Faithful Ministry

"Ministry sucks."  This was the two word text I received yesterday from a friend and co-minister in Christ.  She was struggling because she had gone expecting to visit someone in the hospital, only to find out he had just passed away.  The man was homeless and friend of several people at Life Bridge.

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1 NIV)

She had brought a Bible with her to give to him as a gift.  Since she was visiting this homeless man and carrying a Bible, the nurse said to her, "You should give him last rites or something."  She payed with the family.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV)

Faithfulness is about just that: being full of faith.  It's about reminding ourselves to trust God in all circumstances.  In ministry, it's about passing that faith along to others.  You may be thinking, "That's fine, Pete, but I'm not in ministry."  I hate to disagree with you, but if you are in Christ, you are in ministry.  All Christ-followers have at least one job to do in Christ's Body, the Church.

Husbands minister to wives and wives minister to husbands.  Parents minister to children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Believe it or not, children (and grandchildren and great-grandchildren) minister to parents, too.  Brothers and sisters minister to one another.  Friends, coworkers, and neighbors minister to one another.  Sometimes we even minister to total strangers.  Sometimes those strangers become friends, so when they hurt (or die) we hurt.  It feels like ministry sucks.

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. (2 Timothy 2:3-4 NIV)

Ministry doesn't just suck, though.  It comes with great rewards.  When we minister to someone, passing along our faith to them, it feels good inside.  That's because the Holy Spirit is affirming us as we minister to one another.  We know that we just had a God-moment and that the other person was blessed by our actions.  Those ministry-moments strengthen our faith as well.  God's affirmation reminds us that God really is with us wherever we go.

Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2:5 NIV)

Not only do we feel the good Holy-Spirit feelings that go along with ministry, but we get the blessings that come with it.  Sometimes a person is grateful for you and that gratitude helps you through your day as well.  Sometimes they pray for you, too.  Sometimes you receive a special Christmas gift, a birthday card, or some other act of kindness that lets you know that they felt blessed by your ministry.  We don't minister to others to get the kindness back, but, like a good golf shot, it can give you what you need to go back and do it again.

The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. (2 Timothy 2:6 NIV)

Sometimes ministry becomes such a regular thing that people recognize how much time you are spending caring for others and they compensate you for your time.  They do this so you are not distracted by other priorities set by other employers.  You can spend all of your time focusing on serving and ministering to others.  You can pass on your faith to one more and one more and one more.  That's when the real joy comes into play.  You get to watch people develop new faith, grow in their faith, and become sharers of their faith.  You get to be there for the "harvest" of faith.

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. (2 Timothy 2:7 NIV)

So, how about you?  Are you faithful in ministry?  Do you know people who have been faithful in ministering to you?