One of the most exciting things in ministry is seeing the seed that have been planted grow and bear fruit. At times seed have been planted for a long time before they begin to sprout and other times they seem to shoot up with a passion that cannot be stopped. But there is always a great deal of time and care that needs to take place to cultivate a dream and make it reality. The same is true with ministry. We need to have a focus and a vision for where God is calling us to be. For each ministry there is a different call and a variety of ways to get there, but it is all for the glory of God.
At MUMC we have come to understand that our student ministry (Life Force Youth) is called to “Journey with one another toward deeper discipleship.”
In this we know that we are all on a spiritual journey (like it or not). This is what john Wesley would have referred to as prevenient grace. We are all seeking to be closer to God in all that we do and at times the road is easy and at other times the road is hard. We also know that we meet others on our journey. some are just beginning and others have been Christ Followers for a long time. Regardless of where you are in your walk, we are in this together. We understand that god has called us to serve one another and be in fellowship with our community.
In all that we as a ministry do we should ask ourselves how is this accomplishing our mission. Are we truly journeying with one another or are we just faking it? Are we a real community and a place where we can all live into the people that God had called us to be or do folks feel like they have to wear a mask when they are hear? Are we making deeply committed disciples? Is everyone journeying down the path to deep discipleship or are we stuck or back tracking?
We have to ask these questions to become the ministry that God wants us to be. We have to remain focused on this even when it is hard and we are tires and we would rather “phone in” a lesson, small group, or time with the students.
How are we living into our mission?
Where do we need to spend some time working on it?
