Commencement Address: An Eternal Perspective on Your Ministry

You may forget most, if not all, I share with you today, but I am going to ask that you think about this key phrase as not only an anchor point, but also as an eternal key to navigating these uncertain, polarizing times.

Here is the phrase: love the Church.

I would like to place before you a vision of the Church that needs to always be before all of us – each and every day.

We sometimes judge the church or a particular church by different aspects of churches like geography – rural, urban or suburban. Size – Big church, mid-size or small church. Age – Old church or church plant. Whatever words or adjectives that we may use, they are so very limited when compared to an eternal perspective.

From an eternal perspective – you and I are called to serve and love the Church – the Bride of Christ.

We could read many passages with this image, but I want us to go to a particular time – a crucial time in the history of the Church. The church is scattered. It is under persecution. One of the key disciples of Jesus – the beloved disciple/apostle, John – while in exile is given visions and words to share to challenge and encourage the Church. Near the end of this Revelation, we read these words from Revelation 19:6-10:

6  Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

9  Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” 10  At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

In my time in ministry, I remember people who would sometimes say the following – I love Jesus, but not the Church.

In their view, the Church was an institution that disappoints and divides and was something that they wanted to keep at arm’s length. They saw the “ugliness” of church and church politics and thought they could turn away from the church and still look fully into the face of Jesus, but that is not possible.

When you go to a wedding, you see both the bride and the bride groom. They come together. There is love that bridges them together. You cannot love the groom Jesus – without seeing from an eternal perspective – the bride of Christ – the Church of Jesus Christ.

When John receives this image, he falls at the feet of an angel to worship the Angel but the Angel corrects and directs John – and I would suggest us as well.

The angel says –
1) Worship God.
2) Hold to the Testimony of Jesus.
3) And do this with fellow servants who are your brothers and sisters.

Start with Worship.

It may seem out of place to say at a seminary graduation, but I want to warn you that you will be tempted to worship other things than God in your ministry. You may worship or seek a certain level of fame and fortune. You may even find that you are tempted to put yourself at the center of your ministry as you focus on your reputation rather than the worship of God.

We are called to recognize the idols of our times and in our hearts. You and I cannot do ministry if we do not recognize how easy it is for us and for the people we minister with to twist and turn and hold onto our idols. Idols like achievement and political power. Idols like prestige and status. Idols like – “I am the righteous one here and everyone else is less.”

The idols of comparison and pride do not disappear when you walk across this stage and get your diploma and your serving towel.

A key challenge you will always face is to worship God – not something or someone else.

Hold to the Testimony of Jesus.

In this world, you may be tempted to bring a message of your own to people. You have some things to share, even good things – but are those good things – the Gospel? We are called to share the testimony of Jesus – who He is, but also who He taught us is the Father and the Holy Spirit.

We have a message to share and it is the message of Jesus – who gave us a picture of a Prodigal God waiting and running toward His prodigal sons and daughters and pointing us to rely on the Holy Spirit who He has sent to guide us, comfort us and always be with us.

Know that our calling is as servants in a community: the Church.

This morning may you be reminded that your calling is so much more than a job. Your calling is an opportunity to show the world that you love Jesus and you love the Church – the bride of Christ.

Through all the troubles and trials that do come in ministry, there is a God – who is at work in you and through you – preparing the bride which we will see in full beauty – at the wedding banquet that awaits us.

Our prayer for you is that in this journey you hold onto this enteral perspective of the Church – the Bride – the beautiful bride of Christ.

In His Service with You,

Jul Medenblik

President, Calvin Theological Seminary