Ministry in and out of church . . .

 

They have been called pew-warmers. They come to church every Sunday, even take classes for this or that, but never plug in to serve. In a church the size of ours, it is easy to let others do it. Most of them are younger, have more energy, and if they take turns, no task takes much of a chunk of time or effort. Once a month to wash brunch tablecloths or clean up after everyone eats is easy. However, there are a few who come in late, leave early. It seems going to church is like attending a movie theater.

It is easy to be critical. What about those who spend hours preparing sermons? Or Sunday school lessons? Or leading small groups? We know that serving Sundays in the church building is not the only option for doing ministry.

And Jesus called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.” (Matthew 10:1)

“Disciple” means learner and “apostle” means sent out. Jesus taught His disciples what to do and how to do it. Some of this was ministry toward one another, yet in this verse, it was outside the body of Christ. Those with unclean spirits needed healing. Those with physical disease and affliction needed healing. Those who didn’t know about Jesus needed to hear about Him. Today, needs are like that and even greater and more varied.

A father tells us that his daughter, age 14, has had an evil spirit since she was very young. She needs the ministry of deliverance. Daily we hear of those with cancer and other diseases. Many fear death and need to know about Jesus. People have physical  needs that can be met by our time, money, even just our attention. I read yesterday that loneliness is destroying lives just as much as smoking cigarettes. The Bible calls me to do what I can to demonstrate the love of God with my efforts to minister to others.

I just read part of a book that describes the need for prayer and how many Christians make excuses for not praying or for very little praying. One prayer warrior said, “ . . . . one of the crying evils of these times, maybe of all times—little or no praying. Of these two evils, perhaps little praying is worse than no praying . . . . Little praying is a kind of make-believe, a salve for the conscience, a farce and a delusion.” (E. M. Bounds)

These thoughts touch my heart. I can make excuses too. Often, they involve being too busy, or too tired. However, Jesus taught His disciples by example. He prayed in His busyness and fatigue. And this is what He wants from me. It too is an important ministry.

Prayer requests are sometimes listed in church bulletins. Prayer meetings are necessary because without prayer, the church weakens. Some will eventually shut their doors. The leaders in a prayerless church cannot be strong in the Lord without prayer support. Prayer is one ‘ministry’ that is possible no matter when or where, and not restricted to the building.

Another ‘out there’ ministry is the Great Commission.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20)

How many folks that warm the pews are out there warming up hearts to faith in Christ? How many are sharing Jesus with unsaved family and friends? How many are making disciples without being on a list in the church office? I heard last week from a woman whose faith was mightily restored because of a letter a Christian wrote to another person and that other person shared it with her. Ministry takes many forms and God uses our acts of obedience, however ‘small’ they might seem.

Jesus, in reading these things, I’m convicted of my excuse-making. I’m not called to teach Sunday school or make/serve/clean up in our brunch ministry, but I am called to pray, not just for those who do these things, but for many other needy people and needy places in this messed up world. Forgive my lapses. Give me an eagerness to pray that overcomes any excuses I make and overwhelms my tendency to ‘forget’ which is the worst excuse of all. Fill my heart and mind with what You want me to pray about, and the things You want me to do when I should be the answer to my own prayer requests. Fill me with Your Spirit and may I listen well and obey quickly. Amen.

READ often about the way Jesus lived and how He prayed. Focus on Him and hear what He wants me to do and how He wants me to pray.

 

 

 

How to strengthen others

Yesterday, I thanked a woman for being a big encouragement to me. She gave me a hug then laughed, “It isn’t that I’ve tried. I’m just being who I am, the way God made me.” 

This morning, I read the conversation between Jesus and Peter just before the crucifixion and before Peter’s denial that he knows Jesus.

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” (Luke 22:31–34)

When you have strengthened your brothers. What does that look like? The devotional comments are about sharing the grace God gives us. God did not save me for my own sake but for His own name’s sake, that through me He might show his mercy and grace to others. 

I agree. What good is light from the Lord if it is hidden or hoarded? Jesus even said,

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14–16)

In particular, if I fail as Peter did, the lessons learned in that crash are not just for me, nor are the lessons learned from God’s grace as He restores me. At the very least, others need to know that no matter the thud when I hit the ground, the Lord’s mercy and grace overcome any foolishness on my part. He picks me up and sets me on my feet, not once, but every time that I fail.

Although it can be, strengthening others is not necessarily done with specific intent. It can happen simply by being who we are. Like my friend, God creates us with certain personalities and gifts. Being true to that results in ministry to others. She is open, honest, and shares herself without trying to be anything to anyone. In doing that, she builds me up. My personality and gifts are not the same as hers. Imitating her words and actions will not work. Instead, God wants me to let ‘my’ light shine, letting others see what He has given me. 

In Peter’s case, he was gifted to lead the flock of God and teach them. After Christ had died and rose again, He gave Peter his job description…

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” (John 21:15–16)

Based on how God made me, what is His challenge for my life? I’ve been told that my spiritual gifts are teaching and discernment. Several have challenged to write a personal purpose statement. It finally has distilled to this: Learn all I can from the Lord and pass it on to others. 

Whatever form that takes, from a casual conversation to leading in a classroom situation, God has given many opportunities to fulfill that purpose, just as He gave Peter many opportunities to strengthen his brothers and feed his sheep and my friend many opportunities to encourage others.

From these verses and yesterday’s experience, it seems clear that being and doing whatever God puts into our hearts produces a sense of living out God’s purpose, but also makes us a blessing to those around us.