So many people today see ministry as something that the Pastor does. When we think of ministry, we so often think of people in full-time ministry, we think of the church leaders and missionaries in other countries when actually we are all called to ministry, we are all called to serve, we are all called to the great commission, Matthew 28: 16-20:
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
We are all in ministry
We can so easily forget that we are all called to be ministers. This doesn’t mean we are all called to lead the church. We are to be ministers in our homes, workplaces, neighbourhoods.
The Biblical meaning of minister is a servant. The Greek word Diokonos is used multiple times in the Bible and translated to ministry. Diokonos means to serve, as Christians, we are all called to serve.
We are called to go into the world and make disciples. This doesn’t just mean sharing the gospel by telling people about Jesus. We should do that, but being a minister is so much more than that, we are called to share the gospel and to serve.
We should be willing to share the gospel with someone if they ask or if prompted. I’ve heard it said we should “share the gospel, use words if necessary”. I think this has been taken and twisted into an excuse. Sometimes our fear or shyness stops us from sharing the gospel, and this is a handy excuse for those times. Matthew 28 clearly tells us to go make disciples, to do that, we need to first share the gospel.
The power of testimony
It’s a great idea to have written out your testimony in a way that can be shared in a few minutes. People can argue with your theology, but they can’t argue with your personal experience and what God has done in your life, that is why testimonies are so powerful. You can prepare for opportunities to share the gospel by having your testimony ready, with scripture to back it up.
Being a minister means so much more than this though. We are called to be salt and light in the world, Matthew 5: 13-16:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Salt and light
To be salt and light means to stand out. It means to be different. In the darkness, light can be seen, it stands out. And salt can be tasted. As ministers, we should stand out in the darkness of the world. When we are at work, or home, or anywhere else, our saltiness and light should show. It should show in the way we speak and act. Gossip is a big thing in a non-christian circle I’m in, I try to stay out of that. I hope that my lack of involvement in it stands out. We should be seen to be different from the world. This is a way that we are ministers of the gospel, by not conforming to the world.
We should also stand out in how we treat others. Jesus is our example, he dined with sinners, much to the dismay of the Pharisees! We should help the poor and needy, we should show love to those that society has deemed unlovable.
We don’t just share the gospel by what we say, but also by how we act. The people around us should see something different in us. I was invited to Church before I became a Christian. I remember walking in and seeing something different in the people I met. They stood out to me because of their joy.
They will be recognised by their fruit
Galatians 5: 22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
These aren’t things that we need to work or strive for, they are a gift. And they are beyond understanding. I’ve seen Christians living in extreme poverty with an abundant and overwhelming joy flowing out of them, I’ve seen Christians facing awful situations with a sense of peace despite the chaos around them. Matthew 7: 16-20:
By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognise them.
We will be known by our fruit. Our fruit will make us stand out. Like I did when I first walked into the Church I now call home, people should see our fruit and see that’s it’s different. It’s different from anything the world can give, it defies logic and understanding. The most important thing is that our fruit is right, which it will be if we are living in step with Jesus, and that we let it show.
Lord God, help us today to be salt and light wherever we go. Help us to not be afraid of standing out. Help us to have courage when we have an opportunity to share about you. Thank you that we don’t have to do this in our own strength, thank you that we can do it in your strength. Help and guide us today in whatever situations we find ourselves in, amen.
How can you be a minister today with your family, in your workplace, or wherever you are?
What can you do for someone in need?