Ministry Journey Blog

Thoughts on Ministry

19 Apr

Church structure

Posted in Uncategorized on 19.04.10 by Merlyn

I read an interesting quote today about church structure. I found myself shouting Amen! It is very true, and its a good summary of a painful reality. The world has changed the church, the church has not changed the world. We have become too corporate, too democratic, too constitutional. What if we ran our meetings like Jesus ran his conversations with the disciples? What if we drew straws instead of voting? What if we became responsible and efficient without all of the corporate practices that are of this world and not of the Kingdom dream that Jesus brought? How can we do church structure better for sake of the church, the world, the mission, and the Kingdom of God?

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12 Apr

Be careful what you wish & pray for

Posted in Uncategorized on 12.04.10 by Merlyn

Well, the ministry journey is always an amazing one. Last week I had coffee with a colleague in ministry, and our conversation was a real blessing for us both. I was reminded about how powerful God is…and how overwhelming wonderful it is to be called to ministry—to be called to be a part of experiencing and bringing about the kingdom here on earth. I would not trade it for the world, but the longer I do it the more I realize that God will always overwhelm me. Its a good overwhelming, but not always an easy one. I think about my current ministry setting. Its the healthiest and best I have experienced in many years. I have such great hope that all of the dreams and desires of my heart; the ones that have come from God may actually come to fruition. The floodgates have been open. The dam has been cracked. I am happy and the answer to prayer, but I also find myself overwhelmed as I see it all coming, as I try to balance it all. Then I stop and remember that this is what I asked for…and more importantly it is not about me. So God, I have my raft and I look down the river and think…what a ride this is going to be. Keep me safe. Keep me focused on the source and not the dangers and fears of the journey.

 

Thanks God for the call.

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05 Apr

Presence

Posted in Uncategorized on 05.04.10 by Merlyn

Its not about programs or numbers. Its not even about our goals, mission or vision. Its not about our plans, our ability to teach and do, nor is it about what others think of us. Its not about job descriptions or what we can or cannot do. Its all about presence, and not just our presence but our presence together. Our presence alone is not enough, and our presence cannot be just a side thought to what we do. Instead, the real nature of ministry as demonstrated in Jesus Christ is all about being in the presence of the living God—and doing that together. Being participants as individuals and as a community it what God is doing in the real and present moments of our lives—not just at church or in programs, not just in moments of worship or spiritual highs, but in the day-to-day living of life that is meaningless without God and each other. How much pressure would we take of ourselves as ministers if it was simply about being together with God?

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05 Apr

Alive

Posted in Uncategorized on 05.04.10 by Merlyn

The Gospel message may be over 2000 years old, but its not old, nor is it dead. So, why do we in our churches look and act like the walking dead? Why do we proclaim the joy of Christ in our worship as we sit expressionless? How is it that we know Christ, but our faces do not seem to have been notified of the power and the joy that comes with knowing the God of the universe? Are we alive or are we dead? Is God dead? If God is not dead, and if the Gospel still applies; then we must live as if it is really true–as if God has saved us. The Gospel is not about a set of truths or a series of beliefs. Its not just about a message of salvation. Instead, it is a living and active reality that can transform us. God, the Gospel, and the Church are not dead so lets stop acting like our faith is anything less than a fully alive reality to be proclaimed and lived.

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