Ministry Journey Blog

Thoughts on Ministry

02 Feb

Presence

Posted in Uncategorized on 02.02.10 by Merlyn

Presence is everything in ministry, especially ministry to people (get it ). The notion of ministry of presence comes from several sources. The first starts at the creation story in Genesis. We were created to be in relationship; in relationship with God and with each other. It is impossible to be in relationship without presence. The greatest notion of ministry as presence comes from our example of what ministry and the kingdom of God (or God’s dream) are supposed to be. I am referring to the life and ministry of Jesus. We underplay the incarnation–God became flesh and moved into the neighborhood (John 1 from the Message). God came to earth to be with us, to be present. The ministry of the Christ was all about presence, presence with his father, presence with his disciples, presence with all whom he encountered. There were no rushed events in Jesus’ ministry, it was always about presence. Ministry is most powerful when we are most present.  I came across this quote from Ron Rolheiser in my Presence journal:

“We pay a lot of lip service to presence in society and spiritual circles. Sometimes we don’t admit that it’s the single most difficult thing in the world. It is hard for any of us to be in the present moment because the past and the future are always playing into our lives. We’re worried about our own agendas, heartaches, and headaches. As I say in the Shattered Lantern, narcissism, pragmatism, and restlessness are always trying to take us away from the present moment. So, its hard to be present for each other.”

There is a deep craving for community in our world, and it’s because we lack presence.  How can we be more present? How can we look to Christ to really understand what the ministry of presence means and could be?

 

 

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