The Deliberate Ruminator

Ministry opportunity, you know, all those committee’s and organizations, sales and outreaches, all the OPPORTUNITIES to serve God and the church.  Of course, the ministry you are involved in is the one EVERYONE should help with, right?  I hope you say, “No”.  But, I wonder if you or someone you know has ever become frustrated about the lack of help for a particular effort that is close to your heart?  Have you ever caught yourself begging for help (I have) and then accepting help from those that really weren’t gifted for that ministry?  Hmmmmm.

Well, the 6th chapter of the book of Acts discusses this exact situation.  Did you know the Bible is relevant to today’s world?!?  Here is the key excerpt:

…the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ^2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ^3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ^4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

The Holy Bible : NIV Acts 6:1-4

There are some key solutions presented here.  First, the problem or need is recognized and NOT ignored.  Then, the church leaders present the obvious recommendation that they CANNOT do EVERYTHING, and others must be appointed to this ministry of feeding the widows.  After all, they are fully involved in their own ministry of spreading the gospel.  Next, they choose leaders based on their knowledge of those around them.  They seek Godly, wise leaders.  They hand over the responsibility and then they go back to their own ministry duties.

I wonder, have you ever been given a job to do, but no power to do it?  That seems to happen a lot in churches today.  “I need you to do this, but do it my way”, or “Here, help with this” but never bother to find out if you are good at it or gifted to do it.  You see, I was involved in youth ministry.  I learned I was gifted in being able to get to know the kids and gain trust.  I am gifted in knowledge and teaching a bit.  BUT, I learned I am not a manager.  I learned I needed to give up power and let others do the jobs on their own.  It’s not easy, but I learned I needed to really seek out others who were gifted to work with youth.  It takes work and unfortunately most people aren’t ready to raise their hands for some reason.  You have to seek them out and find the right cards for the deck, no jokers.

Well, it comes down to the church leadership needing to be ready to appoint others to do work, then they can do their own job to the best of their ability.  Seems simple, and as written in the book of Acts it used to be simple.  We are the ones who have made it difficult.  If you are unsure what ministry you may be cut out for, check out this entry:

 http://tree63fan.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/tough-truth/

In Christ,

Jeff