I’ve been re-assessing my understanding of what “ministry” entails. The typical understanding of ministry is associated with a calling, a calling that falls only to a specific group of people (think pastors, missionaries, campus ministry workers, etc). When you’re “called into ministry” it’s usually, in the eyes of many Christians, a holy calling that requires a 3-year masters degree or the equivalent in experience of doing things pastors do. If that’s the case, are all the other occupations that Christian’s have a less-holier calling, especially if “ministry” is not in their job title? Has “ministry” been pigeonholed to the office of pastor, preacher, teacher (of the Bible), shepherd, prophet, etc?
In 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, Paul writes to the church in Corinth of how faith in the work of Christ on the cross destroys the old creation and that a new creation is born. Immediately after, he states in v. 18:
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation
He uses the word “ministry” and the ministry of reconciliation given to believers is a direct result of what Christ did for us. The few times “ministry” is used in scriptures, whether in Hebrew or in Greek, it is often translated as “service” with no higher or holier definition attached. Ministry is service to and loving God and people (Matthew 22:36-40), those called into ministry serve, and that seems like a fairly broad statement to all believers. Furthermore, if ministry of reconciliation (or the service of reconciliation to Christ) is a direct result of Christ’s work, for those who call on Christ for salvation, the ministry is a gift to them – another broad statement to all believers.
Friends, God desires for us to be reconciled through his Son. He also desires to give us and for us to be a part of the ministry of reconciliation, the job title graciously given to all believers whether your occupation has a holy title or not. This ministry of reconciliation enables us to share in the joy that the good Father has when people come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. Simple put, ministry is loving God and loving people and that is a high calling that we all need to be engaged in.
Knowing this, how are you engaged in ministry? Who are the people in your life that you are serving and loving to point them to Jesus?
Pray for opportunities wherever you spend your time – with your family, workplace, school… anywhere and everywhere. That is the heart and call of God for those who know him.
From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart
May 17, 2015