I have the best job in the
world. Actually, I have several jobs but
the one I’m talking about today is my job as an evangelist. Saying job sounds sort of weird because it’s
a ministry but since I am financially compensated, it qualifies as a job. Getting to hear the stories of people who are
searching for God is the BEST. I never
listen to someone share their faith journey and think, “well, that was nothing
special.” It is always special. I heard something at Al-Anon the other night I
hadn’t heard before: we are spiritual
beings having a human experience, not
human beings having a spiritual experience. We are actually having an out-of-body
experience every day because who we truly are is not the tangible body we
inhabit.
At this time of year, schools are
gearing up for a new year and churches are also getting ready for a new
start. In my own congregation and those
where I consult, I hear lots of conversations around what to do and when, what
we will call it, who will lead it, and the dreaded how we will get them to come
to it. I say dreaded because if we are creating
ministry and have to ask the question, “how do we get them to” then we are likely
creating something we want and not necessarily something that meets the needs
of others.
Many of these conversations also
include a discussion of someone who created a sign-up sheet and a blurb in the
weekly bulletin but no one participated. The discussion will usually conclude with
folks throwing up their hands in desperation because they just can’t figure out
how to get people to do XYZ. When this
happens, I ask, “What is the need you are trying to meet?” “What are the people
you serve saying they want?” A point of
clarification: if you haven’t personally
invited folks to participate, then you don’t really know what the response is
because I find that absolutely nothing takes the place of personal
invitation. Mass communication plants a
seed and that is all it does.
You must discern, with those you
are serving, what their need is and what would meet that need. Then you design something in response. Through conversation with those you are
serving, you will get a much better idea of 1) what ministry is needed, 2) what
it should look like and 3) how it should be communicated. Then, you are not in the business (and I say
business on purpose) of getting people to do anything. You are ministering to others.
And that is what we are called to
do. Minister. As Christians, we are not creating
programs. Corporations have
programs. Schools have programs. We are not programming anyone. We are ministering. It hurts my heart when I hear the word program when folks are really talking
about ministry. I credit my rector, the Rev.
Beth Fain, for her consistent teaching on this point. You are not volunteering - you are serving. It’s not a campaign - it's a mission. For a church so focused on liturgy
and language, it surprises me how often we use words that take us away from spirituality. Anything you do to expand the kingdom and
share the Good News is ministry –
even updating your website or stuffing envelopes.
And what is the Good News? Lately, I have been thinking a lot about that
as I listen with holy curiosity to these messengers.
I don’t ask too many questions; I mostly listen. I find that people aren’t so much looking for
information as they are searching for affirmation that the News they are seeking
isn’t crazy or weird or ridiculous. I am
finding the Good News takes many forms: forgiveness, unconditional love,
healing. It is whatever someone needs
from Jesus. Looking for Jesus is the
most personal thing a person can do and however that looks is worthy. That is why it is so important we avoid deciding
for others what fruit they should bear.
In relationship, we create ministries that bring people closer to God,
to meet their needs on the journey.
If you are feeling frustrated or discouraged in your ministry, remember we are spiritual beings having a
human experience. Return to a place of
discernment and ask those you serve:
What do you need?
No comments:
Post a Comment