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Church Considers Ministry Expansions
by Greg Miller By Greg Miller 2015 A rural church had a dream of evangelizing the entire area within 10 years. "Youth and children comprise a big part of our plan," said Trey, the congregation's youth pastor. "We want to serve a larger number of single mothers," remarked Tricia, who ministered to that group. "We should start a ministry to the area's alcoholics and drug addicts," said Pastor Ted, the congregation's senior minister. Associate Pastor Theodore said the church should begin ministering to the city's college students. Travis, a recent college graduate, felt the church should begin a ministry to area high school athletes. During each midweek Bible study, Pastor Ted allowed one of the church's leaders to address the congregation about his or her particular area of ministry interest. Travis spoke bluntly about the need for ministry to the athletes. "Our community's high school athletes are special," he said. "They are crying out for spiritual help. They all need Jesus, our savior, in their lives. We need to walk through every open door to hit a grand slam home run in telling them about the Lord." "Our college students are undergoing a huge battle in today's society," said Associate Pastor Theodore. "The devil is tempting them in so many ways to turn away from following the Lord Jesus Christ." "I think we should start a ministry to those involved with substance abuse," said Pastor Ted. "This ministry would offer spiritual counseling to those having problems with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and it would work to make those substances less available. I believe we need to push for a referendum on the ballot in next year's election to ban the sale of those items in local stores." Tricia detailed her vision for the proposed ministry to single women. "Our church's ladies can get together once a week to pray for the single mothers," she said. "We can also start collecting blankets, bottles and baby food for their babies. And I think we should have a Mother's Day party for them and get a present for each of them." Trey suggested the children and youth be allowed to lead the worship services once each month. "They will learn by doing, and they will become the Christ-like leaders we need in both today's and tomorrow's churches," he said. Todd, the church's volunteer coordinator, believed more volunteers needed to be recruited for the proposed ministry expansions. "I'd like to have at least 10 new volunteers for each ministry," he said. "That number seems a bit high," said Trey. "I don't think so," said Todd. "After all, this is a church and, as Christians, we are people of faith. We need to pray that God will give us the needed volunteers, then start talking as if we already have those volunteers. God is faithful, and He will give them to us!" To contact the writer of this column about speaking engagements, including Christian Comedy Fundraising Outreaches, Christian Creativity Seminars and/or puppet ministry, please email [email protected]. By Greg Miller 2018 Greg is retired from the Elizabethton STAR Newspaper, after working there for almost 23 years. He now freelances for the paper. Contact email address is [email protected], also facebook.com/kidcool4jesus. Available for speaking engagements/other ministries. Jesus is Lord Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |