What do you need for successful ministry? We usually think in terms of buildings and budgets, but find neither of these things in Jesus’ instructions to His disciples as they set out on their first mission trip. Instead we find three much more important things.

In verse 7, we notice that He sent them out two by two, and that means that we all need colleagues, partners in ministry. We need other Christians to pray with and for us, to encourage us, and to take part in whatever ministry to which God has called each of us. Just as God intends for Christians to live in church families, He calls all His servants to rely on one another as we rely on Him.

But we are also called to rely on the people to whom we are sent. That’s what we see in verses 8-10. Such dependence keeps pastors in touch with their people, and keeps their preaching and teaching grounded in real-world concerns. But at the same time, it’s not a good thing to play favorites, to move around from house to house looking for the best accommodations. The point is mutual support and trust, not self-aggrandizement.

But if pastors are called to rely on their colleagues for help and their people for support, they are not to measure the success of their ministry by how people respond to it. For the sad truth is that some people just won’t listen to the gospel, no matter how clearly and winsomely it is presented. Just as the rich young ruler chose to walk away from Jesus, preferring his money to a relationship with God, lots of people continue to prefer material blessings over spiritual ones. You just can’t help everyone, no matter how badly you want to.

Jesus is calling all His servants into ministry. Will we go, depending on one another, building mutually supportive relationships, and looking only to God for approval? If we do, we shouldn’t wonder if God uses us to accomplish some awesome things.

Mark 6:7-13 (NASB)

7 And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs; and He was giving them authority over the unclean spirits;
8 and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belt;
9 but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.”
10 And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town.
11 “And any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake off the dust from the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.”
12 And they went out and preached that men should repent.
13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.