Heart Of A Minister

 *Thursday 18 May 2022* Reflections

*Readings of the Day*

Psalm 67

Proverbs 2:1-5

Acts 15:36-41

*Theme*: The Heart of a  minister

By *Rev Dr D Mundenda*

*Theme Scripture:* Acts 15:36 Sometime later, Paul said to Barnabas, _“Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing._

*Text Background*.

It was after the first council Paul continued with his ministry. It then came to pass that Paul initiated the discussion to see how the people he ministered to were managing their spiritual affairs. Paul voluntarily actively thought about their ministry and said to Barnabas, “Let’s have our ministry turn towards the town we spoke the total message of the Kingdom and see how much they have grasped.”

Barnabas wanted Mark to journey back with him. Paul on the other hand saw him as a betrayer of the ministry in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). A sharp dispute arose until the two went separate ways. Paul went with Silas, and Barnabas persisted in taking Mark back to Cyrus, his hometown. The scriptures do not mention Paul and Barnabas ever having ministry together. What could have happened? What lessons are the life lessons from the passage?

*Life Lessons*

Every minister and leader should be concerned about the welfare of the people whether in politics or church. Whatever leadership role. During this second missionary journey, Paul sensed as called by God to minister to Gentles. Every leader serves a purpose. He desired to know their spiritual growth, reaction to persecution and resistance. Paul once experienced the same in the region. There were wolves in the skins of sheep. Paul did not want to forget his children. Paul was a farmer who wanted to ensure the seed was growing. He did not want to find them drifting away from their faith.

As Paul and Barnabas parted ways, the bible does not indicate animosity or backbiting as each went separate ways. I believe they accepted the circumstance as God-ordained. It appears the altercation had no impact on the future ministry. The team parted ways desiring to fulfil the will of God and continue their leadership obligation. They learned to separate work and personal differences. Never did Paul attack Barnabas. He only objected to Barnabas' request as he felt Mark did not take up the work with great concern and seriously. Barnabas wanted to give him another chance, and Paul probably did not want to take chances. Did Barnabas forget the risks of taking unreliable people? Peter was affected by the defection (Acts 13:13). The dispute says it all. Paul was sensitive to his ministry; he could go to bed with unreliability in the mission field.

The ministry did not change. Paul continued to strengthen the church in Cilicia and Syria. Acts 15: 41 _“He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches._”  Even later, the ministry continued, and Paul reunited with Mark, calling him the reliable brother (Col 2:10 & Phm 23.). Barnabas continued, thereby creating two missionary journeys- one for Paul and one for Barnabas.

Growth does not happen overnight. The planted seed does not mature overnight. People who turn to Christ need encouragement, guidance, and warning. I believe the same heart should our portion. 

Prayer: Helps us, heavenly Father, consider our calling seriously and honestly execute our roles and duties. May the difference with a brother help grow the world than focus on why we parted ways. Amen.