I read a lot of things relating to my spiritual growth and living the way God wants me to . . . doesn’t mean that I am always successful. But one I have to tell you that I have received a lot of good, solid teaching from Rick Warren at Saddleback Community Church in Lake Forest, California. Today’s posting was inspired by a daily devotional e-mail I received from Rick “Purpose Driven Connection”, several weeks ago. That coupled with my own walk and experiences helped to create today’s post. Thank you Pastor Rick!
Many of you know that Kris and I have spent time serving as missionaries in Kenya. During our first trip there, Kris and I separated. No . . . No . . . nothing like that! I mean, on this particular day, Kris when with one group to work at an orphanage and I went with another to high school in the slums.
As a little background to this about 30 of us were on this trip and we though we were allowed to bring two suitcases at no extra charge (that dates me doesn’t it!) we each only brought one suitcase and a plastic storage container. These containers were filled with everything from medical supplies, medicines, school supplies, clothing and shoes for the folks we would be working with.
Back to our story; my group was at the school to deliver some of the school supplies we brought with us. We all met in the schoolmaster’s office with Pastor Steve who was our leader as well as some of the teachers and unpacked our gifts for them.
Afterwards, our little group broke up and we went out into the schoolyard to connect with some of the kids. While I was standing there, I saw the schoolmaster walking across the makeshift soccer field toward me. When he finally reached me he greeted me again with his sing-songy Kenyan accent. And then he said, “Ah yew a meenistah?” I was taken aback because he knew who our pastor was. He had just had him in his office 5 minutes ago! I answered, “No, I’m not a minister, I am just one of the people here on mission. Steve, the tall guy over there is our pastor.” He retorted, “Yew ah weeth thees group yes?” I agreed. He continued, “ahnd yew ah heeya serving Christ yes?” Again, I answered yes. With his voice elevated for effect he concluded, “Theen yew ah a meenistah! We ah ahll meenistahs!” I got it!
In chapter 40 of his book; “The Purpose Driven Life” Pastor Rick Warren asks the question: “What will be the contribution of your life?” My translation of this what will be the legacy you will leave behind after you are gone? Will it be money, fame, property or lots of toys? Or will it be changed enriched lives . . . Lives that are different because those people came in contact with you during their life?
That is ministry. It’s not a big scary thing it is just simply anytime you use your gifts and talents to help others . . . you are ministering.
The bible talks a lot about ministry and the fact that every Christian on this earth for ministry:
We were Created for ministry (Ephisians, 2:10)
We were Saved for ministry (2 Timothy 1:9)
We are Called Into ministry (1 Peteer 2:9-10)
We are Gifted for ministry (1 Peter 4:10)
We are Authorized for ministry (Mathew 28:18-20)
We are Commanded to minister (Mathew 20:26-28)
We are Prepared for ministry (Ephisians 4:11-12)
WE are Needed for ministry (1 Corithians 12:27)
We are Accountable For and Rewarded according to his or her ministry (Colossians 3:23-24)
Look at 2 Timothy 1:9 LB
“He saved us and chose us for His holy work, not because we deserved it but because that was His plan long before the world began.”
Why did God save us? So we could serve Him. A non-serving Christian is a contradiction
So, If we were saved to serve God, how do we do that? We do through ministry by using the gifts and talents God gave us!
But how do we serve in ministry? Well, I can tell you this, It is much, much easier than may think. As the schoolmaster in Kenya helped me to understand: When we help others in the name of God . . . “We ah ahll meenistahs!”
In upcoming posts, I will discuss some of the super easy but effective ways of being in ministry, helping others.
As always, thank you for reading and following.
Blessings,
Our Walk of Faith 