My husband and I felt the stirring to leave the church we had been serving in West Virginia after just three short years. We prayed for months asking God why He wanted us to move back home and what ministry roles would we fulfill. Our answer was simple. God just said go home.
When we returned to our hometown, we felt a bit lost because there were no pulpits involved in the move. Since our move, many have asked if we left the ministry, asking my husband if he was still pursuing pastoral positions in a church, or had he been preaching?
Answering these questions repeatedly has made me consider what ministry truly is. It has helped me learn that ministry does not always require a pulpit. I believe many Christians have concluded if you are not preaching, you are not in ministry. I am here to rebuff that ideology.
The Greek root word for ministry is “diakonia.” Its definition refers to service, ministry, office, relief, and support. Primarily, “diakonia” refers to the act of service or ministry. In the New Testament, “diakonia” is used 32 times and its other form “diakonos” is used 29 times.
The word is not telling us to just serve others. It means to serve selflessly. Be humble. We are to put other’s needs before our own. In Acts we can experience the full definition of the word “diakonia.” In Acts 6:1 the word refers to serving food. In Acts 6:4 “diakonia” refers to the spreading of the Word. Further on in Acts 11:29 it refers to famine relief.
Ministry is a multi-faceted action for all Christians. Ministry is what we do for our church, our families, our friends, our neighbors, or the stranger we meet at the grocery store. It is simply what we do for God.
The basic truth of ministry is that it is all about service. Luke 10:38-41 is one of my favorite examples of service. Jesus is at the home of Mary and Martha, and Martha is serving Jesus. She was upset with her sister, but she understood that to show love for others – as the greatest commandment tells us – meant that she would use her gifts and talents to serve Jesus. In 2 Timothy 1:16-18 we find Paul ministering, from prison, to the family of Onesiphorus. He speaks sweetly of Onesiphorus and how he had come to Rome to find Paul and left Paul refreshed.
In the New Testament, ministry was the twelve disciples following Jesus as he preached and taught the world about God. Ministry was the leaders of the new church once Jesus ascended to heaven. The women heading to the tomb on the third morning to properly cleanse the body of Jesus was ministry. Paul, being hid and aided in escaping danger was ministry.
Today, ministry has not changed. It shows love in action.
Biblical ministry is what all Christians are called to. But that calling will not look the same for everyone. Diving into God’s Word, we see ministry being displayed from the beginning of time. When God created the world, He was ministering to us. He was giving us a beautiful, abundant, self-sustaining place to enjoy His blessings.
Abraham ministered to his family when he obeyed the call to go. Noah ministered to his family as he built the ark in preparation for the flood. Moses ministered to the Hebrews when he followed God’s call to free the Israelites. The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Habakkuk, and Job all ministered to the world they lived in by sharing what God had taught them.
When we fast forward to the New Testament, we see Mary ministering to her family as she raises the Messiah. John the Baptist travels, sharing the good news of the Messiah that is to come. Paul completes missionary journeys spreading the gospel. John gives followers of Christ a glimpse into the end times by following God’s command to write Revelation. The ultimate ministry is shown by Jesus as he travels, teaching, preaching, healing, and encouraging the Father’s creation.
The Bible is full of ministry. It is packed with people using the talents God gave them to serve the people in their world. The ultimate purpose is to share the good news of Christ, and through their selfless service they did just that.
I could write a book answering this question, but I will try to be short. Ministry today is selfless, creative, bold, and full of love. Catherine Cole writes, “I didn’t understand that ministry comes in all shapes and forms – and sometimes those shapes and forms are very unexpected.” Her ministry was fulfilling the role of recruitment and admissions manager, and the manager of communications for Acadia Divinity College. She was not preaching or using a pulpit, yet she was working in the ministry.
As I am writing this, a flood has devastated a small town in West Virginia where my husband served as pastor of a Southern Baptist Church. I am witnessing people coming together to provide food, water, clothing, and shelter for those who have lost their homes. That is ministry!
For my little family, a pulpit is not a part of ministry today. Our ministry has transitioned to caring for our families since we have lost loved ones. My husband provides devotionals for our livestock show family when we cannot be at church. Our children are going on mission trips and attending youth group meetings to deepen their faith. Currently, our ministry is our family. Our goal in the present is to continue ministry in the way God wants us to and, if and when that may involve a pulpit, we are ready.
Ministry today is not different from ministry we witness in the Bible. Ephesians 4:12 says “…equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.” We are still doing that. Churches around the globe are cooking and delivering meals to shut-ins and the homeless. Care packages are being shipped to college students and military members. Mission teams are still mucking out houses and building new structures for those in need. Handicapped ramps are being built for people with disabilities. Pastors are sitting with families as they face the loss of a loved one. Preachers are still spreading the gospel with their voices.
Ministry is still about selfless service and love. It still rooted in the example Jesus Christ gave us.
Todd Wilson wrote these words in his book More. “God the Creator has uniquely designed each of us to function in ways that bring us purpose and significance… God equips us with a unique calling to play a specific role in accomplishing his mission on earth as we make disciples.”
Every Christian is called to ministry, but that ministry does not always involve a pulpit. Our call to ministry begins the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. As you travel the Christian journey, your ministry may find you at a stove, swinging a hammer, teaching a Sunday school class, serving in the church nursery, delivering supplies to people in need, or on your knees in prayer. What is certain is that ministry is where you will use God’s perfect design in your life to plant seeds and make disciples of all nations.
Ashley Hooker is a freelance writer passionate about missions. She has collaborated with mission teams in North Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, and Vermont. Presently, she lives in North Carolina with her husband and two children, where she fulfills roles as a pastor's wife, a dance mom, and a farm girl.
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