In Ephesians 4:12 Paul writes that God blesses the church with gifts and abilities in order: “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” As we’ve begun a new year, welcomed new members to our church council, and started to seek out people to take on tasks within the congregation, I have been so pleased to see the gifts of God identified in our people, and the willingness to serve on behalf of many. We are blessed with these people and talents, and we have great opportunities before us. I was reminded of a piece I read about working in the church:
A Job vs. A Ministry
Someone has said there is a huge difference between having a job at church and having a ministry at church.
… If you are doing it because no one else will, it’s a job. If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it’s a ministry.
… If you’re doing it just well enough to get by, it’s a job. If you’re doing it to the best of your ability, it’s a ministry.
… If you’ll do it only so long as it doesn’t interfere with other
activities, it’s a job. If you’re committed to staying with it even when it means letting go of other things, it’s a ministry.
… It’s hard to get excited about a job. It’s almost impossible not to get excited about a ministry.
An average church is filled with people doing jobs. A great church is filled with people involved in ministry.
from Mickey Anders, The Beginning of Ministry
I really do believe that God would like us to be a great church, with many people involved in ministry. That is, we can be a congregation known, not because of our size, or our building, or our location, but because of the way people see us love one another, care for God’s people and God’s creation, and reflect God’s grace and light in our neighborhood and world.
In Christ,
Pastor John Twiton
