Ministry

During class today we were asked to break into groups and take time to create a 'concept of ministry'. Ministry is such a broad term, and as was expected a diverse range of responses were delivered.  My group, all of whom are Cadet's also, had a great discussion and formulated this:

"Compelled by our personal transformation through, and love for, Jesus, ministry is the endeavour to share that with the whosoever, so that they may experience full salvation. This is proliferated by the formula that the whosoever get saved, keep saved and get saving others.

This ministry on the individual level involves the individual fulfilling their part in that endeavour, therefore fulfilling a role within the 'body of Christ'.

This will look different for each person but will involve interactions with:

-Evangelism
-Community Worship
-Cure of Souls and
-Administration

Ministry for us manifests in The Salvation Army, a holiness movement with a neo-Episcopal structure, however, regardless of this vehicle, we still minister within the greater Christian church and as Christians therefore all exist within the aforementioned 'body of Christ'.

The resounding message of ministry is people made righteous to the Father, through the blood of the Son, empowered and sanctified by the Holy Spirit."

No definition of ministry is perfect, and the one we came up with today is no exception, however, I am just glad to be part of a session of Cadet's that really want to seek truth in regard to what ministry involves.

I want

On Thursday we had a seminar on leadership and the 'missional church' with Dr Reggie McNeal. Something I wrote down afterwards reflects a few things that inspired and challenged me on the day.

I want to serve in an Army with leadership that take risks for the Kingdom.

I want the body of Christ to be lived out, not just preached about.

I want leaders to be made leaders of leaders; not because of their ability to be 'diplomatic' or 'talk the talk', but because of the Holiness of their lives and their personal reliance on the Holy Spirit.

I want an Army with leaders that know the true perils of sin, but also know the ultimate peril of attempting to sit on the throne of judgement.

I want to live a life of mission, unhindered by two thousand years of aggressive Christendom, yet empowered with two thousand years of Christian wisdom.

After writing this I pondered what a huge ask it is for these things to be fulfilled, but rejoiced in the fact that I serve a God who allows all things to be possible. It was then that I realised that I must change the "I want" to "I pray", because that is how these things will come to pass.

I know God is in control, as Reggie said, it's our job just to "get on the bus and enjoy the ride". I most certainly intend to do so and I hope to be praying all the way!

Peace