Serving in Ministry

by Adrienne Reece

Ministry, by definition means ‘the spiritual work or service of any Christian or group of Christians, especially evangelism. Evangelism means ‘the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a ministry school within my church. It was called Sonship School of the First Born, or Sonship for short. As you can imagine we dived into the things, ways, thoughts and heart of God so deeply that it’s almost impossible to get through this one year long journey without being changed, in more ways than one. It was in this school that I learned of a Greek word that changed my perspective forever. That word is Shamgar. 

Shamgar means to start where you are, use what you have and do what you can. 

Shamgar has saved me so much time, money, and peace over the last few years. Since moving to Texas, my husband and I downsized our home significantly. Thinking about life before Texas honestly brings up nostalgic memories for us these days, for several reasons.  Although we were serving each other and our home well and doing our best to take advantage of the quarantine season, we just felt that something was missing. Aside from having just been quarantined for a year, and the church doors closing for much of the same, I still felt something like an emptiness or void. While the pandemic forced me to ‘slow down’ I honestly felt like everything came to a complete and abrupt stop, and in many ways, it did. I honestly longed for the doors of the church to open back up so I could get back inside and put my hands to the plow (Luke 9:62). 

Now, we are on the other side of the pandemic, outside is back open and we have just recently committed to a local church. This time has been different though. Having spent the last 7 years in ministry, I thought I couldn’t wait until it was time to go back into the House again. But since the doors have re-opened let me tell you, things just are not the same. And to be completely honest, I’m glad. 

You see, before the pandemic, I was so committed to the church because that’s what I thought “ministry” was. But you probably know by now that this is the furthest from the truth. See, since moving to Texas, the pace of life has slowed down dramatically. It’s been good but it’s still been an adjustment from what we’ve grown used to. This includes our output in our local church. While I miss being a youth pastor more than words can truly express, The Lord has shown me that the church is only ONE way to serve the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said in Mark 16:15 to “go into the world and preach the gospel.” Notice he didn’t say, go into the CHURCH and preach the gospel. 

I love that within the definition ministry is the word “service”. This is where I want to take us today. 

Jesus said, “The Greatest among you will be your servant” (Matt 23:11). Another translation says, “The greatest among you will be the one who always serves others.” I can’t speak for you but this scripture sticks to me like glue! Notice that he didn’t say the greatest among you will preach, lead congregations, or grow big social media followings. He said the greatest among you will serve others. Being in Texas and living closer to family, has been one of the biggest opportunities to fulfill this scripture. I have found myself using my car to pick up and drop off cousins at school or at home. I’ve opened up my kitchen for homecooked meals; the guest bedroom has gotten much use through weekend stay overs, and my personal favorite, I have gotten to use my gift of cosmetology skills to style, upkeep and maintain the younger cousin’s hair.

 I have even found myself participating in my mother in laws food pantry more and more. Where I thought that I was going to be showing up to her events as a proud and expectant daughter, I have actually found myself digging into the weeds of the establishment as a whole, helping with business design, logos, I’ve made flyers, organized a community of day to go spread the word downtown, sat with a local food bank coordinator, and even given out some emergency boxes to families that are in immediate need while she plans her grand opening. 

And I haven’t been paid one red cent. But can I tell you that the joy I feel in doing these seemingly mundane tasks has fulfilled my heart in ways that no amount of money ever could. To see those girls come out of the bathroom and be so in love with their age-appropriate hair styles, or to hear that the cousins are all but begging to come to our house and stay the night is a gift that cannot be purchased. Or to hear the excitement and relief in my mother in laws voice when I surprised her with her personalized business logo…

Can I be honest with you about something? If I would have gotten to pick a ‘ministry’ to focus on during this season, I wouldn’t have chosen this one. From the outside looking in, it didn’t seem like a “ministry” at all. None of our family has made their way to church with us, (other than my mother-in-law–we attend the same church) and sometimes, I feel like the enemy is working overtime to keep them away from the church House!

 But what I have learned in this season is that if they never step foot inside the building of a church, they cannot say they haven’t encountered Jesus. I aim to live my life in a way that doesn’t compromise my walk or my talk no matter where I go or who I’m around. We have worked overtime to solidify the foundation of our home so that when people dwell here, they feel God’s presence. 

I want to encourage you, as you enter this new week and this upcoming month, to remember ministry is not about showing your knowledge from a pulpit, but truly it’s about pulling people out of the pit; and you can do that from anywhere. Aim to show Jesus through your service this week. Remember, Shamgar. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. What’s one way that you’re going to serve someone in your neighborhood, or community this month or this summer? 

You can follow the author of this post, Adrienne Reece on her Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AdrienneReece