Keith's Korner for September
Do you have a JOB or a MINISTRY?
It’s that time of year again. We’re looking ahead to 2011 and beyond as we prepare for our annual Church Conference, nominations to leadership positions and budget concerns as we enter a time of clustering to share what brought us and kept us at Faith UMC and seek to discern where God is leading us from here.
So, where do you and I fit in?
We fit in by individually and corporately seeking to discern where God is at work and where He is inviting us to join Him in those opportunities.
In the coming weeks, and maybe months we are looking at just about everything we are and do, how we do them and WHY we do them…AND WHAT AND HOW WOULD GOD HAVE US DO WHAT WE DO.
It means that, since God IS always doing a new thing in our midst, we must PRAYERFULLY DISCERN TOGETHER.
To help in this, please read the following and act appropriately on it.
Do you have a JOB or a MINISTRY?
If you are doing it just because no one else will, it's a JOB.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a MINISTRY.
If you quit because someone criticizes you, it's a JOB.
If you keep on serving, it's a MINISTRY.
If you'll do it only so long as it does not 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.
If you quit because no one praises you, or thanks you, it's a JOB.
If you stay with it even though no one recognizes your efforts, it's a MINSTRY.
If your concern is success, it's a JOB.
If your concern is faithfulness, it's a MINISTRY.
The average church is filled with people doing JOBS.
A great and growing church is filled with people involved in MINISTRY.
Where do you fit in???
Where does your church fit in???
If God calls you to a MINISTRY, don't treat it like a JOB.
If you have a JOB in the church, give it up and find a MINISTRY.
God doesn't want us feeling stuck with a JOB,
but excited and faithful to Him in MINISTRY.
As we continue through preparations to discern where God is inviting us to join Him in ministry in the coming year and years please remember:
- It’s OK to prayerfully and obediently say, “No” (or “Yes”).
- It’s OK to prayerfully and obediently volunteer.
- It’s OK to prayerfully and obediently accept a new opportunity even when involves releasing a predictable and comfortable one to do so.
- It’s OK to prayerfully make suggestions, ask questions and raise objections as we discern together.
- It’s OK to prayerfully and obediently have a change of heart, mind and approach – it’s a sign of maturity to be able to do so.
In other words, if it’s done prayerfully, obediently and open to further discernment, just about anything goes as we move ahead together in 2011 and beyond, so get on board whatever that means for you and us.
Pastor Keith
