Sticking To It

⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach- Romans 12:5-7


I've embraced mountain hiking as a physical activity to do on a regular basis.  It's hard to keep an exercise program going if you don't really enjoy it.  I love being in the mountains, especially along the rivers and waterfalls.  With mountain hiking, you don't have to keep up a really fast pace to get a good workout.  When you are walking up the mountain, you can walk slowly and still get your heart pumping.  So far this has been really successful for me.  It's more than exercise... it's something I love to do.


Our most successful ministries at church are run by people who just love their ministry.  One that quickly comes to mind is our prayer shawl ministry.  These ladies just love what they do and it shows.  Many of the people involved are people who really weren't previously involved in an on-going ministry and as they started showing up for these meetings, I was pleasantly surprised.


We see a lot of people in our churches sitting on the sidelines.  We may be very wrong when we think they just don't want to do ministry.  Perhaps they just haven't found that one that they can really embrace.  Perhaps they are having trouble finding their gifts and need someone to recognize those gifts and invite them into the appropriate ministry. 


Those of us who have no problem jumping in without being asked tend to believe that others will do the same.  But we all have different personalities and many folks need an invitation and encouragement... especially the first time and especially newer members or regular visitors.


Plugging people into ministry is a vital part of a healthy church, but just any old ministry won't do.  Just like with exercise, if we don't enjoy what we are doing, we won't stick to it.  So it is important that we get to know those in our church family who tend to sit at the sidelines.  Find out what they love and what is important to them and invite them into ministry!


Holy Spirit,
Guide our efforts to help others find their passion in ministry.  Help us to be open and inviting.  Amen.


Joys:  Pushing further up the mountain than I usually go; Kevin finishing his first summer class successfully and ready to start his second summer semester; Getting Cecelia today... seems like weeks since we've seen her!