“Ministry” is from the Greek word diakoneo, meaning “to serve” or douleuo, meaning “to serve as a slave”. Ministry is for everyone. It can and should include ministering to the physical, emotional, mental, and financial needs of others. “If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are
leaders, we should to our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully – Romans 12:7-8 CEV
M – Meeting needs
We are to meet the needs of others whether they are believers or unbelievers just as Jesus would if He walked this earth today. Are you prepared to put others’ needs before our own? In Matthew 20:26 & 27, it describes how we are to act when putting others first in ministry, “……If you want to be great, you
must be the servant of all the others. And if you want to be first, you must be the slave of the rest” – CEV
I – Intercession
We are to perform intercessory prayer for others. Offer up a prayer for the people you are ministering to. This type of prayer will help protect the ministry and the people around it. “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace” – Luke 11:21 NKJV
N – Nourishment
We are to provide nourishment to others. Nourishment from the Word of God is our ‘real’ food. It’s the nourishment that is required to keep us strong in our faith and produces a solid ministry. “It is written that man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” –
Matthew 4:4 NKJV
I – Image
We were created in His image and are called to live accordingly. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” – Genesis 1:27 NKJV. People are watching you in the midst of your ministry. Your actions can inherently affect a persons’ acceptance of Jesus.
S – Seek
We are to seek the lost. Jesus came to look for people who were lost and save them from an eternity in hell. Put on the character of Jesus. “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” – Luke 19:10 NKJV
T – Time
We are to give of our time. Time is so precious to us but what are we doing with it. Are we selfishly using our time or are we freely giving to others? The Word tells us that the time spent in ministry will not be in vain. “My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know
that everything you do for Him is worthwhile” – I Corinthians 15:58 CEV
R – Readiness
We are to be ready! We need to be fully prepared and willing to serve others in our ministry. Arm yourselves with the knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. “So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm” – Ephesians 6: 13 CEV
Y- Yearning
We are to yearn for people and for the success of a ministry. A yearning for others should be to constantly pursue a ministry that glorifies Christ. It’s a powerful desire to see their lives change. The Holy Spirit yearns for us. “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously” – James 4:5 NKJV
God calls us every day to ministry. Our ministry will be a sacrifice that does not need to be formal, detailed, or scheduled. It should be a spontaneous process to share the love of Christ with everyone around us, especially the people that we come in contact with throughout our day. Are you willing to equipment yourself with these characteristics of ministry? Are you prepared today to minister and sacrifice like Jesus did? In the New Testament, ministry is seen as service to God and to other people. Jesus came, not to receive, but to give the ultimate sacrifice – Matthew 20:28.
-Bill S