Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. - 2 Timothy 4:2
Decades ago, my wife and I attended a conference that challenged us to compose a life mission statement. On the drive home, we worked on them and then, later on, tweaked them a little more. I guess I must have managed to state mine accurately, because even through some drastic ministry changes, it has remained true. It isn't that unique, but it speaks to the places and activities that bring me the greatest fulfillment. Personal mission statements, above all else, should be durable.
Yet, as good as that statement might be, it doesn't begin to compare with the durability of God's Word. For example, can there be any greater mission statement for a pastor-teacher than the one Paul gave to Timothy? It should probably be engraved on every pulpit, lectern, or iPad utilized by every preacher in America who claims to speak from the Scriptures. In fact, many ministry failures could possibly be traced to a failure in some aspect of this charge.
To all those who teach God's Word, let us commit ourselves to persist in the patient proclamation of His message, being certain that our teaching also rebukes, corrects, and encourages where necessary. In this way, both our mission and mission statement might just remain durable.
The foolish are like ripples on water, for whatsoever they do is quickly effaced; but the righteous are like carvings upon stone, for their smallest act is durable. - Horace
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