Pastors in many churches today are frustrated—angry, even—because only a small fraction of their congregations “serve.” But this is no mystery. The very systems they operate are designed to restrict the function of the members, and, more fundamentally, they rely on threats of punishment and promises of reward as their only means of motivation. This is not Christian ministry; it is Christless wage labor masquerading as service. Their “justification” offers no Christ, only the hope of “heaven when you die,” while demanding that you work for your keep in the meantime. They misuse James 2 to teach that justification is a wage for works, reducing believers to laborers under law rather than sons under grace.
In the absence of any enjoyment of the Spirit, these leaders resort to pulpit threats, accusations of laziness, and warnings of discipline for anyone not “busy for God.” Officially, they teach that Paul’s gospel gives you a free ticket to heaven, but James requires you to earn your reward through works. This is not a minor error—it is outright heresy. We expose it not to escape responsibility, but out of love for the Word and for the truth of the gospel. Predictably, those who are invested in this system turn and accuse us of being antinomian, lazy, and seeking a license to sin.
Let me be clear: by the mercy and grace of God, I serve the Lord and minister the Word continually. I do not do this for a wage, nor out of fear of punishment. It is my life, my food and drink, my satisfaction. I am not trying to herd people into a system to pay my salary or maintain the machinery of a religious institution. I am free to observe, enjoy, and even delight in the fruit that springs up among the saints.
I do not despise those whom God has brought into fellowship with me through this ministry. Though our fellowship may be small, every member is functional. There is a living, tight-knit community, constantly caring for one another, meeting needs both spiritual and practical, preaching the gospel, praying, and building each other up in love. Many have been equipped to teach and minister, though the “professionals” dismiss them as mere “amateurs.” Yet these so-called amateurs are actively serving the saints in the ministry of the Word.
Ironically, while we are accused of laziness and “leisure,” these discounted “failures” are so fruitful in their teaching and shepherding that people now refer to us as a “movement”—and the institutional leaders feel threatened. Many among us have fellowships springing up around them, filled with new believers needing shepherding and equipping. Our testimonies are coherent, and the people glorify the Lord with one voice.
We do not neglect genuine church discipline. We deal with issues as they arise and do not tolerate wolves among the sheep. Some have had to leave, and some have taken offense. Yet even those bedridden and excluded from institutional service are now functional, fruit-bearing members. All of this is by the grace and mercy of God. We have never needed to command, threaten, or bribe anyone into service. We simply testify of Christ and delight in speaking of Him, His grace, and the mystery of our identification with Him. People are washed, find joy and peace, and cannot help but speak of Him. None of this is motivated by law; there is no room for flesh to boast.
We know what we are: failures who fled to Jesus for refuge. We do not pretend to be more spiritual than we are, nor do we hide our rough edges. We are real, and we truly enjoy Christ. We are thankful that He has saved us and placed no burden on us. We are dead to all debt and burden. The more we see that we are not under law but under grace, the more grace flows—living, active, and pushing us into resurrection life. We are functional and busy, not because of compulsion, but because of life.
Because we speak of feasting on Christ and the satisfaction we have found in Him, the wolves become enraged. They know only the language of wages and punishments, and their systems are crumbling. Many are about to be put out of their stewardships. They should learn from the unjust steward in Luke 16, who, when facing dismissal, reduced the demands on the debtors. The master praised him for touching the heart of grace: to reduce the demand, not increase it. This is the wisdom of grace—to set the Lord’s people free, releasing the Spirit, bringing healing and revival.
The gospel is not a ticket to heaven with a burden for the present. It is the power to break the yoke and set you free. There is no demand on you once you believe the gospel. You are dead to debt, sin, and law, but alive to God in Christ. Christ Himself is your life, and His Spirit within you is a fountain springing up to everlasting life. The only requirement is thirst—come to Him and drink!
We are not mighty “servants of the Lord,” but thirsty sinners who come and drink. He satisfies us, revives us, and fills us with resurrection life to serve in the newness of the Spirit. This is the 11th hour labor force: the failures, the discounted, those beaten and stripped by wolves and left for dead. The Lord is both Shepherd and Good Samaritan. He knows our pain and will judge those who devour the sheep. The oppressed are cared for; the abusers will answer to Him.
Meanwhile, the word of grace is producing exactly what the Lord desires: “Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power.” We do not serve a hard taskmaster who must manipulate, threaten, or bribe us. We do not labor under a false definition of justification or the abuse of those who lord it over the flock. We have a Bridegroom who says, “All things are ready; come to the feast.” We have found Him satisfying. Our enjoyment of Him is our service. Yet to the wolves, this is dismissed as “leisure and greasy grace.” One must wonder how many of them have ever truly tasted grace at all.
If you accept the legalistic system, you lose everything the gospel gives: the present enjoyment of Christ, the indwelling Spirit, the freedom of sonship, and the voluntary, joyful service that alone fulfills God’s desire. You are left with nothing but bondage, frustration, and a ministry devoid of Christ.
Let the dying systems fall. Grace is enough. Christ is enough. The Spirit is enough. Where grace reigns, service springs up freely, joyfully, and fruitfully—not by coercion, but by the resurrection life of the Son of God.
