By Rev. Fr. Dr. Zach Varghese, MD., Malankara World Board member
Associate Vicar, St. Thomas MSO Church, Austin, Texas

The Church is given the precious challenge of emulating our Good Shepherd. Our Lord set the example for integrity, compassion, sacrifice, joyfulness, and prayerful living. Rare in the world, these and many other spiritual qualities derive from God's peace overcoming our day to day challenges.

Sometimes, the Shepherd has to prod and push us to do our best. At times, He may let us stray, but always under His watchful eye. He does something peculiar as well - He finds people and employs them to assist in tending the lambs. In fact, we may say that since the Great Commission was given, our Lord has generally called co-ministers to work alongside the Holy Spirit in transforming us and the world.

What a privilege, and what a responsibility! We get to move closer to Jesus as we share His burdens. We move closer to our forbearers the saints as we struggle with inevitable sacrifices. We are witness to the joys of seeing ourselves and others grow.

Our Church, in particular, is poised to grow remarkably in its 3rd millennium. Though constantly persecuted in its two major centers, thriving diaspora communities have popped up worldwide. Converts are pouring in by the tens of thousands in Latin America. The cry is going out for all to take up a cross and serve each other. There aren't enough clergy!

Beyond our laity helping themselves, our capable clergy must take initiative. Training, education, and mentorship should be emphasized. But, these days, some are reporting a disturbing trend…some clergy are failing to make personal service to the members of their parishes a priority. If accurate, this trend threatens to derail the promise we possess.

It goes without saying that most clergy love to serve. The busy demands of running a parish, preparing teaching materials, offering sacramental services, and caring for administration all seek to crowd away time. Despite this, and then the demands of family life, I have to believe that most clergy still make house calls.

A personal experience challenges my assumption. I went to visit a member whose young child was in the hospital for tests. The situation was tense because of the range of possible diagnoses. Husband and wife were, needless to say, stressed out. The least I could do was visit at the hospital, offer support, and, above all, pray for the baby and family. To my surprise, I received a call from a grandfather thanking me for taking the time. He said it was rare these days for priests to make such visits. I was shocked, as I am sure most want to be part of their parishioners' lives. This was a reminder to me to make sure to prioritize the ministry. Sadly I have not even come close to perfecting the necessary service, but with prayers and the support of peers and the congregation we all look for the best.

Mor Yaqub Eduardo, Metropolitan, Diocese of Central America,
Syriac Orthodox Church

An inspirational example in servant leadership is Mor Yaqub Eduardo, whom a few of us recently visited in his home diocese of Central America. Mor Yaqub likes to be active. He takes the initiative to greet, bless, and even serve food to his friends and visitors. A person from a great family, and hundreds of thousands of people in his jurisdiction, he still makes time to hike from village to village to visit people in their homes and parishes. A real model for us to (re) learn how to meaningfully interact with those whom God has entrusted to us.

In conclusion, two areas of Scripture come to mind. The third chapter of 1 Samuel describes how God was disgusted with Eli, the high priest entrusted with the child Samuel. God calls directly to Samuel, a person He chooses to trust, over His priest. Eli had failed to enforce just practices, and let his sons run amuck abusing Israel. God did not tolerate it, and pronounced judgement on Eli and his sons. God forbid that we offend Him in our ministry! Secondly, in Luke 17 our Lord states unequivocally that those offending God's children will be punished severely. His language is harsh, suggesting that perpetrators may have been better off not being born!

Let us all, and especially our clergy redouble our efforts to serve and better those in our charge!

About The Author:

By Rev. Fr. Jose Daniel Paitel, Malankara World Board Member

Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior, is looking to hire someone who can reap His harvest. He needs men and women from all walks of life. He told us that harvest is ready to reap. Millions, whom he called, are in the field. They became experts. Experts and trained hands are busy with their own missions. So Jesus is facing a severe shortage of real workers for reaping the harvest. Those who are willing to witness can come forward. No application is necessary. Education, age, health or other qualifying criteria are not a barrier to this call. Men, women, old, sick, student, unemployed, or underemployed - in-short, anyone who are able to witness Jesus Christ - may kneel before their Bible and dedicate themselves for this call of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is a call of our Lord Jesus Christ that He made on His first visit. Lot of our forefathers accepted His call. Their sacrifice ended up in martyrdom. After twenty centuries, the call of evangelization is still ringing in our ears. Those who accepted this call in this century are working for the glory and prosperity of their church. They are considering their call as a sacrifice.

Progress of ancient Christian church was not derived from the number of its institutions. Early Church fathers spread the gospel along with their humanitarian (mission) activities. Their resources were limited, and went through unending struggles. They were intense with their burning hearts. Their conscious was encouraging them to overcome any hurdles ahead of them. Why can't we go with that? How the modern churches are stranded away from the way of life of our forefathers and martyrs. Now the resources are plenty, opportunities are enormous. Christian churches are starving for 'His mission' and that is dry. Surprisingly those who are entitled to preach are staring at the open sky when they are before their audience. Their words are flying over the listeners. No message is concentrating on the starvation of hearts. Reason is that, they are theologians. Their preaching is not according to the visions of the gospel but according to standards of their qualifications.

Another tragedy is the gimmicks on the stage. Gospel conventions are a kind of big business these days. Publicity stunt is an epidemic killing the spirit of gospelization of our Church. Wide stage, huge audience, Musicians, well-trained choir, well-engineered sound system, etc. are indispensable these days. Practices like speaking in tongues, healing, prophecy, etc. are introduced by the reformation movement are now outdated. Instead, they have specialized healing services for cancer, heart attack, exclusions of evil spirit etc.

This is our cry for a real and appropriate sermon of our Lord and master. We need to hear what "He" said. We need our preachers to speak of and about our Lord. We want our preachers to have intense hope in their Master. They must be reminded everyday of their vocation and about their master. Issues such as universal and ecumenical progress of the church, Charity institutions, world peace, and international communal harmony, etc. may only be discussed after teaching the Word of God.

Since they are failing to do that, let the fresh one among us make advancement or a makeover for our Lord's mission. Our eternal salvation is indebted to the blood of our savior and the word of God. It is a matter of our eternal life. We cannot leave it behind. We would be answerable before our Lord on His second coming.

Jesus is earnestly looking for our inner conscious. He provided us everything in our life time. He listens to every word of our prayers. He answers our cry. He never leave us unattended. So we cannot ignore Him or His words. Look into the pages of our Bible. Ask our Lord to call us and speak to us. We don't want to become Evangelists and missionaries or to be decorated for our Lord's call. We need to lead the Christian way of life. Let us show how a Christian is called to lead a Christian life. Remember what our Lord told us:

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26 (NKJV)

Let us witness by our Christian Life. It will be an encouragement to our fellow Christians.

What can we do? Do you have a neighbor? Go and talk to them about our Savior. Spend couple of minutes by reading certain portions of our gospel and let them know how our savior survived the days of manifestation. Let them know how hard His hours of persecution and crucifixion were that he gladly undertook to save us. Tell them that the grace of God is available to everyone - including them. This is what our fellow beings want from our Church life. Share our hearts with them. It may console them if they are badly in need of Him. Jesus Christ told us:

"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)

We cannot be silent anymore, because no one among our preachers is preaching from the gospel. Most of the sermons in our church are focused on a theme of their choice, not from the Gospel. This is a fatal mistake. Our Lord warned us:

"Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it."
(Matthew 21:43)

What is qualifying someone as a messenger? A messenger needs a commitment over his mission.

And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." St. Luke 5:10.

Our sermons are based only on an attachment to his biblical studies. But a real gospel messenger should be committed to the word and crucifixion of our savior Jesus Christ over his attachment to the biblical expositions. We are called to be the witnessing Christians, who are anointed and experiencing Holy Spirit in our real life. If we cannot witness him, we would stand with hands tied before the holy throne of judgement.

"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." - Mark 8:38

As Jesus, the son of God, is the only one true Judge who is entitled for our final judgement, our commitment should be with the Gospel as it represents Him, as per the traditions and teachings of our Holy Church.

Yes, Jesus is not calling the expounders and decorators of his majesty. He is calling those who can work for Him and those who are able to witness "Him" to the future generations. The milestones we made were our adventures and that is our admirations. Those might be sold out or uprooted in the next decades. But the Cross of crucified Jesus will exist forever serving the same message as before and saving the souls as in the beginning. Our gospel workers must be extra cautious of it, being careful to live a real Christian life as taught by our Savior.

About The Author:

 

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart.
- 2 Corinthians 4:1

I have noticed in my own experience that I need to be reminded repeatedly that God does the work. I just need to be faithful to do what He has asked of me today, depending on Him for everything. Somewhere during the busyness, I can forget what dependency feels like and try to make sense of ministry in my own flesh instead of relying on His Spirit. A good saying is: "Where God's finger points, there God's hand will make a way."

For those of you who are serving in a ministerial role, pray for the Lord to give you verses to anchor your ministry goals. While reading the Scriptures, look for a verse that expresses how you feel or your heart's desire. Keep searching the Scriptures and praying until you find at least one verse or one story that you can pray back to God and meditate on. Those verses will give you the strength to get through the trials as well as the focus to finish what you started. God will bring to your memory the Scripture throughout the days ahead when the times get difficult. God wants us to count the cost and be responsible in whatever service we do, but God takes us as His responsibility to get us through. And remember, we are all dealing with the same thoughts and struggles. You are not alone when serving the Lord.

So we must not get tired of doing good for we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up.
Galatians 6:9

by Eric Metaxas

We've all heard the phrase, "Like father, like son." While it's not always true, fathers and sons tend to resemble one another, and often sons and their dads end up with similar personalities, doing the same things.

It's true in the spiritual realm, too. Jesus claimed a close family resemblance to the heavenly Father, saying, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father," and, "Whatever the Father does, the Son also does." The Lord also said that Christians have the same opportunity to glorify God by their deeds in full view of a watching world: "let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

In the case of Dr. Tom Catena, a 51-year-old Catholic missionary from Amsterdam, New York, some unlikely people are watching, and they are indeed glorifying our heavenly Father.

You see, "Dr. Tom," as folks call him, is the only physician stationed permanently in the war-torn Nuba Mountains. The New York Times calls it the site of "the worst ethnic cleansing you've never heard of." The remote region of half a million people is a frequent bombing target of Sudan's Islamist government, which is trying to crush a rebellion by Christians and animists in the nation's far-south.

At last count, the hospital has been bombed 11 times. When he isn't dodging Sudanese bombs or mosquitoes carrying malaria, Dr. Tom removes shrapnel from women's flesh, amputates arms and legs of wounded children, removes appendixes, and even delivers babies - all for $350 a month.

One of those observing Dr. Tom's Christ-like service in this forgotten land is a Muslim named Hussein Nalukuri Cupp, who, seeing the family resemblance, stated simply, "He's Jesus Christ." A rebel commander, meanwhile, says, "People in the Nuba Mountains will never forget his name. People are praying that he never dies."

Even more amazing is the response of a serious liberal journalist who realizes that the world needs Christians - and he isn't afraid to say it. That journalist is Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, who is doing what no other "mainstream" journalist would dare - helping the world to see the huge sacrifices that evangelicals and serious Catholics make around the world, doing God's work quietly and humbly.

"There...are many, many secular aid workers doing heroic work," Kristof says. "But the people I've encountered over the years in the most impossible places - like Nuba, where anyone reasonable has fled - are disproportionately unreasonable because of their faith."

Indeed. God isn't "reasonable" when it comes to the suffering of human beings made in His image. Here's what Dr. Tom says about his work: "For me, it's a privilege to be in a position where I can offer [my] services to people. I don't see it as a hardship. I've been given a lot in this life. Let me go and try to do something with it."

Amen. As Jesus also said to His children, for those to whom much has been given, much will be expected.

As I watched the Times video about Dr. Tom's work, I must tell you I was thrilled to see him, in a rare moment of relaxation, reading my biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer, of course, was another man who refused to take the easy way, and heroically tried to do something as Christ's follower.

In these challenging days, may we do the same, leaving the results to our heavenly Father.

About The Author:

by Sharon Glasgow

"Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: ... whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies - in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ ..."
- 1 Peter 4:9-11 (ESV)

I'd heard heroic tales of her. She'd been a missionary for over 60 years and led countless people to Christ. Now she was in her eighties and continued to pour her life into serving others. I was honored to stay with her for a week to minister alongside her.

After traveling 30 hours to her home, my husband and I arrived late in the evening. She welcomed and ushered us into her kitchen for a hearty meal she'd prepared. Then she took time to pray over us before we went to bed. When the sun was barely up the next morning, we feasted on an enormous breakfast in her tiny kitchen.

She and her husband prayed and read Scripture while we ate. The kitchen was crowded, her appliances old and worn, dishes piled high in the sink from her lavish food preparation - yet the atmosphere was home. As they read and encouraged Dale and me, unexpected tears welled up in my eyes and dripped on my plate!

Her kitchen didn't get a rest! Immediately after breakfast she began cooking again, this time for 100 women. She had rented a banquet hall and invited friends, telling them an American would be speaking and food would be served. We cooked, set up the luncheon, and I was ushered to the front to speak. Her intention was to build a bridge to their hearts, in hopes that they would come to church on Sunday. And many did!

While driving home in a car packed full of dishes from the luncheon, she told me she'd invited a large group to the house for dinner and wanted me to speak again.

I couldn't imagine how we could clean up all the mess we had left behind and prepare another huge meal! How would we get it all done? She didn't seem concerned at all. Instead, she was fueled from what the Lord had done at the luncheon.

There have been times that I've worried more about my kitchen than how I can serve others. I fret over the size and messiness. But as I watched this woman overlook the piles of pots I was inspired. She didn't let an unswept floor keep her from ministering when she felt the Lord move her. She set the table beautifully and welcomed her guests. Her husband and she joined together to pray and read from the Word. Hearts melted, like mine had earlier that morning.

Years have passed and I think of her every time I have company. Over the years she ministered to thousands in her home; many came to know Jesus there. And it was not because of delicacies or fancy dishes; it had nothing to do with a spotless kitchen. In fact, her kitchen was a mess. But whenever God opened a window of opportunity my friend chose to seize it.

I want that kind of desire to serve. I want my strength and passion to be like that described in today's key verse, 1 Peter 4:9-11. I want to long for people to know Jesus more than I want to have the perfect kitchen.

God cares more about what's happening in our kitchen, than the state of it. My friend taught me that God's love can be shared, His character can be shown and hospitality can be offered, even in the midst of dirty dishes.

Dear Lord, help me take care of my home, and make it a place where You are glorified. Show me ways to serve You in a greater way through the resources You have given me. And help me always care more about the people in my kitchen than the dirty dishes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Reflect and Respond:

Would you be able to invite people in for dinner if they dropped by unannounced - even if the kitchen was a mess?

When was the last time you invited neighbors over and served them? Let's get intentional about ministering in our kitchen and using it for His purposes.

Power Verses:

"She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household."
- Proverbs 31:15a (NKJV)

"Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat of the bread of idleness."
- Proverbs 31:25-27 (NKJV)

by Erik Raymond

At the end of Ezra 4, the people who started out rebuilding the temple with a head of steam had fizzled out. They were crippled by a fear of man. As they cowered in discouragement and shame the dust settled on the building project.

So what does God do?

He sends a couple of preachers, Haggai & Zechariah to preach. And do they ever!

God reminds his people that he is for them, is close to them, has a plan bigger than their life, that his Son is coming, that sin will be conquered, that the kingdom will come, and that he will finally and ultimately destroy all of his enemies.

In short: God loves and wins through Christ!

If you read Haggai 2.12-15 and Ezra 5.1-3, 6.14-15 you will see that it worked.

Isn't this a great encouragement to you? Particularly if you are preaching tomorrow, you need to remember that God still uses ordinary means and ordinary men to accomplish extraordinary things!

Through the ordinary means of ordinary men, God used preachers. These preachers gave them a reason to live. They freed them up to live by giving them a kingdom bigger than their own. We shrink-wrap our world and vision to the size of our lives. God used the prophets to increase their kingdom view - from the small kingdom of self to the big kingdom of God in Christ. This gave them reason to live and to die. May God grant us the same as he uses the same ordinary means!