Would You Like To Be A Minister?

Oliver Cromwell of Britain was one of the great politicians and solders in the mid 1600’s.  He served in the British Parliament for many years.  During that time Britain was running very low on silver for coins, so they began to search for sources of the precious metal.  The place where they found the most silver was in the Cathedrals.  And specifically in the statues of the saints.  Cromwell is purported to have said, “Well let’s melt down the saints and put them into circulation!” 

That’s what ministry is all about.  Putting the saints into circulation! Last week in Fort Scott I presented a series I call “What Matters Most.”  One of the five things that matter most is ministry.  Here’s why. 

God wants and needs every member of His family to be a minister.  Not just preachers. Peter exhorted, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet 4:10).  We all have different “gifts.”  And they can be used for the glory of God to serve other people.  The church family is a cooperative body where everyone has something to add.  To share.  To give. 

Some minister through teaching or preaching.  Some minister through their leadership skills. People blessed with monetary resources can minister with their money.  Others with their time. Or talents.  One may minister more quietly behind the scenes through encouragement.  Showing mercy. Visiting the sick.  Doing physical work.  

Last week in Fort Scott two members were doing some work in the house of an elderly widow lady.  They both definitely had some skills that this writer lacks!  (Just ask my wife!)  But they found a way to fulfill Galatians 6:10.  “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”  

Would you like to minister? Here are a few other groups of people to whom Christians can minister. 

(1) New Converts.  We are to teach the baptized believer “to observe all things” that Christ commanded (Matt 28:20).  Too often new Christians are neglected.  They need to be disciplied. That is an important ministry. 

(2) Weak Christians.  Every church family has some weaker brethren.  How do we address their issues?  With Help?  Encouragement?  Empathy?  Nurture?  Paul wrote, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thess 5:14). 

(3) Those Overcome in Sin.  We all sin. None are without faults and shortcomings.  But we all are at risk to be overcome by Satan’s snare.  To be overtaken by sin.  When that happens to a brother or sister, they need to be approached with meekness.  Kindness.  Consideration.  They have a burden.  They need help.  Let’s minister to them in love (Gal. 6:1-2) 

(4) Our Young People.  When the apostles criticized those who bothered Jesus with children, he chided them saying, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”  (Matt 19:14).  The young need our support.  Our example.  Our reassurance.  Let’s equip them to grow.  And minister to their needs. 

Discover your place for ministry.  Develop a passion for ministry.  And then find people to whom you can minister.  Let’s get the saints into circulation!

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman