Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 106:423 (Jul 1949)
Article: The Work of the Ministry Part 1
Author: Charles F. Ball

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BSac 106:423 (Jul 49) p. 328

The Work of the Ministry
Part 1

Charles F. Ball

[Editor’s Note: The four addresses constituting the 1949 W. H. Griffith Thomas Memorial Lectureship had for their general theme “The Work of the Ministry.” Bibliotheca Sacra will reproduce each of these addresses in successive numbers beginning with the present issue. This set of annual lectures was delivered to the student body of Dallas Seminary March 22–25, 1949, and prepared by the Rev. Charles F. Ball, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of River Forest, Illinois.]

The great purposes for which the Christian ministry has been established are not a matter of speculation. They are forever written down in such passages as these: “He gave…some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11–12); “…I send thee to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith” (Acts 26:17–18); “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt 28:19–20).

Here is a high calling indeed, which envisions as its burden the reconciling of men to God, the molding of their characters, the planning of their lives, the determining of their motives and the making of them ready for life eternal. There is, therefore, no area of life for which the minister has nothing to say. Whether it be in the church, the home, the school, the community, the amusements, the factory, the marketplace, the office or the quiet of the closet it is our

BSac 106:423 (Jul 49) p. 329

holy task as ministers of Christianity to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

It is impossible to comprehend the magnitude of this task in four lectures. Many worthy volumes have been written, each to emphasize some strong feature of our high calling. The addresses in this lectureship, therefore, cannot aspire to cover the subject in a truly exhausting, satisfying manner, but will I trust help to fix in the minds of prospective ministers what appears to me, after some years as a clergyman, to be the chief avenues of responsibility facing you in your life’s work. I will, then, consider during the four lectures the four outstanding duties of the minister: preaching, shepherding, counseling, administering.

Preaching...

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