BASIC ELEMENTS OF MINISTRY
The PAW Theory
By Bishop C. William Page
Christian ministry has always been based on three fundamental principles: Presence, Availability and Willingness.
Presence
The command to "Go" indicates our Lord's affirmation of the importance of presence. To be at the place of need is of utmost importance. One may suppose that Jesus could have paid the price for man's sin and remained in Heaven. However, the point of need was on Earth and it was to Earth that He came. And, after having accomplished the great mission of extrication, He was careful to make provision for a continued presence as he informed His followers of the coming and abiding of the Holy Spirit.
The Christian minister of today and tomorrow must be careful to remember the example and command of Our Lord. In our zeal to reach "to the ends of the earth" we must not shut ourselves in our own little world and forget the great "Go" commission. The renowned ministers of centuries past found great success in the course of "being among the people". Whether they were ministering to "outcasts" in the back alleys of impersonal cities or bellowing the gospel in the open vastness of a farmer's pasture turned sanctuary, ministers found that "being there" offered an unparalleled opportunity of effective ministry.
Presence leads to availability. Resources that exist but are not available when needed serve no meaningful immediate purpose. While they may be committed to the fulfillment of future need, even then their availability will more than likely be key to their utility.
Availability
Access is an encouraging phenomenon. To be able to "get to" a certain person or place oftentimes determines the result of one's contact efforts. The safety of Esther's people depended, in large part, on the availability of the king under whose rule they lived and Esther's ability to make proper use of that availability. Thankfully, God rules and superrules. Yet, He has established a physical universe in which the interaction of its human inhabitants operate to determine many of the resultant outcomes.
Ministers must be available. The shepherd is both present with, and available to, the sheep. He shepherds by causing to lie down, leading, restoring, being with, preparing a table and anointing, The presence of God with man, Immanuel, was characterized by His availability. When His disciples sought to "protect his time" by denying children access to Him, the Bible says He became indignant and issued the command, "let the children come to me and forbid them not". Availability is not merely a fact but an active attitude. One may be present and in the next room but not really available. The perception of availability is of key importance. Loving and caring people tend to refrain from "intruding" in areas where they are not wanted. An attitude of "not having time for" will have a chilling effect on some conscientious people who otherwise would interact with a minister.
Ministers must make time for people. No matter how big or important our ministry is, we simple must make time for people. Some fathers, because of the the perceived importance of their work, become unavailable to their children. Bosses sometimes become unavailable to their employees. And yes, ministers sometimes become unavailable to the very people to whom they have ministerial responsibility. I clearly recall my early years in the ministry. As the majority owner and working chief executive of a fast-growing company, I was very busy. The members of our church knew of the success of the company and how busy I often was. Often they would call and begin the conversation this way: "Rev Page, I'm sorry to bother you, but". Somehow, when I heard that salutatory statement, the Spirit of God in me was grieved. I was very aware that sheep should not have to say to a shepherd, "I'm sorry to bother you". That's not God's way. Suppose we had to begin each prayer with, "Father, I'm sorry to bother you, but". No, that's not God's way. Christians are taught to come boldly to the Throne of Grace. Jesus did not teach that we should pray by saying, "Excuse me, Father, but". Rather, He taught, " When ye pray, say, "Our Father, which art in Heaven". In ministry, there is just no substitute for availability. Understandably, we have human limitations and cannot see everybody. As did Moses, we need helpers. Yet, our availability is enhanced by the proper operation of prayfully chosen helpers. Then, too, availability, in order to yield optimal success, must be accompanied by willingness.
Willingness
Availability might presuppose willingness, but not necessarily. There is a definite and valuable psychological benefit in knowing that we are dealing with people who are willing. Willingness exudes identification with, support, strength, and by extrapolation, love. It is one thing to need help but quite another to know that someone is willing to help. Assistance rendered by those who do not have a willing mind and heart may address the present need but spawn resultant psychological turmoil.
Oh, what a beautiful and refreshing feeling it is to be helped by someone who really wants to help. Willingness releases from guilt. God is willing to forgive us, therefore, we do not have to feel guilty about our forgiveness. He wants to forgive us. That very penchant for helping us immediately beams a ray of hope into a situational night of uncertainty. And so it is. A leper comes to Jesus and says, "Sir, if you want to you can make me clean". Then Jesus said the absolutely beautiful thing. He said, "I want to". Oh, Hallelujah!!! What a great and exhilarating feeling to know that Jesus "wants to". He wants to help us, He really does!!! Oh, Hallelujah!!! And so, ministers, if we are to be effective for God, we must want to. We must want to help others. We must be willing. God appoints, prepares, empowers and accompanies us. Yet, in spite of all of God's provisions for us, the enemy is sometimes able to deceive us and detour us onto the path of unwillingness. Unwillingness is a major peril to truly effective ministry. However, it is comforting to know that Our Lord is able, and willing, to help us escape even this snare which has been laid by the tempter.
Let us conclude by remembering that ministry is enhanced by the presence, availability and willingness of the minister. God use this PAW theory to bless your ministry, is my prayer.
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