Ministry lessons from a movie masterpiece

Some of you may have been wondering what the image at the top of my blog depicts. Others of you may have recognized it immediately. Either way, I thought I'd take a minute to explain it a little more.

In 1954 the late Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa made a film that would go on to become the most critically-acclaimed film in all of Japanese cinema history--and one of the most acclaimed worldwide as well. That movie was called "Shichinin no Samurai" ("The Seven Samurai").

It was the story of a group of 7 masterless samurai who agreed to help defend a farming village from bandits for nothing more than food and lodging in return. The film would go one to influence western movies and even generate remakes of it, such as "The Magnificent Seven" starring Steve McQueen and Yul Brennar.

In the film the 7 samurai all have differing personalities, strengths and mannerisms and the movie follows their develpment from 7 lone warriors into solidified team who are willing to give their lives to protect the often ungrateful villagers. This theme stuck out in my mind because I've always been fascinated with the parallels between the samurai and the Christian Disciple (which you can read more about here). In this case, the parallel is to that of ministry in general.

Like the 7 samurai in the film, people in ministry often find themselves committing to seemingly hopeless situations ("Make disciples of ALL nations??"), working side by side with others they barely know (think how Jesus' first followers must have felt--a tax collector and a zealot in the same small group?!?), and often serving some who share the villagers sense of ingratitude or even hostility ("This is MY church, so you're gonna need MY support if you want anything to get done here."). Of course, this is not always the case and the rewards often far outweigh the difficulties. But as I watch the 7 in their pledge to protect the village and train up the villagers to protect themselves alongside them, I can't help but see 7 ministers pledging to serve and equip the Body of Christ to fight the powers of darkness and expand God's kingdom. Looking at it this way helps to keep me focused on the overall big picture when I'm tempted to get bogged down or discouraged by the details or the mundane aspects of ministry.

But there is another theme in Kurosawa's movie which I resonated with immediately and have ever since; one that is more personal. The 7 are led by a samurai named Kambei and his second-in-command, Gorobei. The others all have their roles and differing skill sets which all work toward the common goal. Even the seemingly-useless or crazy among them, Katsushiro and Kikuchiyo, play vital roles on the team. However, there is one among them who I always related to more than the others--Kyuzo (the one on the right in the picture up top).

Kyuzo initially refused to join the group's cause. He was only concerned with bettering himself as a swordsman and testing his skill against the best in the land. Anyone who knew me in college before I decided to go into ministry can see this parallel! I never wanted to committ to a church or ministry. Rather, I wanted to study and sharpen my theological/apologetic skill by engaging the best thinkers and influencers who challenged the Christian faith. However, Kyuzo eventually accepts the mission and joins the team. Sometime during the year between college and Seminary, I finally decided to commit myself to the ministry. It wasn't a precise moment I can look back on; rather, it was a gradual desire that arose from somewhere within me and which I knew was God's leading.

Kyuzo has two other characteristics that I identify with--one negative and one positive. On the negative end, he is often stoic and withdrawn from the others, choosing to observe rather than initiate. This is a personality trait that is shared by the men in my family. Often, both my Dad and I have been told we come across as too serious or disengaged at times, often withdrawing into our heads. Fortunately, we've had my Mom to help snap us out when needed (anyone who's met her knows this!). I've done much better at this over the past few years, but my first few years in ministry (beginning right after college) were often quite Kyuzo-esque, at times. neglecting the personal or emotional aspects of ministry in favor of sharpening my skills through books, debates, seminars, open-air preaching, etc.

On the positive end, though, Kyuzo's greatest contribution to the team is the fact that he HAS trained so hard and IS a skilled swordsman. He is not the leader of the team (and he prefers it this way!). However, when it comes time to train the villagers to handle the sword, Kyuzo is the one to whom they look. I feel this way, at least in my current role as Pastor of Discipleship. God has placed me at GS in a position of leadership, but beneath other leaders to whom I am accountable and whom I am to obey when it comes to ministry-related decisions. And like Kyuzo, I wouldn't have it any other way! I know that I am no Kambei or Gorobei. My place is with the villagers, teaching them to wield the sword, battle the enemy, and defend and eventually train those less equipped. I am called to help make those beside whom I serve, my fellow ministers, better each day as well by sharing what I have learned from the Kyuzos in my life.

In the end, Kyuzo is not among the surviving samurai. He dies defending the village. In fact, the very last scene of the movie shows him and the others who have fallen with him buried with their swords standing over their graves.

I don't know when my time will come, but I can't think of a better depiction of the legacy I hope to leave behind for the next generation of Disciples.

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

(interestingly enough, the word "samurai" literally means "one who serves.")

JMS