"Ministry 101"

Sermon Preached By Kendrick Weaver - July 4, 2004

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

          I am going to be honest.  When I first found out that I might be appointed to St. Matthew’s, I was just a little intimidated.  I spoke with Rev. Stetler briefly, and afterwards, he told me “Why don’t you just go on our website and see some of what we are about?”  So after a day or two, I went to the website and began clicking.  And I found out how you:

• collect canned and boxed goods for a food pantry
• provide dinner for our homeless brothers
• deliver meals to shut-ins
• have a church shelter and housing corporation
• participate in an emergency organization
• assist in the help-by-phone organization
• offer a mothers’ support group

And then I began clicking some more.  And I found out how you:

• have a hearing impaired ministry
• Help families refurbish their homes
• Raise funds for global relief and development
• Go to Juarez, Mexico, to build houses
• Provide a Musical Theatre Troupe ministry; a family camping ministry.
• And I found out how you even have a ministry that assisted with ministry-known as The Angel Gang.

And after I did all that clicking, I said to myself, “What in the world could they possibly need me there for?” 

As Christians, we should always be engaging in the practice of ministry, or simply put, in the practice of serving others.  St. Matthew’s is truly a church embedded in the call to minister and in the call to serve our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

So what more of an appropriate scripture to have this Sunday than a scripture concerning Jesus’ commissioning of people to go out and minister in the world.  In many ways, this particular scripture offers a rudimentary blueprint for the practice of ministry.

Jesus began to send his followers out to do the work, the healings, the preaching.  Jesus began to send his followers out to do THE MINISTRY that he started.  And, as he was sending them out, he gave them some guidelines for what they were about to do.

3) “Go on your way.  See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.” 

In the Israelite tradition, lambs were regarded as animals that were vulnerable and constantly in need of protection and assistance.  By contrast, wolves regarded as independent, savage, and strong beasts, were the natural enemy of the lamb. Jesus was saying, “I want you to go out as vulnerable and feeble people into the midst of a world of people who are strong, bold, and savage.” 

The first guideline that Jesus offered his followers was a guideline for their mental state.  He told them that they must go out and practice ministry with the mentality of a lamb and with the mentality of vulnerability and feebleness even when everyone around them has a mentality of strength, power, and boldness. 

Now, some of you might wonder why Jesus would want to send his followers out to minister with a mentality of weakness and vulnerability as opposed to one of strength and power.  But Jesus was sending his follows out with a mentality of weakness and vulnerability because, if he sent them out with a mentality of strength and power, there would be no room allotted for the Holy Spirit.  

One thing that the church has to be constantly reminded of is that there is a difference between ministry AND social service.  There is a difference between:

• Giving someone food AND nourishing someone
• Giving someone a place to stay AND providing refuge
• Giving someone a job AND offering a vocation
• Telling someone something inspirational AND preaching the word of God
• Singing a song AND  worship
• Talking with someone AND fellowship
• Eating with someone AND breaking bread with them.

There is a difference between ministry AND social service.  I don’t care what George W. says; I don’t care how many faith-based initiatives are created; I don’t care how similar the church’s non-profit governmental classification might be to every other organization.  There is a difference between ministering and providing a social service.  

And the difference is the room and opportunity that is intentionally allowed for the presence of God to impact and affect the situation. 

• And that room can only be allowed if we adopt a mentality of weakness and vulnerability.
•   That room can only be allowed if we adopt a mentality that we might not be able to give this person everything that is needed.
•   That room can only be allowed if we are willing to go out like lambs.

After Jesus told his disciples to go out with a lamb-like mentality, he directed them in how to implement it. 

4) “Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.”

Jesus sent his disciples out and told them not to take any money, no supply of food, no shoes and not to talk with anyone along their journey.   

Some of you might not like this one, but the first way to practice ministry with the mentality of a lamb is by not being solely dependent upon resources for the success of our ministry.  

Once you get to a point where you feel like you cannot serve people without:

a large endowment

OR a bigger edifice

OR more classrooms

OR a larger staff

OR a particular type of building

OR a nicer office

OR a new computer

OR  better robes

OR  more comfortable pews

OR  more instruments

OR newer books

OR more people;

Once you get to a point where you feel like you cannot serve people without a particular thing, you have lost the heart of ministry and have entered the realm of simply providing a service for someone.

The last guideline of ministry that I will highlight this morning is this:  Ministry involves the creation of sacred space.  Jesus told the men and women he was sending out to take no sandals.  When Moses climb Mt. Horeb and approached the burning bush, God said “Take your sandals off for the place where you stand is holy ground.”  Removing ones sandals signified the holiness of a particular place, just as many temples and mosque require the removal of shoes before entrance.  

The place we practice ministry must be regarded and treated as a holy, sacred place, which acknowledges God’s part in the assisting process.   

Saints always allow room for God’s presence in serving, mentoring, teaching, preaching, and assisting  fellow sisters and brothers in Christ.  The results will be so much more powerful and life changing.  Amen and thanks be to God. 

THE CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

Dear Lord, often holidays deter us from you and your mission.  We are bombarded by Independence Day sales and events-surrounded by fireworks, flags, celebrations, and memorials.  Flooded with images of patriotism and nationalism, we pause to remember those impacted by war. Let us never forget the freedom we find in Christ.  Let us always be mindful of our citizenship in your nation.  Help us to reaffirm our pledge of allegiance to you.  Show us how to transcend anything that divides us.  And teach us to preserve everything that unites us.  Amen