Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Is Your Ministry Drudgery? Part 1

"A vision without a task is but a dream;
a task without a vision is drudgery;
a vision and a task are the hope of the world."
- seen at a 17th century church in Sussex, England

"A task without vision is drudgery"
Why do you do what you do in ministry?  Is there a vision for why you do what you do?  I think many get burnt out in ministry because they don't see the big picture or ultimately that what they are doing as a ministry team member in their church as vital or important.  Perhaps they have never had the vision set before them.

First of all do you consider yourself a "volunteer" in your church or do you consider yourself as a minister?  If you are doing ministry you are a minister.  You shouldn't be a "volunteer".  Sure you are giving of your time, but isn't that what all of us as believers should be doing?  Shouldn't every believer be serving in their church?  If this is what God expects from us then is it "volunteering" or is it obediently following as a believer?   We are called to be ministers.  God has placed each of us in the body of Christ.  Our churches are full of "body parts" that have a function which is part of God's plan and purpose.

So back to the question of "Why?".  Have you thought about this?  


6 comments:

Apple said...

I look forward to being part of the ministry at the church. We (and I speak for my husband too) are not used to sitting by idle while others do the work. At our old church we did youth, music, social, nursery, VBS and any number of other odd jobs.

Why did we do it? Because God told us to serve, because we wanted Him to use us to reach others, because He has blessed us and we want to bless others, because what good are the gifts He has given if you are not using them to further his kingdom?

We respect the church's decision to allow only members to minister within the church...but as soon as we get member status, you better put us to work! *big smile*

Andy Lawrenson said...

@apple - we look forward to you guys becoming partners real soon. You did a lot of ministry at your old church.
Your hubby will like this..."Find your sweet spot in ministry and serve there". That's where we do our best when we serve in a ministry God has shaped up for, because part of our shape is our heart, we should be passionate about the ministry we are doing.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing. I came across your blog through following Tricia's story. We have been having this discussion at our church about being burnout etc. I hope you don't mind but I forwarded your comments to some of the ladies in our church who are the only ones ever doing anything. Look forward to the second post.

Andy Lawrenson said...

@Christina - I think sometimes those that are doing everything should back off and then maybe when others notice the needs are getting taken care of they will step up to the plate.

You also bring up a point, "the ladies", churches have more women then men. Basically we boys have become slack in doing ministry.

Apple said...

@Andy@Apple:

I like the idea of serving where you are best suited and I look forward to doing that.

I think that is unfortunate that, in some churches, it is the few working for the many. It's the 20%, 80% theory. And, because we love(d) our church, we were willing to do what needed to be done to keep it's ministry alive. Maybe that's not ideal, but sometimes we have to do what we have to do...maybe that's when it becomes drudgery instead of ministry??

ladybug said...

Andy - you guys are not slackers - on Wednesday the kitchen was filled with men before I arrived - great job guys - funny though as soon as a woman showed up all the men (but one) disappeared - ha ha

thanks for filling in until I could get there and thanks for allowing me the opportunity to serve - I love our church family and the "it's not about me attitude" we have

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