Models of Ministry

J. Gresham Machen, the founder of Westminster Theological Seminary, told a graduating class of the seminary what he thought was the purpose of these young men as ministers of the gospel. He said, "You, as ministers of Christ, are called to deal with unseen things. You are the stewards of the mysteries of God. You alone can lead men, by the proclamation of God's word, out of the crash and jazz and noise and rattle of this weary age into green pastures and beside the still waters; you alone as ministers of reconciliation, can give what the world with all its boasting and pride can never give -- the infinite sweetness of the redeemed soul with the living God." (Taken from D.G. Hart)

Modern models of ministry look nothing like what Machen said. Many say that "Machen's older conception of the ministry now looks tired, irrelevant, and even a bit selfish" (Hart). But is it really? I would ask you to read Machen's statement again, and then ask yourself, is Machen not right?