What's It All About?

I've been in ministry now for over 26 years. That's just so hard to believe. I've been around the proverbial "ministry block" a few times. I've been hundreds of places; on mission trips, retreats, camps, lectures, workshops, universities. I've done what seems like thousands of weddings (an exaggeration), hundreds of funerals (not an exaggeration), elders meetings, counseling sessions, etc, etc, etc. Yet, after all of this I still feel like I'm just starting out, just starting to get my ministry going and having good things happen.

I do keep asking myself, "what is it all about?" I believe deeply in the grace of God and his awesome love for us in that he gave his son to die for us. But when you go through all the motions and with earnestness and sincerity--I still step back and ask "what is ministry all about?"

I've focused in on a whole bunch of stuff thinking I had what ministry is about:
...preserving doctrine. But doctrine is already pure, God made sure of that.
...discovering new doctrine. But that was only tradition I was trying to preserve.
...making sure that the one hour on Sunday morning was correct. But worship and living the Christian life is about my whole life, not just that hour on Sunday morning.
...teaching the lost. But then you have to worry about keeping the faithful faithful.
...visiting the sick, the elderly. No doubt great ministries, but elders failed in this task and letting (or demanding) the preacher do it so that they didn't have too. Yet, Biblically it's there primary responsibility.

I've come to this conclusion now and believe this is what ministry is about--it's about relationship!
Relationship with God.
Relationship with Christians.
Relationship in my family.
Relationship in my marriage.
Relationship to the lost and those without Christ.
Relationship to those struggling, hurting, and searching for relationships.

I believe it's about relationship and relationships. To have a vision of tomorrow and the future--building, preserving, keeping, and maintaining spiritual relationship covers everything.

What's the greatest commandment? - Love God
What's the second greatest commandment? - Love your neighbor as yourself.
Relationship!