The Painting of God Upon my Heart

My main goal in ministry at Otterbein and elsewhere can be none other than what God has so clearly painted upon the canvas of my heart. At first it was broad brush strokes that he painted and though I could hardly make out the colors, I knew instinctively this was a picture of God’s people the church. Over time God has filled in details and given me greater clarity so that now the painting upon my heart bursts forth with radiant color and bold lines. So wonderful is the painting that etched in my mind forever is the bold lines and radiant colors of harmony, unity, oneness, mutual discipleship, and intimacy. But this is not just art – it is the mind and will of God according the imperatives that Jesus Christ and his Apostles laid forth in the Bible.

While the Bible hardly uses the word community I have found that such a word is useful in describing God’s painting upon my heart. Biblical community is not a distant dream but is in fact a heavenly reality. It is only that we on earth must ascribe to the reality, cling to it and count it as precious as the very breath of our soul (few do). I am speaking plainly of God’s church – the very people he has called, sanctified and given a great inheritance to. The church indeed is the very sons and daughters of the almighty, princes/princesses in the kingdom of God. But alas so many only see a steeple, some pews, and stained glass. Can someone please mourn for the church with me! How is it that we the offspring of God are not reflecting the image of our Father? Our light ought be so bright that nothing can be seen except that which God has entrusted to us – the gospel of Jesus which is the power of God for the salvation of men (Rom 1:16)

Many think my passion in ministry is small groups but group life is only a tool yet a very dynamic one when utilized well. The painting on my heart is my passion and I call it biblical community. My goals in ministry are laid out according to this passion? I push the plow toward and sow seed to grow true biblical community? Small groups certainly play a huge role in my ministry goals and thus some would suggest setting numeric goals, “how many groups do I wish to see,” or “what percent of the congregation do I want see connected.“ Such goals interest me little though I wish that every person was connected in a group and that our groups were continually increasing in number. So then what is it then? What clear goals do I set and aim for at Otterbein? These goals are the foundation of biblical community – the beautiful picture God has painted upon my heart.

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            1. Mutual discipleship (priesthood of believers)

Discipleship is not an option. You will either be engaged in discipleship of others or you should be called on your lack of commitment to God and his sons and daughters. Too few in the church are discipling others, rather, leaving it up to pastors and lay leaders. Christianity devoid of discipleship is Christianity without Christ and Christianity without Christ is hopeless and pathetic.

            2. Authentic Intimacy

Jesus Christ said that it will be by our unity that people will know God has sent Him and that by our love people will know we our his disciples (John 13, 17). Our whole witness and proclamation of God’s truth begins and ends with our commitment to one another. This requires more than just a commitment to come to a religious service or to a group meeting. It requires a commitment to one another that is stronger than blood ties.

3. Experiencing Christ

When we are experiencing Christ in the context of intimate community there is no telling what God will do. We might do Bible study, singing, praying or serving but unless Christ is among us, all our religion is in vain.  How many in the church today practice religion but never experience Christ (the answer is bound to be staggering)?  No one who is experiencing Christ can be content with religiosity and status quo discipleship. (don’t misunderstand me – those who are experiencing Christ can find meaning within religious practices but it will always be Christ which fuels and compels them, not the religious practices themselves).

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These three goals are not just near and dear to my heart but are now part of my heart as much as Christ is a part of me. To not aim at these things would be more tumultuous to my soul than death. Truly I can not deviate from these goals – God has declared it now and surely declared it before I was born. My very breath is caught up in these goals and even when my spirit cries out under the pain of failure, frustration, persecution and rejection I can do no other.

I find many in the church today resist such efforts and decry the vision God has placed on my heart and which he has decreed in his scriptures. As much as I search my soul I do not know whether these people are unsaved wolves or simply wretched saints blinded by comfort and false promises of security. It hurts sometimes and it is often frustrating but I cannot see any other way to live and thus to the very day my body is laid in the grave I will pursue the painting and endeavor to foster the radiant colors and bold lines.

So to my church family at Otterbein, will you join with me? If so start by committing yourself to Christ recognizing that this means a mighty commitment to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Surely no man can say they are committed to Christ unless they are committed God’s children – heirs of his kingdom. Let our unity light a fire, let our love consume and by the grace of God we will see the broken find wholeness, the lost find direction and the despairing find hope. But most of all we will see God’s salvation apart from which we all are miserable wretches bound by our sins unto eternal death. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

- Daniel Altimus