What Ministry is All About

I am the product of mentoring.

There have been men in my life, some of whom you would not know if I mentioned their names, who have made a major difference in my life. They saw potential where I did not. They encouraged me to become something more than I was. They reproved and corrected me. They modeled what I longed to become.

Hands down, one of the most significant men in my life has been Dr. Howard Hendricks. “Prof”—as his students affectionately call him—has recently retired after completing sixty fruitful years of teaching in the seminary classroom.

That’s not a typo . . . sixty years!

I had the privilege of participating in an interview with Prof that I’d like to share with you. The video’s dialogue lasts just a few minutes . . . but its lessons continue to linger in my mind. In fact, they are life-long.

That’s where you come in as a pastor. I urge you not to underestimate the impact your ministry is having on those who hear your words and—more importantly—on those who observe your life (see 1 Timothy 4:16). Week after week . . . month after month . . . year after year—you are making an eternal impact on the lives of countless individuals. Never forget that.

Prof Hendricks is one of my few living heroes. Why? Because he has committed his entire life to building into the lives of others.

That, my friend, is what the ministry is all about. 

—Chuck

Can't watch the video? You can download the audio file instead.

Comments

[LA]

Wow! What a wonderful testimony to the keeping Grace of God!
I so needed to hear this! Sometimes we get so weary in well doing, simply we just don't want to any more. I have been encouraged by this message and your ministry Mr. Swindoll. You have impacted my life since I was 21 and that is 22 years.
Thank you!

[David E. Owen]

Dr. Swindoll,

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts about mentoring and the impact of ministry. And thank you for posting the video with Dr. Hendricks. What a blessing!

In Christ,
David E. Owen

[Roger Olson]

Thanks to all four of the men sitting at this interview!

[TJ Conwell]

Dr. Swindoll,

You said in this blog, "Week after week . . . month after month . . . year after year—you are making an eternal impact on the lives of countless individuals. Never forget that." Thank you for this incredible reminder, challenge, and encouragement. I truly needed this today. God bless you.

Because He Lives,
TJ Conwell

[Philip Emerson]

I so needed to hear this Dr Swindoll. sometimes it feels you are just hitting against a wall.
Thank you for your detication and ministry to us pastors.

Love and Prayers. Philip