(You might want to read these two posts first, if you’re just joining us, so you have a grid for this one.)
In my last post, I shared how in a conversation with my family about our creative gifts, we realized that we had been trying to fit our gifts into a traditional ministry paradigm, instead of letting those gifts BE the ministry. I shared what an “a-ha” moment this was for me.
When a truth like that confronts you, it creates a paradigm shift. In other words, when you build a whole mindset around some assumed beliefs or facts, and a new truth is entered into the picture, you have to re-think your assumptions to accommodate that truth.
That’s what’s happening with me and my concept of ministry.
I think it actually started when I began to re-think what “calling” means, and what Scripture actually does–and does not–say about it. I began to see that I had been a bit narrow-minded as to what my own calling is, and how it can be expressed. So I think God has been preparing me for this “a-ha” moment.
This idea that the gift can actually BE the ministry is so revolutionary for me. I hope I can verbalize this…but for me and so many others, the concept of “the ministry” has been just as institutionalized as the church itself has been. “The ministry” has become a vocation, an occupation related to church. Even what we call “para-church ministries” are organizations built around this idea that “the ministry” is an elevated calling, and those who are called to it somehow have a higher destiny than everyone else. In addition, ministry is sort of self-contained, meaning that it has these defined activities that are meant to promote the gospel of Christ–and often are very good activities–but they are categorized as belonging to the realm of ministry, “spiritual” activities as opposed to “non-spiritual” ones. Any activity classified as “ministry” must fit within this template. And most of the time, the activity must be covered and supported by the ministry organization to be considered valid. We might say that every Christian is a minister, but most of us still have this elevated idea of “the ministry” on top of that, as though the workings of a particular “ministry” or someone’s calling to a particular type of ministry still is considered more significant than just some Christian’s mere witness of faith. And with this template in place, “the ministry” becomes the focal point and main measuring rod, and one’s particular gifts have to fit the mold in order to be considered valid.
Let me use music as an example of how this fleshes out (since that’s my strength). With this template of ministry, music is classified as either “sacred” or “secular”–and of course, “secular” music has no ministry value. Musicians who have chosen to “yield their gifts to God” will naturally begin to write and sing songs with overt Christian lyrics, or worshipful lyrics, in an attempt to fit the ministry template. It all looks and sounds noble and honorable–after all, we have all been given gifts, and each of us is responsible to yield those gifts back to God. Nothing wrong with Christian lyrics, of course. But what is really happening, I think, is that we are inadvertently allowing our mindset of ministry to define how our gifts are expressed, letting “the ministry” determine whether what we are doing is truly spiritual and beneficial. Either the gift serves the ministry paradigm, or it is rejected out of hand.
But what if our idea of ministry is wrong? What if we aren’t really yielding our gifts to God, but rather to an institutional way of looking at ministry? What if that template were to be re-written?
What if the gift itself IS the ministry? What if when we sing, write, play an instrument, teach, encourage, give, dance, whatever–the activity itself is declaring the glory of God, and blessing others? Isn’t that really what’s happening anyway? Do we really have to superimpose the ministry template on it in order for it to be a blessing to God and to others?
Can’t the gift itself serve the purposes of Christ without bowing to the altar of traditional ministry mindsets? What if the gift IS the ministry?
I cannot tell you how many barriers are removed for me by this simple concept. As one who has felt called to “the ministry” for most of my life, I have felt this responsibility to shape my particular gifts as befitting to a “minister.” And I still feel that sense of calling, and have no desire to run from it. But I think I’ve been serving the wrong thing here. I’ve stifled my own creativity in an attempt to fit a ministry template that is, in fact, man-made. It seems God’s idea of how this creativity can minister is much bigger than our idea of it.
If the gift is the ministry, then any life-giving purpose the gift can serve is fair game. Not just the churchy forms, and not just the verbal content. When we see the gift itself as ministering, it can take so many other forms that multiple posts could not cover the possibilities. Yes, it is good and right for the gift to be yielded to God. But that is more a matter of the heart than anything else; and when the heart is yielded first, I think the expression of the gift will follow.
For me, it means that I am free to explore the possibilities. I am free to go back to my earliest desires for music and see where those paths can lead.
Again, this is not an attempt to run from a ministry calling; it’s the whole picture of what that calling is–and what my portion of God’s ministry is–that is changing for me. God never fits into our boxes, and while He still uses the typical ministry structures, He certainly is not limited by them. And so I’m allowing Him to reshape my thinking about ministry, and particularly, what it can look like for me.
Wayward Son
Musician. Composer. Recovering perfectionist. Minister-in-transition. Lover of puns. Hijacker of rock song references. Questioner of the status quo.
I'm not really a rebel. Just a sincere Christ-follower with a thirst for significance that gets me into trouble. My quest has taken me over the fence of institutional Christianity. Here are some of my random thoughts along the way. Read along, join in the conversation. Just be nice.
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Jeff,
Great post…again!
“What if the gift itself IS the ministry? What if when we sing, write, play an instrument, teach, encourage, give, dance, whatever–the activity itself is declaring the glory of God, and blessing others? Isn’t that really what’s happening anyway? Do we really have to superimpose the ministry template on it in order for it to be a blessing to God and to others?”
Yes, yes, yes! Amen!
“I cannot tell you how many barriers are removed for me by this simple concept.”
I am truly so delighted that Papa has revealed this to you and you find such freedom, comfort and Truth in it! We are all spiritual beings, and we whom have the full expression of the Holy Spirit within us, whatever we do…as long as it is done a spirit of love…we are EXPRESSING Him. So, musicians who play/perform “secular” music ARE shining God through what they do (as long as the message, of course is no evil/dark).
So whatever you do, my friend Jeff, it does not need to be done under what the typical institutional System has for thousands of years defined/deemed as “spiritual.”
“I’ve stifled my own creativity in an attempt to fit a ministry template that is, in fact, man-made.”
I can very much relate. During my years in the institutional system, like you, I believed that my gifts needed to be played out within the 4-walls, as well (Worship Team, Choir, Secretary). It was only when I came out of the System that Papa began revealing to me how mistaken I had been.
Thank goodness for Father’s Wisdom He pours out into us when we step into living in His freedom, love and grace…eh?!
I’m excited to read more, Jeff…
Blessings,
~Amy 🙂
http://amyiswalkinginthespirit.blogspot.com
Jeff,
I think that you are on to something here. I think this whole idea even extends even beyond just institutional church culture. I think that our WHOLE LIFE is supposed to be a ministry. Our whole life is supposed to be worship. I guess the idea I agree with is that when we are truly letting go and fully enjoying life, we are honoring God.
I wish you all the best in your journey.
Peace
When you talk about the gift being the ministry, I think of my favorite guitarist, Phil Keaggy and his instrumental work.
I liked what you posted here Jeff.
The delineation between Sacred and Secular is a bogus one for sure. All work is sacred when it i done unto the Lord.
I like your thoughts about gifts being ministry. So often people who exercise spiritual gifts (in church especially) feel a need to start a ministry instead of simply using it in the everyday life.
What if the gift itself IS the ministry? What if when we sing, write, play an instrument, teach, encourage, give, dance, whatever–the activity itself is declaring the glory of God, and blessing others? Isn’t that really what’s happening anyway? Do we really have to superimpose the ministry template on it in order for it to be a blessing to God and to others?
Can’t the gift itself serve the purposes of Christ without bowing to the altar of traditional ministry mindsets? What if the gift IS the ministry?
That is EXACTLY what I was trying to explain to my mother the other day when she called to confront me (again!) after reading my blog posts about drag queens and skull weddings. If I dance at a wedding that in itself proclaims God because he is there with me and inside me and he is using that to create relationships between me (and as an extension, himself) and the person I am spending time with.
I think the barrier-breaker for me was when I realised that wherever I go, the Holy Spirit is already there before I arrive, is there with me, and will stay after I leave, working in people I have spent time with. My presence there, as long as I have been faithful to what I believe, is ministry. Everything we do is ministry when our mission is the world around us. Our gifts are an important part of that.
I just wish I could make my mother understand that 🙁 She is off doing research as we speak to try to discredit my ideas about incarnational mission, very likely using the works of Charles Finney, David Wilkerson and the good old KJV1611.
Ok, so I’ve been holding off while I read all your thoughts on this. And I have a question.
First, I’ve been thinking about this for a few months. One day I had the thought that since I cannot use my music in church at the moment (since we aren’t in one) that I would love to join an oldies band, or country group, or anything in order to be using my talent, which is so much more than just an ability (I’m not the best singer or anything out there by far)… but it is a part of who I am. I don’t feel complete when I’m not involved in music, and for the past 15 years my participation has been spotty at best.
So is it possible (gasp) to be involved in secular music somehow, and for it to still be a ministry. I realize this could be answered both yes and no (depending on the type of secular music). But I would love to know your thoughts more specifically on this.
Amy,
Thanks again for the encouragement. The journey is both scary (because it’s unfamiliar) and exciting (because it’s freeing). We’ll see where it goes…
Shaun,
“I think that our WHOLE LIFE is supposed to be a ministry. Our whole life is supposed to be worship.”
Yes, yes, YES!
Co-heir,
Yeah, Phil Keaggy is quite an artist. I can also remember when it was considered controversial in Christian music to do “instrumental” music, because without lyrics, you couldn’t identify it as “Christian”, plus it could be considered showing off your gifts for your own glory.
Pardon me, but…rubbish. 🙂
KB,
“The delineation between Sacred and Secular is a bogus one for sure. All work is sacred when it is done unto the Lord.”
Well said, my friend.
Heather,
Your mother is right. You should listen to her.
KIDDING! 🙂
Seriously,however…I’ve been tracking with you on your blog, and I know you are going into some uncomfortable places, places that make a lot of Christians cringe. But you are right–Jesus was already there, and He remained even when you left.
My own mom has worried that I’m going into heresy a couple of times, but I’m usually able to convince her that I’m okay, even if my journey makes her uncomfortable. But it’s always hard when a family member doesn’t understand where God is leading us, and there’s just no getting around that. It hurts. So sorry.
(Hey, at least your mom *reads* your blog. 😀 )
Heidi,
It would seem that you and I are on similar paths at the moment. 🙂
Two things come to mind from my own journey thus far, that I’ll share with you:
1. The sacred/secular thing is a myth. As Kansas Bob said, it’s all sacred when it is unto the Lord. I used to have a major personal issue with doing any music that wasn’t “Christian”. That has gone away. The word “Christian” is a noun, not an adjective. It identifies a Christ-follower; it does not describe a form of music. So I don’t think we should get hung up about that.
2) “Father’s business” is much more than institutional forms of ministry. Our Father is a creator, so when we create good things (like music), we are participating in Father’s business. Father is a builder, so when we build things, that’s Father’s business, too. And if you join a music group and form meaningful relationships with your bandmates and fans, and can reflect Christ to them in those relationships…that’s as much “ministry” as singing a Christian song in a church, and probably more effective. Jesus ministered through relationships, and He was about His Father’s business. So that counts, too. 🙂
Hope that helps.
I agree with you. But it is going to take awhile to work through all the old “Christian-ministry” mindsets I found out I had when I started thinking about this idea.
I am praying for the opportunity to give it a shot though.
Thanks, Jeff. It doesn’t really bother me all that much because the relationship between me and my Mum has never been all that close really, even when I was little. I’ve always been fiercely independent that way. I just sometimes wish she could open her eyes and see, just for a minute, what I do – instead of being so blinded by her own doctrine.
I have been going to some interesting places lately. I’m just waiting to see where it all leads! I know there has to be a reason behind it all. Or maybe the reason is just to get me off my butt and learning about people. I don’t know.
Have you been following jON’s little journey lately? Now he is really going to some interesting places that I am well and truly ready to jump on board with.
Just found your blog through a friend! Your thoughts on this post describe much of what is happening in my heart (a former PK). I have had to find myself in God and not in the church or its definitions of Christian. Still working through it all, but it is exciting to know that my life has so much more potential and purpose! I don’t have to conform to the patterns of the world or church, but I can find His good, pleasing and perfect will as I renew my mind and worship only Him! (Romans 12)