Ministry Happens Heart to Heart

"We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us." — 2 Corinthians 6:11-12 

What does real ministry look like?

Paul says something powerful in his letter to the Thessalonians: "Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well" (1 Thessalonians 2:8). The word Paul uses describes his soul—everything about him, holding nothing back.

Ministry is about allowing your life to intersect with someone else's life. It's not just something you do for someone; it's sharing who you are.

We're afraid to let people see the chinks in our armor. For some reason, we think if they see that we struggle, they'll say, "Who are you to be involved in ministry?" But the opposite is true. When people know that we struggle, it's easier for them to receive ministry from us because they know we've been where they are.

You may have heard this: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." This describes real ministry. It means loving someone and being involved in their life enough that you'll be transparent with them. Let them see your vulnerability and pain.

When I was in seminary, a pastor lost his son. He talked about his pain and disappointment with God. I was drawn into his story because he shared his pain. His transparency made him trustworthy. His honesty made him human.

God wants to use your pain and your passion. As you allow Him to use those things, you'll discover that ministry happens heart to heart, not head to head.

Stop hiding behind a mask of having it all together. Open your heart. Share your struggles. Let people see that you're human, that you've wrestled with doubt, that you've faced disappointment, that you've needed God desperately.

That's when real ministry begins—when one broken person helps another broken person find hope in an unbroken Savior.