GlocalNet

Yesterday I met with some pastors that are simply incredible.  They are in a part of the world that isn’t so easy for Christians.  They are young.  They have all paid a significant price to follow God.  They each have a very unique ministry.  All have home groups/cells - they use different terms - they also have buildings where they worship.  They are incredibly humble.  They were somewhat quiet and reserved.  They are simple men - not the CEO kind of pastor you would see in mega-church pastors here.  They are men who love God.  They face persecution in their own country - but sadly here as well - because they aren’t from the “right part” of the world.  So - one was asked to speak but then the invitation withdrawn when he told someone what part of the world he was from.  A fifth of all Christians in the city go to one of the men’s network - I should say there are only a few thousand Jesus followers in their city. 

As I sat with them - I listened to what God was doing - what their needs were.  No one asked me for anything - they did tell me what they were doing. 

What if all ministry in the U.S. were like this?  What if, to be a pastor in America, you had to be like these men.  They really are similar to the men I know around the world who lead significant churches in the majority of the world:  humble, ignored, broke, persecuted, looked upon with disgust from others - from both sides, alone, being sought after to harm or for help - - - how many of us in America would still be in the ministry.  No commentaries, no books, no conferences, no TV, no consultants, no money, no recognition, nothing - but Jesus.  Would we still do it?  I think maybe a third of us would - I think I would.  But here’s the really hard question - would we do it with joy?