Personal Ministry

As Christians we know that it is our responsibility to bring people to Christ and so every item sold at a Bazaar, or pot luck supper organized, or new person greeted on Sunday morning somehow brings us a little closer to the ideal. In fact, many of the people I spoke to in researching this article told me that Christian duty was their primary motivation in working to serve the Church.

What other things may motivate us to volunteer? In my experience, one of the best ways to get to know people better is to work with them in trying to attain a shared goal. Have you ever thought that you didn't care for someone only to find out that the person had skills and interests in common with you? Shared interests that, over time, lead to friendship?

My point is this... time spent in personal ministry is repaid many times over in spiritual rewards. What better time could there be than now, at the beginning of a new ministry, when we all feel a spirit of renewal?

So why is it that there aren't more people becoming involved if there are so many benefits? There are a number of reasons:

I don't have time
Someone else will do it
I have some ideas but I don't know who to talk to
I don't have any skill which would be useful
I've done my share

Of course, we don't have the time to do everything, but we all have the time to do something to help our Church. Whenever you find yourself saying "Someone should do something about that", stop and consider if that person should be you, or if you could help someone else do something about it. If you have ideas speak to Fr. Jim or a member of the Bishop's Committee (the folks with the buttons on their name tags). If you feel that you don't have any skills, think again. We all have skills given to us by God to serve Him. for example, like to take photos at family gatherings; take photos for the web site. You've raised a family; teach Sunday School.

Of all the reasons listed above, "I've done my share" is the most difficult to answer. Many of us have had the experience of waking up at 3AM thinking that it isn't fair that we are called upon time after time. We've been on the Vestry, worked on fund raising, helped with Sunday School. Why can't someone else take a turn? In the end, we must continue to serve because, regardless of what others do, it is our responsibility as Christians. I believe that God keeps no ledgers on the number of hours we spend, so neither should we. I like to believe that He says to us "Yes... but what have you done in my name lately."

I hope that I've made a case that you have the time, skills and abilities to share. If so, fill out the form below to get the opportunity. I promise you that your information will get the the appropriate person at the church and that you will be contacted within a week. Let's get together behind our church and new priest. There will be no better time to find and practice your ministry!

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