Week 5: Chapter 4 — Ministry

1.Bonhoeffer opens this chapter by naming the great enemy of Christian service: the desire to dominate, to be significant, to shape others according to our own vision. He calls this the 'will to power' that lurks beneath even spiritual leadership. Have you ever recognized in yourself the impulse to serve others in a way that is really about controlling them? What did that look like?

2.He identifies several specific ministries that every member of the community must practice — not just leaders or the spiritually gifted. These include: the ministry of holding one's tongue, the ministry of meekness, the ministry of listening, the ministry of helpfulness, the ministry of bearing, the ministry of proclaiming, and the ministry of authority. Which of these ministries do you find most natural? Which is most difficult for you?

3.The ministry of listening gets particular attention: Bonhoeffer says many people seeking pastoral counsel don't actually need advice — they need someone to genuinely listen. How does the refusal to listen — cutting someone off with our own experiences, our quick advice, our pious platitudes — actually communicate a kind of contempt, however unintentional?