We are in the midst of our Annual Conference meetings. One of the highlights was Monday night’s session with Chaplain Milo Curtis. Milo is one of our pastors on special assignment. He serves as an Active Duty Chaplain in the United States Navy.   What he shared was so refreshing!

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We find how to live with resilient passion from the life of Jesus!

12 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 13 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. – Luke 5:12-16

Passion for the work God has called us to is contagious and life giving. But passion is a by-product of a ministry that has a set of qualities to it that are non-negotiable and position us for His passion to be worked within us.

What are the qualities of a ministry that position and sustain us with God’s passion?

QUALITY 1: A Ministry of Presence
…he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy

Every soul is wondering, “Does God care?” How you and your church engage contributes to the answer of that question. The leper was “full” of leprosy. He wasn’t at the beginning stages, he was “full”. People are messy, ministry often is too.

As you endeavor in a ministry of presence consider:
1. What is my calling today?
2. Where am I drawing my confidence?
3. What is God doing that can be celebrated?

QUALITY 2: A Ministry of Focus
…go and show yourself to the priest…

Remember a “Yes” to this is a “No” to that. Many times we must say strategic “no’s” so that we can say “yes” to the right thing. Kingdom Passion prioritizes people who want to be made well and is renewed by reflecting on God’s faithfulness in the company of others.

It’s worth noting that passion differs from zeal; passion has the presence of patience while zeal has the presence of haste.

As you endeavor in a ministry of focus consider:
1. What is God asking me to say “yes” to?
2. What is God asking me to say “no” to?

QUALITY 3: A Ministry of Uncertainty
But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities.

Leadership always takes place in the context of uncertainty. Therefore, God will lead you through uncertainty. God will expect you to lead others through uncertainty.

As you endeavor in a ministry of uncertainty consider:
1. Where is God leading you that makes you feel uncertain?
2. How is God leading you to deepen your trust in Him?

QUALITY 4: A Ministry of Disappointment
But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray

Embracing the reality that you are disappointing people dis-empowers the enemy’s ability to use the fear of disappointment to paralyze you.

I serve five commands, made up of 1,400 Marines. That means I have five calendars. That means I am always disappointing someone. Leadership that pursues passionate ministry weighs the cost of each choice and is prepared to pay the price of disappointing others.

As you endeavor in a ministry of disappointment consider:
1. Am I willing to be misunderstood?
2. Am I seeking wisdom so I know who I need to disappoint today?

Before You Go…

Where is God asking you to grow so you can have a sustained passion?

We’re so grateful for Chaplain Milo and his encouraging words! If you want to know what Curt is doing and how you can pray for his ministry, please email him and he will put you on his mailing list: chaplainmilocurtis@gmail.com.