Ambrose Shines a Light on Ministry that Lasts

Ambrose (340-397), the Bishop of Milan, was one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. I personally love his works but more importantly (and of course much more substantially) he is considered a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Anglican Communion, and various Lutheran denominations. He was hugely influential in the life and conversion of Augustine.

His book On the Duties of the Clergy is designed for the clergy but there is much fruit to be gleaned by any serious believer who wants to live a life of influence. Though I act as a cheerleader for the Christian classics, imploring people to mine their spiritual riches, I realize many view my obsession as an eccentric oddity. So in some of these “Closer to Christ” blog posts I’m going to offer book summaries to pass along their wisdom to those who don’t care to read an entire book that is centuries old.

In Book I, Ambrose discusses the call to teach and the “manifold dangers” incurred therein. “How many have I seen to fall into sin by speaking, but scarcely one by keeping silent?” The odds are that you’ll err more if you are too quick to speak but he also warns cowardly silence is a sin, too. “If we are to give account for an idle word, let us take care that we do not have to give it also for an idle silence.”

Many choose ministry and leadership for what leaders do; Ambrose redirects us to focus on what leaders are internally, insisting that for ministry in particular, “A pure inner life is a valuable possession.” The most fruitful ministry is based on spiritual authenticity. A particularly convicting section is composed of chapters V and VI, where Ambrose charges clergy to display humility even toward their enemies. If we spend too much energy defending ourselves, we risk appearing guilty. “He then, who is quickly roused by wrong makes himself seem deserving of insult, even whilst he wishes to be shown not to deserve it.”

As I read Ambrose, I’m reminded that humility will disarm so many of our detractors, in a way that taking violent offense will not. I’m guessing Ambrose wouldn’t be known as a “Twitter warrior” if he were alive today.

Ambrose urges leaders to embrace their parishioners like family (Chapter VII) and stresses that true Gospel ministry is always focused on showing mercy, especially toward the poor (Chapter XI and XII).

Let’s pause for a second here: Ambrose, one of the most brilliant bishops who ever served, puts humility and mercy at the top of the list for authentic Christian leadership.

Humility and mercy.

Is that what Christian leaders are known for today?

Later chapters extol the need to remember eternal punishment and rewards rather than worrying about or focusing on earthly accomplishment and fame. Seeking honor from the world will lead our ministry efforts astray because we’ll start fighting battles that don’t matter while neglecting the ones that do.

In chapter XX Ambrose warns against “dangerous associations” that could lead our hearts and actions astray, such as ungodly men, rich banquets, and inappropriate intimacies with women. If a few former “celebrity pastors” had read this chapter alone, they might still be in ministry…

Chapter XXI is a marvelous warning against the dangers of anger. Ambrose then warns against too much jesting, followed by a long (but worthwhile) discussion on the importance of prudence and truth. This might seem quaint, but if you sit back and ponder how many have had their ministries destroyed from a lack of prudence and a departure from the truth, you’d see the wisdom Ambrose possessed over 1500 years ago.  I can immediately think of three headlines that could have been erased if the leaders discussed therein had lived by prudence and truth. When you start taking foolish risks and you start lying to cover them up, you are racing toward collapse.

The Bishop once again demonstrates his practical understanding of church life when he urges strategic kindness: we should give generously, he says, but firstly to our family, secondly to the deserving who are in want from no fault of their own (rather than rewarding laziness or bad behavior), and especially the elderly or disabled who truly need the assistance. We shouldn’t give to appear generous, but rather give where it is most needed and most strategic. I loved this reminder. Give strategically.

Most of us would be duly convicted by Ambrose’s call to courage in Chapter XXXV and beyond. If we don’t have “contempt for all earthly things,” he warns, we will inevitably succumb to cowardice to preserve the earthly things we hold most dear. “Entangle not thyself in the affairs of this life, for thou art fighting for God.” Such an attitude gives us true freedom of mind because it protects us from grieving too much over earthly loss, or celebrating too much over earthly success and prosperity. Ambrose keeps God, faith and eternity as the true north for every earnest servant.

One of the many things I love about Ambrose’s work is that more than just telling us not to be cowards, he shows how we can develop courage in advance (Chapter XXXVIII). He’s a practical pastor and says we need to resolve ahead of time to be motivated by fear of God and the desire for heavenly rewards and just as importantly, anticipate challenge, temptation and misfortune so that we’ll be ready for it when it comes. Not looking for it and not expecting it means we will be caught by surprise and courage will be much less likely. If we can look ahead and resolve that we will hold fast to God and the truth regardless of any attack and regardless of anything that might be taken from us, as well as regardless of any good that might be withheld from us (a job, promotion, praise), we are far more likely to be found faithful when we are tested. If you are an influencer of any kind, you are going to be asked certain questions in public. If you haven’t already resolved how to answer those questions in a way that most honors God, you are twice as likely to dishonor God as you seek the favor of the world (or even of the moment) instead of God’s eternal glory.

In another very practical section (Chapter XLIV) Ambrose helps us understand where best to serve—not where our parents or others want us to serve, but modestly considering our true call and true gifts. I recently had a wonderful conversation with Gary Chapman (author of The Five Love Languages), who has been an assistant pastor at the same church for over 50 years. I’ve been an assistant on staff at Second for over a decade now. Because both of us can teach, people sometimes wonder why we’re not senior pastors. but the truth is both of us are spiritually content not being in charge and using our (in my case, limited) energies to focus elsewhere. If I could give a piece of advice to younger men and women, I’d urge them to consider what they are, but also become more aware of what they’re not. You’ll make the most impact when you serve according to your call, not others’ expectations. God is a creative God—what if He wants to use you in a way He’s never used someone before? What if He’s creating a new assignment just for you? Don’t seek power and recognition—seek a good fit for the gifts God has uniquely given to you.

While we focus on the tasks of ministry, Ambrose sees the first and true call of a genuine leader to be one of pursuing virtue: “What is virtuous may be compared to the good health and soundness of the body, whilst what is seemly is, as it were, its comeliness and health.” With the same earnestness that the “world” seeks good health and beauty, the servant of God should seek virtue and faith. Again, he stresses, ministry isn’t based primarily on what you do; it’s an outgrowth of who you are. Leading and learning without earnestly pursuing character growth is to build a house of cards; it’ll only take one slight wind to tear everything down.

In my few decades of ministry, I’ve seen gifted individuals suddenly get a much more visible platform and watch as the worst side of an unfinished character becomes visible for all to see. Success pushes them toward the worst part of their personality and it shows. Sometimes, they have valuable things to share, but the noise of their inner dysfunction is so loud people block their ears. It’s like you’re trying to have a conversation with someone who is really smart but has the most atrocious garlic breath you’ve ever encountered. Sooner rather than later, you deem that it’s not worth the effort.

The next two posts will look at Books II and III. I hope some of you will consider reading this remarkable work yourselves, and if you do, come back here and let’s discuss it in the comments.

For a book on growing your character, check out The Glorious Pursuit: Becoming Who God Created You to Be.

For a book on reading the Christian classics, check out Thirsting for God: Spiritual Refreshment for the Sacred Journey.