And the special gift of ministry you re- ceived when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn't want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.”
(2 Timothy 1:6-7 from The Message)
Dear Friends in Christ,
I pray that God’s Spirit has blessed you during your Lenten journey to the cross and empty tomb. We celebrate Jesus’ res- urrection March 31! Hallelujah! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Holy Comforter is being led wonderfully by God’s Spirit. Your Call Committee has been approved. They will be trained soon. Pray for them! Pastor Ernie Hinojosa, from the NC Lutheran Synod and the ELCA, will be with you on April 14 to preach/lead worship AND to lead you in the very im- portant “self-study.” God’s Spirit is on the move at Holy Comforter!
During this interim season, I have ob- served some wonderful ministers at HCLC, faithfully carrying on the Lord’s mission here. I haven’t heard it here, but once in a while I’ll hear someone say dur- ing an interim, “Well, you know I’ve got to keep doing this ministry around the Church; it’s my job.” A word of advice ... don’t confuse a ministry with a job. Some- one shared this interesting little “sermon” with me a while back. Spiritually ponder ... “Is It a Ministry or a Job?”
Some people have a job, position or duty in the Church.
Others invite themselves
into a ministry.
What's the difference you ask?
If you are doing it just because no one else will, it's a job.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a ministry.
If you quit because someone criticized you, it's a job.
If you keep on serving, it's a ministry.
If you'll do it as long as it does not interfere with your other activities, it's a job.
If you are committed to staying, even if it means letting go of other things,
it's a ministry.
If you quit because no one thanked you or praised you, it's a job.
If you stick with it even though no one rec- ognized your efforts, it's a ministry.
It's hard to get excited about a job.
It's almost impossible not to get excited about a ministry.
If your concern is success, it's a job.
If your concern is faithfulness and service, it's a ministry.
If God calls you to a ministry, please don't treat it like a job!
Lord, strengthen your servants and move us to a true sense of ministry and service, through your grace and mercy. Amen.
Friends, in this interim season, let’s keep “focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.” (Philippians 3:15) What God “has for us” is a wonderfully, overflowing, grace- filled & Spirit-led ministry (not job) to which we have been called and equipped...wouldn’t you say!
God bless you...my partners in ministry.
Pastor John
(2 Timothy 1:6-7 from The Message)
Dear Friends in Christ,
I pray that God’s Spirit has blessed you during your Lenten journey to the cross and empty tomb. We celebrate Jesus’ res- urrection March 31! Hallelujah! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Holy Comforter is being led wonderfully by God’s Spirit. Your Call Committee has been approved. They will be trained soon. Pray for them! Pastor Ernie Hinojosa, from the NC Lutheran Synod and the ELCA, will be with you on April 14 to preach/lead worship AND to lead you in the very im- portant “self-study.” God’s Spirit is on the move at Holy Comforter!
During this interim season, I have ob- served some wonderful ministers at HCLC, faithfully carrying on the Lord’s mission here. I haven’t heard it here, but once in a while I’ll hear someone say dur- ing an interim, “Well, you know I’ve got to keep doing this ministry around the Church; it’s my job.” A word of advice ... don’t confuse a ministry with a job. Some- one shared this interesting little “sermon” with me a while back. Spiritually ponder ... “Is It a Ministry or a Job?”
Some people have a job, position or duty in the Church.
Others invite themselves
into a ministry.
What's the difference you ask?
If you are doing it just because no one else will, it's a job.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a ministry.
If you quit because someone criticized you, it's a job.
If you keep on serving, it's a ministry.
If you'll do it as long as it does not interfere with your other activities, it's a job.
If you are committed to staying, even if it means letting go of other things,
it's a ministry.
If you quit because no one thanked you or praised you, it's a job.
If you stick with it even though no one rec- ognized your efforts, it's a ministry.
It's hard to get excited about a job.
It's almost impossible not to get excited about a ministry.
If your concern is success, it's a job.
If your concern is faithfulness and service, it's a ministry.
If God calls you to a ministry, please don't treat it like a job!
Lord, strengthen your servants and move us to a true sense of ministry and service, through your grace and mercy. Amen.
Friends, in this interim season, let’s keep “focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.” (Philippians 3:15) What God “has for us” is a wonderfully, overflowing, grace- filled & Spirit-led ministry (not job) to which we have been called and equipped...wouldn’t you say!
God bless you...my partners in ministry.
Pastor John
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