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Writer's pictureMaggie Mraz

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

The downtown storefront church space had quickly become a hospitable place for people feeling out of place in traditional communities of faith. The door was open consistently on weekdays for those with nowhere to go so they would have someplace to be. A self-serve PB&J bar and coffee cart with abundant supplies was accessible to all. Anyone could fix a snack without asking for permission. The place was intentionally set up to serve those who face the tension that comes with city life. The pastor had done her homework. She had studied well enough to begin to confidently experiment with practical ways of serving people in hope of building rapport within the neighboring community.

Practicing a missional approach proved it wasn’t unusual for someone to appear inebriated at the little church space. No one was turned away. One Friday afternoon a “regular” appeared intoxicated and rather sullen. It was well known that he had spent a considerable number of years in a prison. At times he would share a scenario of a violent crime that occurred when he was a much younger man. He muttered repeatedly that he was unforgiveable. Time and again this man would arrive at the storefront and quietly proclaim his sorry lot in life. One Friday afternoon he started once again to repeat the familiar refrain.

“I’m unforgiveable.”

The pastor had invested a considerable amount of time in this man’s company. Trust had begun to rise between them and she sensed the time had come to disturb the waters.

She began, “You know I’m tired of hearing you say that you are unforgiveable. May I tell you something?”

He listened intently.

She continued, “You’ve been around here long enough for me to know that you believe what the bible says about Jesus. You believe Jesus is God. You believe Jesus is the Lord. You believe he is the Christ. Right?”

He nodded in agreement as she continued, “You believe but you think that whatever you did is too big for God. What you did is not too big for God, so I want you to stop saying, ‘I’m unforgiveable.’ because you are not. Okay?”

The pastor went on to tell the man that time and time again she saw Christ in his face. The man who never smiled had shown the pastor Christ over and over again. He resisted receiving this news but she persisted. The pastor continued to share how she regularly saw Jesus in the man’s actions as he tended to the most vulnerable people in the community. She told how she saw Jesus as the man constantly looked out for others and cared for them like a guardian in the neighborhood.

The frank conversation ended with sincere prayer and a tough guy in tears. God was near and relief evident.

One week later the man was arrested by the local police for a parole violation in a neighboring state where he was returned to complete the remainder of his sentence.

The pastor was left to privately wonder of the privilege of being a servant of Christ and a steward of God’s mysteries.

“Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring light to the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Paul addresses the recipients of his letter to the church of Corinth by identifying himself in the first verse as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. He corresponds to God’s people expressing a point made confidently and clearly. His leadership inspired by and modeled by God alone. We attempt to follow his lead.

In Hirsch’s The Forgotten Way the author unpacks the ministry style promoted by Paul as he aligns his leadership with the authority of Christ. Hirsch explains that such apostolic ministry is based in the idea of service and calling of God. Such ministry draws from moral or spiritual authority bent on raising others to greatness. Within relationship apostolic leaders seek to influence people in pursuit of aspirations and raising the level of human conduct and thus experiencing a transformational effect on everyone involved. Such leadership awakens the human spirit to shared meaning in life.[1]

Where is God calling us to join in the awakening of someone so they may realize their great potential? How are we being called to disrupt the water within the relationships we are investing in so people in our lives may rise to the promises of Christ? How are we boldly experimenting with practical ways of serving the people God calls us to welcome into our every day life? Where do we see leaders being good stewards of the mysteries of God?

[1] Alan Hirsch, The Forgotten Ways (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2006), 160.

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