Hammond encourages ministry leaders that faithfulness leads to opportunities in chapel message

“Ministry is the toughest job you will ever love,” W. Thomas Hammond, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, said in his April 12 chapel message at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

In his introduction of Hammond, Adam W. Greenway, president of Southwestern Seminary and TBC, noted the importance of his role as leader of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, as well as his impact on Southwestern Seminary, noting, “I want Georgia to know that they have a friend in Southwestern Seminary.” 

Directing the attention of the assembly to Acts 3:1-12, which describes Peter’s healing of the crippled beggar outside the temple, Hammond explained, “Faithfulness leads to more opportunities. See the need, get involved, step out in faith.” 

Ministry workers, Hammond noted, struggle against three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil, and he cautioned that these enemies will never weary of pursuing believers who share the gospel. He also warned that ministry workers will face apathetic and carnal churches, as well as people and groups who possess unrealistic expectations. 

Hammond explained that Peter and John most likely walked past the lame man multiple times per day and had probably seen him previously. However, on that day, Peter “fixed his eyes” on that beggar. He observed, “Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, sees this man and his situation.” 

Explaining that the Holy Spirit enables believers, like Peter, to do things beyond our ability, Hammond encouraged ministry workers to be “visionary leaders,” possessing the type of vision that is guided by the Holy Spirit. He also urged pastors and ministry leaders to pursue God by asking to see what God sees. 

“We will always face the battle of looking at our world with spiritual eyes,” Hammond said, “or just continuing to look inward and oiling the machine of the church or ministry that we lead.”  He encouraged those in ministry to “pursue God in such a way that he gives you a clear picture of what He’s doing, where He’s working, and where He is leading you.” 

Noting Peter’s willingness to engage with the lame man in verse 4, Hammond challenged believers to “see the need and get involved.” He cautioned that preaching about a topic can be easier for ministry leaders than it is to become personally involved. He added, “I have churches all over Georgia that are writing checks to send missionaries around the world, and they haven’t gone across the street to reach anyone in years. And those churches will die.”

Hammond emphasized the importance of believers to be so full of the Holy Spirit that the world sees Jesus in His followers and can look to believers for help during times of trouble as the lame man looked to Peter and John. 

“We’d better be so connected to the Lord that they see the Holy Spirit filling us, overflowing in us, and that they see a God that can transform their lives,” Hammond said. 

Referencing verses 6 and 7, Hammond noted the significance of Peter stepping out in faith by depending on the Lord to work through him by healing the lame man. Urging believers to step out in faith like Peter did, he promised pastors and ministry leaders that God will push them out of their comfort zones. He further challenged them to “step up, speak up, and believe God.” 

Hammond reminded the assembly to never take credit for anything, but rather to give all glory to God. He highlighted Peter’s response in verse 16 to the crowd of people who witnessed the healing of the beggar. He noted that Peter credited Jesus for the miracle, rather than his himself.

In closing, Hammond encouraged ministry leaders to see the need, get involved, and step out in faith as Peter and John did in this passage. 

Hammond previously served as the lead pastor of the Alpharetta First Baptist Church.

Hammond’s entire message can be viewed here. 

Chapel is held every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 a.m. (CT) in MacGorman Chapel on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chapel may be viewed live at swbts.edu/live.