MARRIAGE AND MINISTRY: A REALITY CHECK
April 11, 2017A Third Way: Shifting the Paradigm of Formal Theological Education
April 18, 2017It’s All About Our Love Relationship With God
By Joe Handley
As I reflect back on the GProCongress, I can’t forget the dynamic sharing in our Spiritual Engagement Track. The wisdom shared each day from several pastoral trainers and the interaction Q & A as well as post-workshop conversations each afternoon were very motivating.
Among all of that, though, is one crucial piece that I want to emphasize in this first post-Congress blog from our track: It’s all about our Love Relationship with God!
I know. I know. Many of you are thinking, “Of course, all of us already know that.” But, I would suggest otherwise. In fact, the key reason for the lack of spiritual health in the church worldwide comes down to this very matter. The reality is that most pastors don’t cultivate their relationship with God!
It surprises everyone when they hear that this feature is the single most powerful feature of the ministry I serve, Asian Access. Everyone says that same thing: “Every ministry has that at its core!” However, the truth of the matter is that every Asian Access alumni I’ve spoken with says this is the most transformational aspect of the two-year journey they experience with us. Why? Because, most pastors DO NOT cultivate this as well as we think!
If we truly want to see spiritual health to bring transformed churches, communities and nations, it begins right here:
As you abide in me, you will bear much fruit… Without me, you can do nothing! ~ Jesus
I humbly suggest that this is the most important lesson for all of us coming out of the GProCongress! To be health spiritual leaders, we must get our life with Jesus back on track. It’s spending time with him throughout our days, listening to Jesus and resting in His presence. As we do this, we will bear much fruit!
I encourage you to take inventory of your walk with Jesus today… Search me and know my ways oh God and see if there be any wicked way in me? Spend time with Jesus to ensure that you have a vibrant love relationship with Him every day. This will be the key to spiritual vitality, sustainable ministry, and fruitful influence.
Here’s a page from Asian Access highlighting some of these truths if you’d like to explore a little further:
I pray this helps you in your journey!
It’s all about our Love Relationship with Jesus!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joseph W Handley, Jr. (@jwhandley) is the president of Asian Access. Previously, he was the founding director of Azusa Pacific University’s Office of World Mission and lead mission pastor at Rolling Hills Covenant Church. He co-led one of the first multi-national high school mission congresses in Mexico City in 1996 and is a contributing blogger for the Billy Graham Center’s EvangelVision Blog. Joe serves on the International Orality Network leadership team and the board of PacifcLink. He serves on the advisory teams for ELEVATE, BiblicalTraining.org, and DualReach. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Joe strives to develop leaders for missional movements across Asia. Learn more about Joe’s family: www.asianaccess.org/ha
Asian Access is a vibrant community. We are an interdenominational movement working throughout Asia to identify, develop and release leaders of growing and reproducing churches. We’re focused on training key leaders who will lead the church with vision, character and competence. We are becoming a vibrant community of leaders in twenty countries of Asia, who will unite the church, extend the Kingdom, and transform the cultures of Asia for the glory of God. Learn more: http://www.asianaccess.o