Ministry in the interruptions – Eph 4:11-12
Ministry is full of interruptions; any pastor can tell you that. Phone calls, visitors, problems that arise, administrative issues you name it. As a pastor no aspect of your life is safe from interruptions, children’s birthday parties, dinners, family nights, and even vacations are interrupted by these interruptions and even at times halted if the involve a severe enough reason. However, we fail to realize what a very wise professor once told me, “Interruptions are ministry”. It is often in these interruptions that people’s mental, physical and most importantly spiritual needs are meet by the wise pastor.
But why am I writing about something that only concerns pastors…because ministry is the responsibility of everyone. A pastor once said that he left the ministry when he became a pastor”. Now that might seem strange but consider Eph 4:11-12, “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”. The labors of ministry are not pastor teachers, or evangelist, but Christians. That is not to say that pastors and evangelist are not involved in ministry, for we are all commanded by the Great Commission to make disciples. However, the main focus of a pastor is to equip his flock for the work of the ministry. But that ministry we equip you for is often found in the interruptions of your daily life. Jesus ministry was full of interruptions but they were divine appointment for Jesus to minister to those in need and show them the love of God. It is through those acts of love that He drew men into the Kingdom of Heaven, and in the same way we will draw men to Christ.
Now I will admit there are all types of interruptions there those in which people are seeking your help and those when they are simply complaining. But we need to remember that they are all opportunities to minister to others. Consider Proverbs 15:1-2 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.” You may never know how your “gentle answer” might affect those you speak to. Ask any pastor and they will tell you story after story of someone who thanked them for something they said at a funeral, in the hospital, or in a sermon. More often than not they do not remember what they said or feel that what they said was not that important. Many times the parts of our messages which we feel fall flat are often the parts which resonate with someone and ministers to them. You never know how God will use your “gentle answer”. But unless you give a “gentle answer” you will never minister to those you meet. The trick of course is remembering that the interruption which might be irritating you may be a divine appointment for you to minister to someone in need.
So take some time this week and consider past interruptions in your life. Were they missed opportunities for ministry? If so ask God to forgive you and to help you in the future when these ministry opportunities occur. Then consider those who might routinely interrupt your day and consider how those interruptions might be and opportunity for ministry. Remember a time when you needed to be ministered to and interrupted someone else. What did they do well, and what did they not do well? Asking these questions will help equip you to be a blessing and not a hindrance to those in need. Do not be discouraged if your first attempts are not successful, God does not base our success the same way we do. You are successful in God’s eyes when you obey and give your all. So trust God and join Him in ministering to those in need who He places in your path, remembering that God trusted you and you alone to minister to them.
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