{"id":32094,"date":"2022-09-10T15:56:08","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:56:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/why-active-relational-presence-matters-in-ministry\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:56:08","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:56:08","slug":"why-active-relational-presence-matters-in-ministry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/why-active-relational-presence-matters-in-ministry\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Active Relational Presence Matters in Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Dan Hyun<\/em><\/p>\n

If we polled pastors about the most important aspects of shepherding, we\u2019d receive a wide range of responses. From preaching, to prayer, to counseling, to discipling, there are many vital elements God uses to impact others.<\/p>\n

I believe a ministry of presence undergirds all of these in various ways.<\/p>\n

One conviction I\u2019ve gleaned from reading Rich Plass and Jim Cofield\u2019s The Relational Soul<\/em> is we\u2019re relationally designed people. Therefore, growth and change happen through the presence of others.<\/p>\n

I have the tendency to believe more knowledge automatically leads to more transformation. Yes, God uses good information and sound doctrine. But we should be mindful not to overestimate the transformative power of just more knowledge.<\/p>\n

The Model of Jesus\u2019 Ministry<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In His ministry, Jesus didn\u2019t merely teach how people could experience an abundant life. No, He gave the presence of His very own being as that life<\/em>. John 1:1-3 shows us how John experienced the Lord:<\/p>\n

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\u201cHeard…Seen…Looked upon…Touched.\u201d John received God\u2019s love through the physical presence of a real person, Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

Jesus brought transformation through His Word, but His Word was continually accompanied by genuine presence. Whether He ate, healed, taught, laughed, or cried, it\u2019s striking how much Jesus shared His life with those He came to save.<\/p>\n

As we follow Jesus, He calls us to live a ministry of humble presence. As we do so, we put flesh on the life-giving words we proclaim in the name of God.<\/p>\n

Active Relational Presence<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This requires an active relational presence in each other\u2019s  life. Now, that doesn\u2019t negate the need for information and knowledge, but it acknowledges that information without relationship will prove ineffective.<\/p>\n

I love long, concentrated times of deep study when I\u2019m alone. But one of the best things we can share from studying is the presence of our transformed souls.<\/p>\n

Even in our own lives, we\u2019ve had moments where God has used powerful sermons to bring transformation. But we\u2019ve likely experienced far more transformation through sound doctrine shared through the active presence of someone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

Therefore, a simple, yet critical, part of one\u2019s ability to lead and love others is simply making time to be with them<\/em>. In a sense, this is the first \u201csermon\u201d that will impact some before their souls are pierced by an actual message from the pulpit.<\/p>\n

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See also  Is It \u2018Ministry Failure\u2019 To See a Counselor?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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We Must Be Active Listeners<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is particularly true with the non-believers you\u2019re loving in your communities. Some of the most significant expressions of ministry involve listening during conversations you share over a meal.<\/p>\n

This is important because much of our ministry is often a one-sided monologue as we speak to a passive congregation. Though I\u2019m a passionate advocate for the role of preaching in building up the church, we need to emphasize other forms of ministry which cultivate dialogue and relational presence.<\/p>\n

Pastors share, but we must also receive. We must listen! An active presence helps cultivate this.<\/p>\n

When we do this, we cultivate empathy for both person and circumstance. Pastors should \u201cwalk a mile\u201d in the shoes of those from the church, particularly those who may represent diverse cultures in the community.<\/p>\n

We Must Aim to Feel<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To minister effectively, we need to understand what different people feel. What circumstances bring joy, pain, sadness, hopelessness, and delight that might be different than one\u2019s own experience?<\/p>\n

Empathy allows one to speak not only to another culture but from within their culture, having experienced it for oneself. And that requires intention and time. A choice to be present can grow this relationship of trust between a pastor and church members.<\/p>\n

Successfully developing a ministry of presence is a long-term endeavor. It won\u2019t happen as a result of one seminar or lunch but a commitment to an extended relational connection.<\/p>\n

For those in our ministries who struggle with faith because they can\u2019t see God, our desire to be with them is done in the hope they may experience God through our presence with them.<\/p>\n

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Dan Hyun<\/h2>\n

@villagedanhyun<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Dan is the husband to Judie, father of two girls, and lead pastor of The Village Church and Send City Missionary for Baltimore, Maryland.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n