Followers (Of Christ),
Have you ever really set at your desk (assuming you have one, many don't anymore with today's smartphones and laptops) and given more than 45 seconds of deep thought wondering, what really is a Ministry? What kind of people are allowed to do one? And, really what do Ministries do? Well, today, we want to take some of the mini-ministries-mystery out of that. And if you can say "mini-ministries-mystery" real fast 10 times without tongue-tying,....then yes, you might better than us even.
You will recall last Sunday, we write about the return of The Great Commission Is Returning. It may have raised the level of expectation that Ministries in America, may really only just be getting started, or even re-invigorated in the near future. It is true, and if it did not get you excited, then that is perhaps our own fault for not stating strongly enough. Especially with technology upon us, the age for Ministries to develop and even augment churches with technology, is now.
Usually a Ministry is derived from or related to a specific church or denomination. At least that is how it used to be perceived by some thanks to the "establishment religions of control". Yet, not always, and not required. In fact, all studies seem to suggest the less "attached" to a church or denomination it is, the better if totally independent as it conforms to what people feel comfortable with. People of today tend to feel more comfortable with less "religiousness", less "denomination", and more just root scriptures, teachings of Christ they can see for themselves and the actually applied "love" and "caring" side of things actually applied (as a doer of the word, or a person reaching out to seek) First the what's, ...then the who's...
What Do Ministries Do?
Ministries as an outreach of Christ, can be virtually anything, and in the modern sense, that meets and fills a need or service. That also in modern terms, should keep in mind that people are resentful of Ministries being "all overhead" and all "expenses" then seeing the dollar that went in, being only a nickel on the way out. So whatever it is, the new philosophy is , be reasonable and efficient. Yet Ministries typical are what typically comes to mind. Hospice ministry, hospital visitation, prayer ministry, elder care, missions programs, food pantries and clothes closets. Those are only the smallest limitations however based solely on "in the box" concepts. It is that, and so much more. It is also about what your skills are, what you "can do" and then just "give it" to people. By example, Goodwill sometimes helps people fill out resumes for employment, or there are Ministries that put together a labor force and helps clean up after disaster for the elderly and disabled, or delivers hot meals, or helps people with rent assistance, utility payments, access to health care services, find raising for crisis or disaster relief, providing services to the elderly and the disabled, travels to other area and helps with children's health and welfare.There are "men's Ministries", "women's Ministries" , "marriage Ministries", "singles Ministries". Do not be limited by others imagination, rely on your observation skills to see the needs in your own community.
You see we said the words "you". We are talking to you. If you ever wonder who can do a Ministry, we have an answer for you. You. The answer is you. You may recall from earlier post we break down the word of "Saints", which are not extra special equipped followers of Christ beyond committed in their excellence to The Spirit, and now, in Christ. Within the Christian belief system, while Ministries are often founded or run by so called Ministers, so called clergy, and so called ordained,...the unique thing about Christianity is, you do not have to be ordained or a Minister of a "church authority", or all churches will claim they are the only real authority, though some do (for their own). You can be a Christian Ministry, non-denominational, and be a "lay person". The biggest myth out there about Ministries that keeps people from starting or running a Christian Ministry, is the misunderstanding that you must be ordained or clergy and operating as a offshoot of a religious recognized church. Not true and can also be other religious organization, and even started by "just a regular Christian".
Now, in other religions, using Jewish Rabbis and Muslim Imam as example, while they are not "ordained" as Christians are in their own 501 C3 context and word implications, they slightly differ (not less than or greater than as a legal thing) in that they are usually needed to be "educated" of their religious system (just a slight wording difference, but quite similar), yet not in Christianity, where even the "lay" can found, direct operate and be the ministry in whatever it is it does non-denominational, and typically also involves eventually recruiting others. No, it is does not require being established by a church "per se", and yes, if you are a follower of Christ, you do your Ministry work unto him in service, to the needs you are led and called to do that is his work (In original Greek, the "work" or sometimes "Ergon" is δουλειά), inspired to do, can do, or see the needs of. This sense of service or "Ministry" is sometimes translated in Greek as "Diakonia", or if you like it Greek as is,...διακονία, from 2 Corinthians 4:1; 5:18, and others such as " Romans 15:16 "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. ". You just might even see a need in your community and region, and then apply yourself to filling those needs. In Christianity, your "church"...is the people. Your Minister you serve under, is Christ. He is the head of the church of his peoples.
Now that you know you can start or be a ministry, have you thought which Ministry are you, about what kind of Ministry and service you can reach to the needs in a community for? Have you given long range thought to how you might potentially serve even in this Ministry in years ahead? For us, it is always, and always will be about Christ.
In anything you do, do it to the service of Christ.(<click)
Blessings and Goodwill,
MMM
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Have you ever really set at your desk (assuming you have one, many don't anymore with today's smartphones and laptops) and given more than 45 seconds of deep thought wondering, what really is a Ministry? What kind of people are allowed to do one? And, really what do Ministries do? Well, today, we want to take some of the mini-ministries-mystery out of that. And if you can say "mini-ministries-mystery" real fast 10 times without tongue-tying,....then yes, you might better than us even.
You will recall last Sunday, we write about the return of The Great Commission Is Returning. It may have raised the level of expectation that Ministries in America, may really only just be getting started, or even re-invigorated in the near future. It is true, and if it did not get you excited, then that is perhaps our own fault for not stating strongly enough. Especially with technology upon us, the age for Ministries to develop and even augment churches with technology, is now.
Usually a Ministry is derived from or related to a specific church or denomination. At least that is how it used to be perceived by some thanks to the "establishment religions of control". Yet, not always, and not required. In fact, all studies seem to suggest the less "attached" to a church or denomination it is, the better if totally independent as it conforms to what people feel comfortable with. People of today tend to feel more comfortable with less "religiousness", less "denomination", and more just root scriptures, teachings of Christ they can see for themselves and the actually applied "love" and "caring" side of things actually applied (as a doer of the word, or a person reaching out to seek) First the what's, ...then the who's...
What Do Ministries Do?
 | |
| This does not seem too bad, Free coffee and Soup-Dounts? Well, no, we don't do that. Sort of wish we did. Yet, this was a response to a human need and want, and free to the unemployed. Our point is, this was a response, an outreach to human needs. Ministries are for humans, reaching to needs.Our second point made, and don't get the wrong idea here, but it seems mighty Christian to help people right? Well, this outfit pictured was owned by Al Capone, yes, the crook. If a crook can do this, can't and shouldn't followers of Christ do even better? (let's hope so). |
Ministries as an outreach of Christ, can be virtually anything, and in the modern sense, that meets and fills a need or service. That also in modern terms, should keep in mind that people are resentful of Ministries being "all overhead" and all "expenses" then seeing the dollar that went in, being only a nickel on the way out. So whatever it is, the new philosophy is , be reasonable and efficient. Yet Ministries typical are what typically comes to mind. Hospice ministry, hospital visitation, prayer ministry, elder care, missions programs, food pantries and clothes closets. Those are only the smallest limitations however based solely on "in the box" concepts. It is that, and so much more. It is also about what your skills are, what you "can do" and then just "give it" to people. By example, Goodwill sometimes helps people fill out resumes for employment, or there are Ministries that put together a labor force and helps clean up after disaster for the elderly and disabled, or delivers hot meals, or helps people with rent assistance, utility payments, access to health care services, find raising for crisis or disaster relief, providing services to the elderly and the disabled, travels to other area and helps with children's health and welfare.There are "men's Ministries", "women's Ministries" , "marriage Ministries", "singles Ministries". Do not be limited by others imagination, rely on your observation skills to see the needs in your own community.
You see we said the words "you". We are talking to you. If you ever wonder who can do a Ministry, we have an answer for you. You. The answer is you. You may recall from earlier post we break down the word of "Saints", which are not extra special equipped followers of Christ beyond committed in their excellence to The Spirit, and now, in Christ. Within the Christian belief system, while Ministries are often founded or run by so called Ministers, so called clergy, and so called ordained,...the unique thing about Christianity is, you do not have to be ordained or a Minister of a "church authority", or all churches will claim they are the only real authority, though some do (for their own). You can be a Christian Ministry, non-denominational, and be a "lay person". The biggest myth out there about Ministries that keeps people from starting or running a Christian Ministry, is the misunderstanding that you must be ordained or clergy and operating as a offshoot of a religious recognized church. Not true and can also be other religious organization, and even started by "just a regular Christian".
Now, in other religions, using Jewish Rabbis and Muslim Imam as example, while they are not "ordained" as Christians are in their own 501 C3 context and word implications, they slightly differ (not less than or greater than as a legal thing) in that they are usually needed to be "educated" of their religious system (just a slight wording difference, but quite similar), yet not in Christianity, where even the "lay" can found, direct operate and be the ministry in whatever it is it does non-denominational, and typically also involves eventually recruiting others. No, it is does not require being established by a church "per se", and yes, if you are a follower of Christ, you do your Ministry work unto him in service, to the needs you are led and called to do that is his work (In original Greek, the "work" or sometimes "Ergon" is δουλειά), inspired to do, can do, or see the needs of. This sense of service or "Ministry" is sometimes translated in Greek as "Diakonia", or if you like it Greek as is,...διακονία, from 2 Corinthians 4:1; 5:18, and others such as " Romans 15:16 "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. ". You just might even see a need in your community and region, and then apply yourself to filling those needs. In Christianity, your "church"...is the people. Your Minister you serve under, is Christ. He is the head of the church of his peoples.
Now that you know you can start or be a ministry, have you thought which Ministry are you, about what kind of Ministry and service you can reach to the needs in a community for? Have you given long range thought to how you might potentially serve even in this Ministry in years ahead? For us, it is always, and always will be about Christ.
In anything you do, do it to the service of Christ.(<click)
Blessings and Goodwill,
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