The Ministry of Friend-Building
May 1st, 2008 by ljkim
Usually when people think of getting involved in the “ministry” of the church they think: Elder, Deacon, Usher, Bible Study Leader, Sunday School teacher, etc… And while these are fine and important ways to get involved, they are not the main event. If “church” was primarily a “school” of sorts to propagate religion then teaching would be most important; if church was primarily an action organization then deacons would be most important. But if church is primarily a community, then the most important ministry is the one of making friends and helping other people to be friends as well…(both with one another and with God). Not fake friends, or grudging, ‘let’s be nice to one another’ friends, but genuine friends who like each other because we share key things (having to do with Sin and God) in common. Big sisters and big brothers who make people feel at home because they’re quick to love, slow to judge, are worth their weight in gold (so to speak) in God’s book. It takes work to build friendships! But by doing so you’re investing in something that will last longer than anything else you can invest in…
Anyway, the good thing about this perspective is that you don’t need to be asked to step up to this ministry, you can do this wherever you are. Also, you can’t have too many people doing this in one place whereas too many pastors or teachers can get annoying. People who do this are what make boring churches (and workplaces and neighborhoods) good, and good churches (and workplaces and neighborhoods) great!
[About the photo: I stole this from somewhere. And yes! I know this is cheesy...but who doesn't like a little cheese every now and then? And who doesn't like monkeys and/or kittens?]
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