I’ve recently stepped into various ministry “roles” as of late and it’s got me thinking. For so long, having grown up “churched” we have this common perception of what it means to be IN ministry. I went to a Christian university and minored in Youth Ministry and took classes on it and have been to leadership conferences on ministry and it seems like I’m saturated in a church culture of ministry and have been for my entire life. As I’ve taken on these new roles of overseeing the college and HS ministries at my church home and being a part of the temporary board while we wait on the Lord to provide full time staff it has been so crazy. I know for a fact that the Lord has called me into this role for the time being and I am taking it very seriously. I have taken a personal responsibility for the lives of the young people the Lord has placed in our “ministry” and I know the Lord holds me accountable for each conversation, lesson taught, but most importantly for the life i live that they see. But that’s not the point here today…
I have over half a dozen close friends in similar ministries. And what a blessing to hear from them and see the things the Lord is doing all over the place. We “grew up” together and I simply can not express how crazy it is to see how the grace of God has transformed these men and is using them/us for His glory. We have been through the trenches together and done life together for at least 8 years now; which isnt too shabby considering most of us are all 26 right now. So what’s the point? The point is that ministry is LIFE. We have been ministering to one another since we were freshman in college and now we’re all ministering to those behind us in life. We are doing life with these kids and just living for the glory of God and LIVING the Gospel rather then just knowing it. From pulpits, to classrooms, to locker rooms, to garages, to coffee shops and living rooms we are CALLED to ministry. And likewise so are you. Even if God has not called you to a leadership role by the standards of a typical church, you have been called to live a life of service to our King.
My favorite part of being involved with college ministry is that ever so present looming of the unknown that is ahead of them. They are in a place of uncertainty as they try to figure out career paths and education choices and relationship adventures! How incredible and at the same time unsettling those days are. The greatest part of the whole process is the fact that in the midst of that unknown there is a very real and certain call and that is to live the Gospel everyday. That is to be relational and to love others. That is to speak truth and stand up for justice. That is to have a voice of reason amongst the scoffers and the seeking of their generation. That is to live in and GIVE out the GRACE that has been bestowed to us. This is my heart’s cry for this next generation. Oh to see a group of individuals raised up to be businessmen, teachers, spouses, doctors, nurses, janitors, athletes, students, gardeners, mothers and even pastors set ablaze and on a mission to be the image of Christ in their respective fields of work.
So that is my ministry; better yet this is my life. This is my calling. To help equip the saints to spread the gospel. My calling is different and it requires a different burden and sacrifices. My LIFE is not meant to be lived for only me and that’s ok because the good Lord has called me to this place and even when i try to fight it I remember it is in His will that I am most content and joyful. Ministry is self-less. Back to my guys, my armor bearers so to speak: the most self-less men I have yet to meet in my entire life. Living life and raised up to be ministers, these men daily encourage me and help me press forward in the work of the Lord. I only pray you too will have this. Look around you. In order to effectively minister, you need partners. We do not do this alone. David had his mighty men. Jesus had 11. Paul had a few. It is inevitable. I beg you to surround yourself with those who first and foremost love Jesus Christ. And I’m not talking about loving the idea of Him. But having had experienced that LOVE that they have been altered. They have been made new. Find your band of brothers (or sisters) and start doing life. I pray you find this. I pray you can know the love of a brother’s stern rebuke and the joy of a brother’s encouragement and uplifting with the you know what hits the fan. I promise you, you will need it. This is the start to any ministry. The first thing Jesus did was call his disciples.
That’s all for now. That’s where I’m at and in my ministry. I love you all.
