The Act of Love by Katie Kilgore

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. I Corinthians 13:1-3

  

I had the chance to sit down with a seasoned Minister of Music, Rev. Mark Barnes, this week and “interview” him on his ministry, etc.  It was a joyful time of encouragement, excitement, and enthusiasm as he gave me practical suggestions for ministry as well as sharing some of his vision with me.  One interesting point he made was a nugget of information that he received from a previous Pastor / Mentor with whom he had the chance to serve with several years ago.  He asked the Pastor for one piece of advice for ministry as the Pastor was entering his retirement years.  The Pastor responded with, “I would have loved people more.”  Wow!  This sounds so simple and a direct commandment for each of us a believer’s, so why would a Pastor feel the need to make such a statement?  As Rev. Barnes and I continued our conversation regarding life and ministry, it became clear to me the reason for such a statement.  The Pastor was so focused on “doing” ministry, preparing for next week’s sermon, and administration of the church, that he neglected what the scripture in I Corinthians 13 tells us…”but do not have love, I gain nothing.”  What did this Pastor gain by spending so much of his time in preparation rather than spending his time loving the people of his church and loving his neighbors? 

As I think about my ministry as a worship leader, I must honestly evaluate my actions.  I wonder if sometimes I focus so much on the choir hitting the correct note, or pausing for the rest, that I neglect to simply love the folks in the choir.  Am I so concerned with the necessary administrative tasks at hand that I forget to give someone in our congregation a much needed hug?  Am I acting as a “resounding gong or clanging cymbal?”  Love is imperative to each of our ministry efforts, for without it, what have we truly gained?

Lord,

I pray for YOUR love to resonate through me as I plan, lead, and serve in your church.  I pray that others will see and know that You guide my every step in ministry and, above all, they will know Your love and I love them.

Amen

Love is Obedience/Obedience is Love by Patrick Fuller

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.  As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:6  

I once was asked to preach a sermon at a wedding in the remote mountains of Peru.  It was a great honor to be asked to do that for the 3 couples who had been married earlier that evening.  It was also a great challenge since I was asked to preach in my second language of Spanish.  I preached on love because the topic of love seemed fitting for the ministry that needed to be done in the area.  As the church listened on I explained that love can be shown through obedience to Christ's commands.  These two things go together so well if you follow Christ's teachings.  Love and obedience are intertwined.  This is not out of obligation but rather out of a passionate desire to respond to and follow Christ.  I encouraged the young couples to love each other, to love their neighbors, and to love God by following his teachings.  Although the message was for them specifically, it is also for you today.  Listen to what Jesus has to say, and follow it out of love instead of cold-hearted obligation.

Lord Jesus, allow us to follow you and in thus show our love for you.  Help us to love others and in that show our love for you as well.  Amen.