I reflect myself after reading the church bulletin last sunday. Don't get me wrong, these ministries are wonderful and it is very significant for the congregration in the church. Inside, i find a long list of ministry that is actively been carry out in church. Not only that, I have also obeserved that the current CE program is consistent that and at almost every saturday's Church calendar, it seems there are programs that will last from 9am to 5pm.
I used to get the impression that in order to be ministry, my effort has to be on the church calendar and part of a church program.
But wait! Something doesn’t seem right. Is this all there is to ministry? I get the impression that in order to be part of the ministry, my effort has to be on the church calendar and part of a church program. What about helping a neighbour? Or, helping a student with his studies? Or, making sure my work is done in a God-honoring way? Where does that fit in?
If we only see ministry as something that we can schedule, or program, then we have a very incomplete picture.
When church programs are scheduled officially, the church will observe how active each christians participated in and the any other which is not listed in program, is not recognized no matter how much active we are involve to share Gods work in it. The notion that things that happen in the church, or are part of a church program, are ministry and that the rest are not, is false. In part this is a result of the old Greek and Roman culture that the idea that some activities are sacred and others are secular. I strongly think this needs to be challenged and corrected.
I believe there is another reason for this misconception. Christians will practice the activities that are recognized and appreciated in the church. When was the last time someone was recognized for helping a neighbor, teaching bible study with the ex-prisoners, or conducting his business in a God-honoring way, unless it was part of a formal church program? Instead we have Cell Group leaders, youth leaders or the Sunday School teachers recognized from the platform. We have a mission team do a presentation when they return from their trip. These are exciting to report and they should be reported. But if we only tell these kinds of stories we fail to show people that ministry can happen in the everyday pathways of life too.
The Church needs to tell the stories about how God uses everyday activities that come along as teaching moments to share faith in natural everyday settings. In that way she will be showing Christians how to take Christ into every corner of their lives – their homes, their communities and their workplace.
Ministry is a lifestyle choice, not a scheduling choice. It is about the relationships we create. It’s about bringing God’s blessing to those he puts in our way. I believe our fellow members in church are too focus on the scheduled programs in Church. We should reflect back with our relationship with God and seek where we can serve God in a more flexible way towards our minitry with our neighbors, our communities and workplace, many who may not know God personally or opportunity is waiting among us to do that. Flexible in a way that allows God to call us out of the comfort zone as many of us are enjoying serving in the comfort zone areas in church.
Matt 5.16" 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. "
You can find Brian’s article “Is the church telling the complete story?” to find the similar story shared above.
http://brianmosleyblog.com/2011/01/28/is-the-church-telling-the-complete-story/
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