So I thought only Pastors were called to ministry? Well, not so fast buckaroo. If you are a follower of Jesus you are called to minister to others.
In fact, the calling of leadership in the church is to equip you for ministry
Ephesians 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
How do we pursue ministry? Well as with everything in the Lord, we pray and do. Be available for equipping and the Lord will start putting a desire in your heart for ministry.
You will find that the ministry will start driving you to a closer relationship with God. There are so many benefits to ministering to others:
Gives you a chance to find out and practice your gifting in the Holy Spirit
Lifts your spirits as you focus less on your own troubles and more on benefitting others
I find myself so much more fulfilled when I am actively practicing my gifting. The difference is totally like night and day in my attitude and daily life. So much so I tend to get down, depressed, and isolated if I’m not teaching, leading, or encouraging others. I feel so much closer to God when I am actively in ministry.
·Paul says here in Ephesians that when you minister you are building up the body of Christ. That means the local church needs you to minister in order for them to fulfill their mission. At times I may not feel like going to church I remember that – ya know it's not all about me right- there are people I can encourage and pray for there if I show up. And of course, I am always glad I went once I get there.
There are so many ways to serve formally at church or informally – being a friend, a father, a husband all these are ministries. And seasons come and go where you have to shift gears to new ministries that fit. But God always provides opportunity when you ask him to.
In the end, we all have a ministry to pursue and when we do, it gives glory to God.
Comments