When we think about honour as ministers, what sort of thoughts come to mind?
Honour is defined as showing high respect; being an honour to one's profession; adhering to a standard of conduct that is honourable; or actively honouring the accomplishments or memory of someone special.
Jesus honoured His Father throughout His ministry, up to His last breath on the cross. He even taught His disciples to honour others who ministered in His Name. Mark 9:38 -39 shows Him teaching them to think kingdom not carnal. Too often our thinking is that our group is the right one and everyone else should be like us, or do ministry the way we do.
Creating a culture of honour reflects faith in the Holy Spirit's ability to lead others as He does us.
Ask yourself these two questions?
1. Do I speak well of other ministers and ministries in my community?
2. Do I think of them as competition? Have I dishonoured them with unkind words or careless comments?
I would simply like to encourage all of us reading this to think about those who have taken the high road in life and exhibited honour in all kinds of situations. There are multitudes of ministers who have gone before us and prepared the way for our success. We must honour their efforts in the same way we do our veterans whose sacrifices enable us to live free.
The Life of Joseph
There are those who have pressed through challenges and ended up inspiring us to live honourably. The life of Joseph is a prime example.
He went from a family feud to a pit, he was about to be killed by his brothers but one intervened and he was sold into slavery only to end up in the house of high official where he was falsely accused of immorality, he was sent off to prison yet he was an innocent man, then and only then, was he promoted to the palace in a place of great honour. All of this began when he was just 17 and his moment of public honour came around 33 years of age.
What did he do all his life? He created a culture of honour wherever God planted him. He did what others failed to do - he bloomed where he was planted regardless of the circumstances.
Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favour is better than silver or gold".
Joseph's name is held in high honour amongst Jews and Christians today.
Here is a list of things to consider when we look at how we might create a culture of honour through our lives and ministries today.
Honour – Am I creating a culture of honour with my words and deeds?
Embrace – Do I take the initiative to embrace fellow clergy?
Words – Do my words acquit or condemn me when it comes to being an honourable minister?
Actions – Am I active in caring for pastors in my community when I hear they are in need?
Generous – Am I competitive or generous with ministers who come from a different fellowship or denomination?
Partners – Am I being intentional in seeking out ministerial partnerships to serve the city better?
Creative – Can I be creative in ways that would bless my peers?
Honesty – Am I being honest with myself in assessing my own willingness to honour others?
Teamwork Always Makes The Dreamwork!
We are all on the same team, wearing the same jersey, and serving under the same coach. We do not all play the same position, but we are on His team. It is time for us to affirm that His plan for our city is better than ours. His Word gives clear instructions on how to honour one another.
Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just a I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
At Mission O, Ministers Matter!
