There is a troubling trend in ministry today—a man-centered focus. The priorities of too many churches and ministries are determined by human purposes and philosophies. There is a temptation to focus on numeric growth, social branding, or otherwise trying to keep up with other churches and pastors. This has led to superficial ministries that base their foundation on the charisma of the pastor, appeal of the church programs, breadth of facilities, or other non-foundational areas. As a result, when these are removed, the ministry falters or even collapses.
I have heard many preachers state that their greatest resource is the people of the church. However, viewing the people we serve this way can be problematic. In this mindset, the minister may develop a misguided view so that people become mere tools to achieve ministry goals rather than God’s sheep to be shepherded. From this faulty perspective, when people obstruct the leader’s goals, they are easily disregarded or neglected. The truth is that people are not a means to an end or tools for use; people are the ministry.
We see this perspective in the ministry of the apostle Paul. In each epistle, he expresses his heartfelt concern for the people to whom he writes and for their relationship with Christ. In Colossians 1, in particular, we see three key priorities that Paul exemplifies which should also be present in the life of every spiritual leader who genuinely cares for the people God places in his life.
The Priority of Thankfulness
Paul was quick to recognize that it was God who blessed him with the opportunity to be involved in the lives of and minister to the believers at Colosse. He expressed gratitude for them and for their testimony in Christ.
Notice especially that Paul’s thankfulness for these Christians wasn’t first about what they did, but rather for who they were in Christ: “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints” (verses 3–4).
Paul was grateful for the salvation of these people and for their demonstration of traits that all Christians should exhibit in their daily lives. Specifically, he gave thanks for their faith and their love.
As we thank God for the Christians He has entrusted to our care, we too can focus on what God is doing in their lives and the areas in which they are exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit.
The Priority of Spiritual Growth
As thankful as Paul was for the church at Colosse, he envisioned more for them. His prayers for these Christians were filled with a marked priority, not on physical wellbeing, healing, or comfort, but on spiritual growth.
Read Paul’s prayer in verses 9–11 and notice how unlike our regular prayer meetings his requests were: “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”
Paul prayed that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, that they would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, that they would be fruitful in every good work, and that they would be increasing in the knowledge of God.
It is crucial to understand that our identity influences our conduct. Paul recognized this reality and made it a priority to foster the spiritual growth of those in the church.
Jesus entrusted the church with the Great Commission—to lead people to faith in Christ, baptize them, and guide them through the discipleship process. When priorities are misaligned, these areas can be neglected. If a church (or a ministry within a church such as a small group or youth ministry) grows numerically but its members are not growing spiritually, priorities need to be reevaluated.
The Priority of Jesus Christ
Jesus should be the central focus of every church. And Paul’s letter to the church at Colosse is saturated with a focus on Jesus. Christ is the major emphasis of this epistle, and Paul repeatedly directs attention to Christ.
In verse 1, he identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. In verses 2–3, he identifies who Jesus is and His relationship to the Father. In verses 4–7, he emphasizes the gospel of Christ. In verses 9–11, he points to Jesus as the source of strength for living the Christian life. A few verses later, he describes Jesus as the creator, redeemer, and sustainer of life.
Verse 18 is perhaps the climax of Colossians 1, where Paul explains that Christ is the head of the church and, therefore, deserves preeminence: “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
While Jesus may be prominent in many ministries, that is not enough. He should be preeminent. We can fall into the trap of setting expectations for people and merely adding Jesus’ name to them. To truly know and serve Him should be the focus of our churches and a priority in our own lives and for those we serve.
When our focus is misplaced, our priorities become skewed. We begin to see people as resources or tools to achieve our ministry goals. The reality, as seen in Paul’s life and message in Colossians 1, is that people are our ministry. They may cause frustration at times and bring joy at others, but they are the ministry to which God has called us in the church. To minister effectively, we must prioritize thankfulness for people, their spiritual growth, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
