I Don’t Have a Ministry

I don’t have a ministry, and neither do you.

When we claim to have a ministry, which is common, we are, in essence, commodifying a gift of God, given by the grace of Christ, that has as its purpose the strengthening of his church. In other words, we have a tradeable asset, and trade we do. We ask, what church could employ me so that I can further my ministry? Unfortunately, this is closer to capitalism; it is not kingdom. And this, in turn, transforms a living function into a static role; a verb has been morphed into a noun, which is grammatically problematic. 

Ministry has become a title that assists in legitimacy, determines levels of respect, includes fiscal expectations, and creates hierarchy. 

But ministry describes something we do, because of and in Jesus’ name. 

Ministry is something we, in accordance with a gift/s from God, do, serving the needs of another person, or persons; it is not a title to serve our aspirations. 

Ministry, as a term, is now used to clarify and solidify a calling, a calling, incidentally, we all share in. It is largely positional; therefore, it formalizes church government and structures (which aren’t always erroneous). 

So, in this sense, you don’t have a ministry, and neither do I.

What we do have, though, is a gift, a charis, a grace, that Christ has given severally to build his church, in love. This doesn’t need an honorific title to be efficacious.  Just do it; minister wherever you find yourself, and find yourself you will, if you serve God’s church.

And in your doing, do whatever needs to be done. That is your ministry, that is my ministry; serve others with whatever grace God has extended to you, in whichever circumstance you are in, and even if whatever needs to be done isn’t in your gift lane, be like Jesus, who gave himself for us. If the Spirit of God dwells in you, you have been sent by Christ to minister to his people and this world. This requires love and simple obedience, without the necessity of professionalism, titles, positions, or power. 

Ministry is what we do, not a title to tell people what and who we are. 

So, you do have a ministry after all, and so do I; it’s just not what we imagined.