397: Work, Ministry and Purpose

Are you stuck where purpose is concerned?  Are you confused about the difference between ministry and purpose?  Do you understand the potential difference between your purpose and your occupation?  If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, then this Memo is for you.  If you answered them no, then this Memo is still for you because I am using a different format this week that requires you to do some work! In other words, this Memo is for you, so you had better read on and not miss out.

PURPOSEFUL MINISTRY

I have noticed that we allow people to do "anything" they want in the church, as long as it's ushering, nursery or choir!  How and when did we lose our sense of creativity in ministry?  In part, it is because we have assumed that only those who derive their income from ministry are truly in ministry, and those are usually pastors, administrators and musicians. 

That leaves everything else for the “non-ministry" people to do.  Consequently, too many people see themselves as not doing ministry, even though they have important things to do in the church. Thus the church loses valuable human resources and their gifts, all because of bad thinking.

PurposeCoach Points:  1) You may already have a ministry, even though you are working outside the church.  2) God may also want you to work in the church without pay as He provides your needs through your job.

CASE STUDY

Consider this case study of Paul and see if you can answer these questions:

1. What did Paul do for a living?  (See Acts 18:3).
2. Who wrote the book of Acts? (his name begins with L)
3. Do you think it’s interesting that Paul wrote 13 letters in the New Testament, but never mentioned what he did to make a living?
4. In every letter, however, Paul mentioned what his purpose was (go to Acts 26:9-19 and see if you can describe Paul’s purpose in a short phrase.  Need help?  Then go to Galatians 2:7).
5. Can you find those references that Paul wrote?  if not, then go to my site and look for the article, Paul: A Man of Purpose.

So what is the significance for you? 

1. Define our purpose by what you do that gives you pleasure and serves Him and not by what you do for a living.
2. You don't have to be paid by a church to work in a church. In fact, Jesus never recruited anyone to a paid position with benefits!
3. Be creative and define your purpose according to who you are, not by what already exists. 

I have given you some work to do this week, so you had better get busy. As you study and reflect on what I wrote, however, I know it will help you have a great week!  Blessings!

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REVELATION: I need your help. I urgently want to publish my next book, this time a devotional from the book of Revelation. I wrote about this project in my blog last week and encourage you to read what I wrote there. In that post, I explain my urgency in wanting to get it out for people to read. Then please consider if the Lord wants you to help me to restore an important book of the Bible that has been obscured by so many weird interpretations.  If you have any questions about the project, please don't hesitate to contact me.

THE SOPHIA FUND:  It was a slow week for The Sophia Fund, although I did get permission to put out a container in a busy restaurant to collect money.  That is a blessing!  The need is urgent and the workers are grateful, but are requesting even more help.  If you didn't read the email below that I received two weeks ago from Eddie Adembesa in Kenya, here it is again:

Greetings from us all WEMA widows with the trust that all is well by the grace of God.
 
This is to acknowledge that we have received $1,000 Sophia Fund and $50 St. Paul’s Baptist Church which you sent to us through SARAH NETWORK towards the feeding programme for orphans under the care of WEMA widows.
 
This has not only put a smile on the face of the children but also the widows who have great lack due to the prolonged drought that Kenya is facing.
 
To every single person who made this possible, it’s a big thank you and God truly bless you and enlarge your territories. A good measure shaken together, pressed down and overflowing. I call this a divine connection from God. Let’s continue to pray for one another as we continue noble task. Once again thank you and God bless you.

As I promised, every penny you send is going to feed the poor in Zimbabwe and Kenya. Nothing goes to overhead or administration.  With reports like the one above, won't you consider helping orphans and widows today?  You can read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother) that will help feed widows and orphans in Kenya and Zimbabwe. 

Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more.  You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world.

The most recent posted entry about The Sophia Fund is here.

FACEBOOK:  I continue to update my personal page on Facebook.  Check it out and let's be friends when you have a chance.  Also you can find me on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow me.