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The theme for our reflection is genuine Christian Ministry. A thing is said to be genuine if it is not superficial or fake but real, true or authentic. Christian ministry is the call to dedicate one’s life to serving God. It also means responding to the call to follow Jesus and obey His teachings and carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) of preaching the Gospel towards the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. Genuine Christian ministry is being faithful to one’s call or vocation to serve God. We shall reflect on the fact that the foundations of a genuine Christian ministry are love and forgiveness.

Firstly, one of the foundations of genuine Christian ministry is love. Paul was an apostle who travelled with others on missionary journeys to preach and establish churches. That was the nature of their Christian ministry. Although we are not told what exactly happen, it is quite clear that Paul had a bitter experience and opposition during his initial visit to the church of Corinth. As human as he was, he was hurt by whoever offended him therefore he wrote that “For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. ² For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? ³ And I wrote as I did so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice…” (2 Corinthians 2:1-3). This means that church leaders have emotions and are sometimes greatly hurt by the speech and actions of church members. How then should a pastor or a church leader called into Christian ministry react when he or she is hurt by a church member? How would people know the genuineness of our Christian ministry through the manner in which we handle those who hurt us or oppose our efforts to lead the church and serve God? Do we hate and fight them in return? Do we curse those who offend us as pastors, catechists, presbyters, deacons, and elders? Would we be seen to be engaged in genuine Christian ministry If we become resentful or bitter towards people we perceive as enemies in the church? Paul proved to the church of Corinth that he is involved in a genuine Christian ministry when He said “For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. (2 Corinthians 2:4). In other words, Paul has taught us to love those who hurt us even in times of affliction and anger born out of pain and opposition in the church. Paul exhibited love as one of the strong foundations of genuine Christian ministry. In fact, without love, there is no genuine Christian ministry, It is for this reason Jesus taught us to “… love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45). It is unfortunate to see some pastors, church leaders or preachers mount the pulpit to express their emotional frustrations at their church members because a few of them have offended them. The pulpit has become a tool of retaliation or revenge by some preachers. Some church leaders even go as far as raining curses on their perceived enemies in the Church who are also their congregants. We are being admonished by Paul when he wrote in Romans 12:17-21 that “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Dear friend in the Lord, apart from unconditional love, another strong foundation of a genuine Christian ministry is forgiveness. Regardless of the pain and distress Paul felt, he wrote to the Church of Corinth to forgive the sinner or the one who offended him and the church. “If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. ⁶ The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. ⁷ Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸ I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him… I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, ¹¹ in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:5-8,10-11). Paul demonstrated to the Church of Corinth that his Christian ministry as an apostle and leader is genuine when He followed the example of Jesus on the cross when He said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Beloved in the Lord, the act of forgiveness must always be demonstrated by pastors, catechists, presbyters, deacons, elders and other church leaders. Our character and actions as preachers and church leaders are usually louder than the sermons we preach in the pulpit. When Church leaders lead by example in the demonstration of love and forgiveness as strong foundations of a genuine Christian ministry, the church members will also follow their examples thereby becoming like Christ. It for this reason Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme, “genuine Christian ministry” We have underscored the fact that the foundation of a genuine Christian ministry is love and forgiveness. Shalom.

PRAYER
1. Let us remember that our service to the Lord is not genuine or complete if we live in the church with resentment and unforgiveness. Let us pray for the Lord to heal our bitterness and strengthen us to love our enemies and forgive those who have offended us.
2. Let us pray for love and unity to prevail in our church so that the world will know that we have been called into a genuine Christian ministry.
3. Let us pray for our church leaders and their mental health. Let us pray that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will sustain them even in times of frustration or difficulty.

Lord Jesus, strengthen us to follow your perfect example of love and forgiveness so that we shall experience a genuine Christian ministry in bringing light to where there is darkness. Shalom. Amen.