” (John 12:27)

Blessed be the name of our Lord. Jesus Christ, who has granted us access to all the blessings in the Heavenly places through his death and the gift of life He has given us. It was awesome discussing

We shall begin a  series this week titled “Purpose”. May we receive grace to receive all that God has got in stock for us!

Life does not begin until purpose is discovered and it is not fulfilled until it is lived. While the laity can still be excused, though none should, the clergy should never ever be excused for lack of purpose discovery and fulfilment. Why? Many lives and destinies are attached to us and so cannot afford to gamble.

Any minister that would not discover purpose, especially ministry purpose, will put many lives in jeopardy. It will become the case of a blind man leading the blind and the end of all will be catastrophic.  “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (Matthew 15:14)

What is purpose? Purpose is the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. Life is such that is designed in such a way that there is no room for trial and error. This is because it has got no spare and cannot be unwound. That is why it requires precision.

It is unfortunate today to see ministers without definite ministerial purpose. It isn’t that God hasn’t given them purpose, but it is either they are yet to discover it, they have rejected it or have abandoned it.  Such are those who aren’t consistent in life. They jump from one purpose to another and most times follow things that trend. Such ministers often live by imitation, they lack direction, go to programmes to look for what to imitate, join associations to find relevance, e.t.c., all because they have got no personal divine template.

Life will often try to define who we are and give us a purpose by default which is the case of every natural man. Sometimes, parents, spouses, siblings, guardians, friends, bosses, denominations, affluence, influence, e.t.c., offer us purpose as against the purpose of God for our lives. It is certain that  purpose must be lived. So it becomes natural that a minister without a well-defined purpose will live another man’s life and fulfill another man’s purpose.

There are times we discover purpose but get distracted, probably due to the glory this world has got to offer us, the pressures it mounts on us or the pains it brings us.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

The Lord is set to teach, correct, rebuke, instruct and train us so that we can become grounded and empowered for purpose discovery and fulfillment in the ministry as we take a spiritual tour on “PURPOSE”.

15 From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17)

Pastor Raphael Adegoke is a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (Nigeria & Overseas) and a Lecturer in Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary.