Being available sets a ministry apart

So, how’s your ministry going?

Before you answer that, let me explain what I just asked. I did not ask what your church was doing to make disciples of Jesus Christ. I did not ask what your preacher preached on last Sunday, nor how your latest Bible study went. I asked how YOUR ministry is going.

I can imagine your response. “I’m not a preacher or Bible scholar,” or “It’s not my job to tell people about Christ” or “I don’t have time for this.”

But let me challenge you with this statement: If you believe in Jesus Christ as your personal savior, then you are a minister of the Good News of Christ. How’s that for a challenge? Still not getting what I’m laying down here.

Okay, the Bible has many references of the priesthood of believers. 1Peter 2:5-9, Hebrews 13:15-16, Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 2:10 and let’s not forget the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20. Even if you disregard all of that, do you not realize that God does not speak in a vacuum.

That’s right, the word of God is not meant to fall on deaf ears. The word of God is meant to be shared and offered to all people. This also means that anyone who has heard the word of God is now a carrier of that word. It isn’t supposed to be held back.

God’s word is not secret. I know we would like it to be. We would like to think we have an inside track on eternity, but that isn’t the way God works. God works for the salvation of His creation, not for the benefit of just a few. We are all His children, and thus we are all offered salvation. This makes it even more important that people learn of Christ.

Your ministry is one of sharing Christ. You don’t have to preach or go to seminary to share the Gospel. All you need to do is to start living what Christ is teaching us through our churches and our Bibles Studies.

Honestly, sharing the Gospel isn’t rocket science — anyone can do it. The difference between the one in the pulpit and the one in the pew is not Biblical knowledge; it is availability.

Yes, availability is the separator. The minister in your church has told God that he/she is available to go wherever the Gospel needs to be shared. Because of that, they have been set apart for a ministry that includes teaching you about Christ.

Not every available Christian becomes a minister. In fact, I would hazard that most of the available people to serve God are probably standing right next to you. If you make yourself available, God will put you where you need to be. Maybe it’s next to someone on your job line, or at the supermarket. Maybe God calls you to witness at your next club meeting, or ball game.

The key to sharing the Gospel of Christ is not your ability to speak, but your availability to answer God’s call.

So, how is your ministry going?

Shalom my friends.

See you in church.

Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.