Do You Love Me?

Earlier this week, I was reading during my devotional time, and came across an excerpt from Richard Foster's book Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home. I've had Foster's book for most of the last decade, with every intention of reading it; after reading this particular excerpt, I will have to make time to read the book in its entirety.

Foster is commenting on the interaction between Peter and Jesus as they have breakfast on the beach. Here's what Foster reflects: "...Jesus had only one question for Peter: 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Jesus did not ask him about his effectiveness, or skill, or anything but his love." That quote has stuck with me all week.

Why? Because the recommendations of the United Methodist Church's Call to Action committee recommend greater effectiveness in clergy leadership. Annual Conference boards of Ordained Ministry have "Ministerial Effectiveness Teams," for the purpose of reviewing candidates for ordination and full conference membership to see if they are effective.

Are pastors effective in ministry? What skills do they show, and how are they improving? These are the kinds of questions that are being asked of clergy at the beginning of (and throughout) their ministries. I suppose effectiveness and skill development translate into fruit, right? Well, when Jesus asked his disciple about ministry, he didn't ask about effectiveness or skill. He asked about his love for Jesus.

Have we moved away from that? Does effectiveness and skill trump one's relationship with God in Jesus Christ? You know, I wish someone would ask me what the evidence is that my relationship with God is growing; that I am more deeply in love with God today than I was yesterday. If we would ask those questions, instead of questions of effectiveness or skill level, we might actually burn with love for Jesus. We might actually be able to tell our story and be witnesses to God's love enacted in our lives.

The renewal of the church will come, not when we evaluate clergy effectiveness and preparedness for ministry, but when we go back to remembering God's call on our lives, and witnessing to growing in God's grace. Maybe we need to return to a simple question for us to reflect on our witness and evangelizing power: "Do I love Jesus?"