Love the Lord your God through Christian ministry. Ministry is
work; this is my pastor's message for all people who want to participate
in a ministry of any kind. Ministry comes from the Greek word
"diakoneo," meaning, "to serve." Ministry, as a service to God, can be
thought of as a deliberate form of worship. We worship Jesus by praising
Him, obeying His commands, and doing what pleases Him. In Matthew
20:28, "even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and
to give his life as a ransom for many." Jesus came to serve; we are to
strive to be like Jesus; therefore we are here to serve. Men in ministry
let us have a wake up call!
There is clearly an expectation for each one of us in Christian Service. Jesus was obedient to death, even death on the cross. Critical to ministry is obedience: obedience to Jesus Christ and obedience to the leaders of the Church-primarily the senior pastor or his designate-are essential to ministry.
The action elements of Christian ministry are meeting people's needs in love and humility, placing emphasis on sharing the Gospel. The commands from Jesus-Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and strength, and Love your neighbor as yourself-are the measuring stick for everything the Christian does.
Reading these few paragraphs, it becomes apparent that participation in Christian ministry is a requirement for every Christian. All the excuses of time and talent or liking or disliking the people in a ministry have no place in the ministry selection process. The decision must be based on obedience, humility, meeting a need, and sharing the Gospel.
How does one go about finding a ministry to serve? The first place to look is the senior pastor. The question you should ask yourself is, what does my pastor need in the area of ministry? Find a ministry need. Normally the ministry needs are obvious and frequently announced.
Next, step into the ministry. The pastor's direction into a ministry defines the ministry that is yours. Step in: it does not make any difference if the knowledge base for the ministry is unfamiliar to you. Think of Abraham or Moses or Gideon or Nehemiah, to name a few. In the New Testament, look at the apostles. None of the apostles or the Old Testament characters had the knowledge base or the background for the ministry into which they were placed.
It's time now to step into ministry and trust in the Lord with all your heart. Get to work and pray for the assistance of the Holy Spirit. He is there and waiting to help you. If the ministry is easy for you, you do not need God; therefore it is not the right ministry for you. God has got to be in it, and be needed in it, for the ministry work to be successful! Always remember: signs and wonders follow an action; they do not lead. If you're in the ministry that God wants for you, signs and wonders will follow; don't wait for signs to lead you into the ministry that God wants you to do.
There is clearly an expectation for each one of us in Christian Service. Jesus was obedient to death, even death on the cross. Critical to ministry is obedience: obedience to Jesus Christ and obedience to the leaders of the Church-primarily the senior pastor or his designate-are essential to ministry.
The action elements of Christian ministry are meeting people's needs in love and humility, placing emphasis on sharing the Gospel. The commands from Jesus-Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and strength, and Love your neighbor as yourself-are the measuring stick for everything the Christian does.
Reading these few paragraphs, it becomes apparent that participation in Christian ministry is a requirement for every Christian. All the excuses of time and talent or liking or disliking the people in a ministry have no place in the ministry selection process. The decision must be based on obedience, humility, meeting a need, and sharing the Gospel.
How does one go about finding a ministry to serve? The first place to look is the senior pastor. The question you should ask yourself is, what does my pastor need in the area of ministry? Find a ministry need. Normally the ministry needs are obvious and frequently announced.
Next, step into the ministry. The pastor's direction into a ministry defines the ministry that is yours. Step in: it does not make any difference if the knowledge base for the ministry is unfamiliar to you. Think of Abraham or Moses or Gideon or Nehemiah, to name a few. In the New Testament, look at the apostles. None of the apostles or the Old Testament characters had the knowledge base or the background for the ministry into which they were placed.
It's time now to step into ministry and trust in the Lord with all your heart. Get to work and pray for the assistance of the Holy Spirit. He is there and waiting to help you. If the ministry is easy for you, you do not need God; therefore it is not the right ministry for you. God has got to be in it, and be needed in it, for the ministry work to be successful! Always remember: signs and wonders follow an action; they do not lead. If you're in the ministry that God wants for you, signs and wonders will follow; don't wait for signs to lead you into the ministry that God wants you to do.
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