”But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5)
These words were written in a letter by the Apostle Paul to his son in the gospel, Timothy. He wanted to insure that upon his passing, his young protege’ would be equipped with the tools he needed to fulfill his ministry to his generation.
The truth is every Christian is called to minister in some capacity. This thought brings up mental images of fiery preachers or Bible teachers who can expound on any topic from Genesis to Revelation. The word “MINISTRY” simply means to be an attendant or to serve. If this definition makes you think of a busy waiter in a restaurant at lunchtime, you’re on the right track.
No individual is without value in the Body of Christ. God has a place and a purpose for every single person. He didn’t save you just so you could be saved, and that’s all. He brought us out of the world so that He could bring us in to the family of God, and give us purpose.
He brought us OUT to bring us IN for a PURPOSE.
IDENTIFYING YOUR MINISTRY
God puts unique interests within each one of us. As we acknowledge those interests, and press into them, they become skills or talents. When we hone those talents, and use them to benefit the Kingdom of God, they become ministries.
Ministries can begin simply by asking ourselves a few questions:
-What do I enjoy?
-What am I interested in?
-What am I good at?
-What are people always commenting that I should do more of?
-What makes me feel rewarded and fulfilled?
These are likely the things that God wants to develop within you for ministry purposes.
Using myself as an example, I’ve always enjoyed reading since I first learned how. I’ve always been interested in books. I am naturally good at writing. Through the years, people have commented over and over that I should write a book. Getting something written that people are blessed, encouraged, inspired and taught by is very fulfilling to me. Writing is one of my ministries. How do I use this ministry for the Kingdom? I write Christian blogposts, articles, lessons and hopefully books.
You can use this same pattern over and over. People are not one dimensional; neither do our ministries have to be.
ENDLESS AREAS OF MINISTRY
Not all ministry is done behind a pulpit. Actually, most is not. You may never have a pulpit ministry or position, but you most definitely have a place to minister in the Body. Referring back to our definition of “Ministry” being to attend or serve, we know that anywhere there is people, there’s opportunity to serve.
Think about your local church. What do you see people doing every service? Pastor is preaching. Sunday School teachers are teaching. You may not be called or ready to do either of these ministries. But there are so many other activities happening. Someone takes up the offering. Could you do that? Someone probably greets people as they arrive to service. Could you do that?
What about behind the scenes? Someone creates the colorful classroom bulletin boards. Someone mows the grass, weeds the shrub beds, sweeps the porch, cleans the bathrooms, brings snacks to the students in Sunday School, decorates for holidays and special events, works in the nursery…The list goes on and on.
Think about outside your church building. Do you love to cook or bake? Could you make food and deliver meals to the elderly, shut ins, or first responders like the fire station, police department or National Guard Armory?
Do you have a way with the elderly? Could you make regular visits to the nursing home to bring comfort and joy?
Do you love to crochet? Could you crochet warm hats for chemo or dialysis patients?
Do you love the Word of God? Do you love hosting people in your home? Could you teach a home Bible study and serve a meal or coffee and dessert?
Do you love to give? Could you support a missionary with a monthly offering?
EXPANDED MINISTRIES
God does call people to ministries beyond their local church and community. Every missionary, evangelist, church planter, sought after musician, Christian author or conference speaker was once a person wrestling with their own interests, talents, giftings and callings. They didn’t start out their ministry by traveling to other countries and preaching to thousands. They started by painting bulletin boards, keeping the nursery and cleaning the bathrooms in their local church.
ARE YOU READY TO MINISTER?
1. Make sure you attend a local church that teaches and preaches the Truth of God’s Word. (You can find one in your area HERE.)
2. Be faithful and consistent to all services, classes and events.
3. Get involved! Begin to use your interests & talents wherever you can.
4. Establish a strong relationship with the Pastor.
5. Allow the Pastor to help guide you in your ministry decisions.
IN SUMMARY
You are uniquely you. You can minister in ways that others cannot. You can reach people with your giftings that others will not be able to reach. Being a servant in the Kingdom of God is more rewarding than all the accolades of the world. There are endless areas and opportunities to minister, and God most certainly wants to use you.
”For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Psalm 84:10)
Warm Regards,
~Pat~