What does ministry look like?

Through the grapevine I was recently told that someone mentioned it was sad that I am "not in ministry" anymore.  I looked at the person relating this information and had a little bit of a meltdown.  Not a crying meltdown but an I'm-so-tired-of-this meltdown.  I was insulted.

My name may not be listed in a bulletin in some church as the "Director of...".  I may not hold a title that says I'm involved in the daily ministering to a group of individuals as an employee of a church or religious group.  There may not be a group of people that I am mentoring because it's my job but I am still, very involved in ministry.

I am involved in ministry to the woman who comes into my new office to sit awhile and talk about life. 

I am involved in ministry to the people on the light rail or bus who just need a smiling face or a listening ear for a moment.

I am involved in ministry to the youth at New Church by typing up the fliers and calendars and permission slips and researching the information for their trips every week.

I am involved in ministry to the Youth Pastor I work for by listening, talking, collaborating with and being a smiling face in the midst of frustration.

I am involved in ministry to the Young Adults I still meet with through living my life.  By sharing the ups and downs, the uncertainty and frustration, and my belief in God's goodness and continued work.

I am involved in ministry to my friends and family by simply clinging to the promise of God's providence.

And what in the world do we call the week I spent volunteering in Missouri with teenagers if not being "involved" in ministry?

I AM involved in ministry.  I just don't get PAID (mostly) to be in ministry...and to be honest, sometimes I believe the ministry I am involved with now is more authentic and God-filled than the ministry I did as a paid employee, simply because the barriers are being stripped away.  I no longer represent a church, I represent me and there is a lot more freedom involved in just being the person God created me to be.

How are you involved in ministry?

Ruminating on traditions

I've ranted about this before somewhere, if not here than another blog, so pardon me for repeating myself.  I read this blog by Jan Edminston this morning and knew I had to link to it.  Read it for yourself and ponder away.

Here's the thought I will add:  It seems to me, we only call something a tradition if we like it.  If we don't like something, it's a nuisance and something we need to change.  Which makes churches and families hard places to be because not everyone likes the same thing.  One persons cherished tradition is another's pain-in-the-...well, you know.

Just something I'm thinking about today.
 

Thinking church...kinda incomplete

The sermon in church on Sunday was about being a family of believers.

Saturday night I sat in a car and listened to a 20-something talk about wanting to belong, really belong, to a community of believers again.

This morning on my commute I listened to a podcast from another preacher talking about belonging to the family of believers.
 
I sat on Saturday night with a group of 20 somethings that are longing to be connected and have found their own "church" (I use that word reallllllllyyyy loosely).  I was glad to be counted as one of them...just sad their community centered around such a fleeting thing.

 
I came home Sunday thinking about belonging to a family of believers, despite church names and denominations and how that all works.

I sat in the car Saturday night and longed for that community for my 20-something friend...(which, by the way, didn't just include 20 somethings but those in the more older and "wiser" set as well)...(that also is okay with women pastors and doesn't exclude people due to their sexual orientation, a combo that is getting harder and harder to find these days).

I listened to the podcast this morning on the bus and found myself wondering if we, as followers of Christ, truly want to be a family of believers or if we are so stuck in our labels we can't see beyond them.  Truth be told, I feel stuck but am scrambling to free myself.

I'm writing this wondering what God is up to...but then I'm constantly pondering on God's dealings.