Sunday, November 17, 2013

A Job Or A Ministry?

“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Yesterday (Nov. 16) we commissioned our church’s leaders for 2014 during our annual “Leadership Commissioning & Orientation.”  Each of our leaders has been called by God to do the work of ministry in and through our church.  But how, exactly, can one tell if something we’re doing is just a “job”, or if it’s an actual “ministry”?  To find out, we should ask ourselves these questions…

“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 are doing it just well enough to get by, it’s a job.
            If you are doing it to the best of your ability, it’s a ministry.
If you will do it only so long as it doesn't interfere with other
           activities, it’s a job. If you are committed to staying with it,
            even when it means letting go of other things, it’s a ministry.
If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you,
            it was a job. If you stay with it even when no one seems
            to notice, it’s a ministry.
If you do it because someone else said it needs to be done, it’s
            a job. If you do it because you are convinced it needs to
            be done, it’s a ministry.
It is hard to be excited about a job.
            It is almost impossible NOT to get excited about a ministry.
People may say “Well done” when you do your job.
            The Lord will say “Well done” when you complete your ministry.
An average church is filled with people doing jobs.
            A great church is filled with people involved in ministry.”
                                  [--From the newsletter of Mt. View UMC in Kingsport, Tennessee]

I’m so glad to be part of a “great church” filled with people willing to do true ministry!  Always remember that whatever it is that we do or are called to, let’s do it as ministry with the world through God’s church. Remember that God loves you and I do, too

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