Volume
10 Week 40 October 3, 2004
An
Updaste On Gift Oriented Ministry!
Ministry
Activities Questionnaire To Aid New Ministry Development!
I had a friend in college who rode a unicycle. We were all amazed at his talent. He told us, "Once you get the hang of it, it's easy." None of us who tried ever got to the "hang of it" level. It was just a lot of work and a lot of tumbling.
I'm very pleased that here at Mount Calvary we're starting to get the hang of Gift Oriented Ministry. A large portion of the congregation has gone through the discovery experience and learned a great deal about their gifts and capacities for extraordinary service. The kingdom has been enriched by those who have poured their learnings into action through ministry service here at the church and around the community.
We owe a great deal of thanks to the faithful service and long hours given by Rev. Vern Koehlinger who has done almost all of the leading of the class sessions. He's an excellent teacher and has done a great job. Thanks, Vern!
And I'm especially pleased with the tremendous effort and results this ministry has had under the continuing leadership of Cory Smith. He's worked very hard. The whole topic has been a brand new, learn as you go experience. There have been more than a few challenges, but he has struggled his way through each of them and we're seeing the benefits every day. The original task force and now the Board of Stewardship have been able partners with Cory. It's been a team effort all the way! I hope to see that kind of initiative for new ministry replicated here over and over again!
Part of getting the hang of Gift Oriented Ministry is making the links between extraordinary servants and extraordinary servant leaders. Cory's latest effort is helping our ministry team leaders make even better and quicker connections with God's gifted people. And now that the process is in place, we're riding the unicycle!
Next Steps!
So today's Pastor's Page is my encouragement to join in the fun of what is no longer a brand new startup ministry, but an ongoing part of who we are here at Mount Calvary. While we're in the 33 Days of Stewardship, it's especially appropriate to look at the whole area of the stewardship of our gifts and abilities. You're reading about it in your book, the 33 Laws of Stewardship. Here's how we at Mount Calvary are creating opportunities for you to put the biblical principles of extraordinary service to work.
Discovery!
First, if you have not yet participated in the Gift Oriented Ministry discovery process, what's the matter? Another group started this week, and still another class will be offered October 16-17. Call the church office and leave a message for Cory that you'd like to participate. Sessions meet Saturday from 8:30-12:00 noon and again on Sunday during an extended Bible hour, 8:30-10:15. The cost is $10 and you get a great "Extraordinary Servant" lapel pin!
Journey!
For all Christians, life is a discipleship journey of growing and discovering more and more about our gifts and our opportunities for service in God's kingdom. In God's designs, your faithful service this year is shaping and molding you for next year's new challenge. The journey is serve, grow, try new service!
I've really enjoyed the study of Paul's second missionary journey in Acts 16 this week, the subject of Sunday's sermon. Paul and his companions were always trying something new, seeing where the Lord would lead them. I think they were surprised that God had such big plans for them. That's the way he works. Have you had success in a ministry of service to others? Maybe you're ready for a new challenge!
MAQ!
Attached to the Pastor's Page this week is an instrument Cory helped develop for us called the Ministry Activities Questionnaire (click here to download a copy of it in Microsoft Word format). It's a list of existing, or could be existing, ministry opportunities at Mount Calvary. The MAQ asks if you have had experience in such areas in the past. The intention is for you to consider if you might join in again, or to reflect on how your past service might have prepared you for the future.
The MAQ then asks for your level of interest in the ministry. If you should discover that you have an interest in any of the service opportunities listed, mark your name on the sheet and get it to Cory or me as soon as possible. Let's discuss! One of us can direct you to just the people you need to know, or can help brainstorm the possibilities for starting up a new ministry effort.
We strongly encourage the extraordinary servants of Mount Calvary to try new adventures. The missionaries in Acts tried Asia Minor and they tried Bithynia without success or the Lord's blessing, until he showed them a new way to go. We believe he still works that way. Do you have an interest in a ministry found on the MAQ? Let us help you give it a try and see what the Lord has in store!
How Do I Know?
Which leads to a new question: How does a person know if a ministry is right for them? Whether trying something new, or continuing on in an existing effort, here are some of the signs we look for, things we want to see in all who are serving according to their gifts.
First, is the ministry effort helping us as the body of Christ in this place and in the community fulfill our calling? Is it helping in some way, great or small, to share the saving love of Christ? Whether teaching God's word to children, or polishing communion ware to make our worship more glorifying to God, ministry efforts make a difference. Evangelism callers make a difference. Singers make a difference. Accountants make a difference. Drivers make a difference. Your service to the Lord should leave you with a clear sense that you are contributing to his kingdom's work.
Next, an extraordinary servant should feel competent for the task at hand, or at least have the feeling that she is learning fairly quickly the skills needed for the job. Not all of us are suited for every task. We serve according to the gifts God has given. We can all use training and growth to gain greater competence. If someone is experiencing a great frustration because of an inability to perform a task, I sometimes encourage them to try another area of effort.
It's also often the case that ministry is done in cooperation with others. Another sign that I'm performing the right ministry of service is my growing relationships of love and care with my partners. Community in the body of Christ often happens best when we are working side by side.
And finally, it's a strong sign of good placement in ministry when there is great joy in the task. Service to the Lord often requires sacrifice and even sometimes the endurance of hardship. But when we serve in the place to which Jesus has called us, we are rewarded with a sense of joy and gladness, a peace and contentment that brings great satisfaction.
Look over the MAQ prayerfully and carefully this week. Is it time for you to consider a new area of service in the Lord's kingdom?