Ministry

 One of the things that must happen is that we need to redefine ministry.  It is not setting apart one evening a week to knock on doors and pass out tracts.  It is not standing on a street corner warning of the end of time and urging people to repent.  It is not the addition of yet another Bible study program in your church.  Ministry happens when we spend time with people addressing the challenges they have in their lives.  A teacher ministers when he or she encourages a child that may come out of a difficult home environment.  A small business owner ministers when he or she writes off a debt owed by someone he or she knows is struggling financially.  A person eating in a restaurant may minister to a server who is struggling at home with a smile and a generous tip.  The thing that is often overlooked in the Great Commission is the tense found in Jesus' words when He says, "Go therefore...."  The word go is better translated "as you are going."  In other words we don't fulfill the Great Commission just when we do special "church" things.  We fulfill it when we connect with people as we go through our daily lives.  Through those connections we may eventually find an opportunity to share our faith with them, and if we've consistently ministered to them we will have earned the right to do so.