I’ve noticed a trend in the past 10 years or so in the church, especially in the charismatic/non-denominational circles. It appears that everybody needs a title. Ok, maybe not everyone, but sometimes it seems that way. In the past month I’ve received at least 3 friend requests on Facebook from Apostle so-and-so or Prophet what’s-his-name. A friend of mine told me that he received one from Linda Notitleneeded Smith. The fact that she used that name suggests that she may need a title!
Just to be clear, I believe in apostles and prophets and their function in our present day, but that’s not what I take issue with. Titles are not the real issue. It’s the need for recognition. If I can let you know right up front that I’m an apostle, prophet, minister, bishop or whatever, then I’ve given my ministry some legitimacy. Here’s a novel idea, why don’t you do the stuff and we’ll figure out whether you’re one or not.
I used to need a title. I needed one because I had the wrong idea about what ministry was. When I was young, I felt what was then referred to as “a call to the ministry.” That meant that I would go to bible college and seminary, resulting in having the title of pastor or evangelist (we didn’t believe in modern day apostles and prophets). The only thing that concept resulted in for me was frustration. By the way, I only made it through one year of bible college. It took me many years to realize that the frustration came because I didn’t really know who I was. When you don’t know who you are, you need someone to give you a title or you just give yourself one.
My concept of ministry changed when I began to see myself as a son. A son of God. When it comes to ministry, sons do it like the Son:
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:28 NLT)
And this:
“Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death – and the worst kind of death at that – a crucifixion.” (Phil. 2:5-8 MSG)
If you are born again, you are called to ministry. We are called to serve. What does that look like?
Jesus.
After years of looking for a title, I’ve come to realize I had one all along – SON! I am His beloved son, and He is well pleased with me. That’s all I need.
His son,
Kevin