“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8b-9
Earn your keep. When I hear that phrase, I think of pioneers or early colonists chopping wood or plowing fields. I think that’s kind of what Paul was arguing he had done in Thessalonica- he had worked to help the community…not been a mooch. But I particularly enjoy the language of sharing “not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”
Being in charge of some kind of ministry can sometimes feel like being on an island. Working each week to make ready a study, a talk, a game, a meal, a discussion…or whatever. Then the time comes and you lead the activity. Then it’s over. Sometimes it feels like ministry events are like water balloon fights – hours of prep for seconds of enjoyment. Or maybe it might compare better to being a conductor – hundreds of hours of work for an hour long concert that you don’t get to fully enjoy all the time because you’re too busy fretting the details. Much like the containers that once held water balloons, it’s easy to feel the sudden emptiness at times. So how can we change this? How can we get more out of the ministries we lead?
I think one possiblity is to stop leading. Delegate. Be a worker bee. But maybe the solution I like even more is to get involved in other ministries of the church. To become a volunteer. I loved the time I had working with youth during the years I went to school. I showed up and volunteered. Sure I helped where I was needed on preparations here and there, but I got so much out of just being able to be a participant. It can be difficult to really step back in your own niche of ministry, so consider getting involved with another ministry. Or better yet, get involved in some aspect of the community life. We are all gifted in different ways and have things to offer to the community as a whole.
Hopefully this kind of living – sharing life in addition to the gospel, will be rewarding to you and also to the community and congregation you serve.
Russ Bowlin is the Director of Ministries for Youth and Young Adults at First United Methodist Church in Victoria, Texas. Follow him on twitter at twitter.com/russbo
Photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/happy_sleepy/