Saturday, 22 November 2008
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My Assignment to Minister Creatively for Christmas
One Sunday last Christmas season, instead of collecting tithes, our pastor gave out envelopes containing cash. He directed the congregants to use that money to meet a need in the name of Jesus. I think we've all heard about this sort of thing, if not from the Church then at least from Oprah. Though results are mixed in their level of success, they're successful nonetheless.
This holiday season Pastor has issued a similar assignment, but one ten times more daunting: "Let us find creative ways to send [Jesus'] hand of grace into the hearts and lives of those around us. ... Find something that moves you. Be inspired about meeting that need. Seek God's wisdom and guidance. Act on it."
"Are you kidding me, Pastor? Is this all you have to offer in way of direction?!"
I know why this is difficult. When he gave money, he gave something to start with, so my first assumption is that this year, Pastor has given us nothing to work with at all. Just a general push out the door and the words "do good."
But we weren't really given nothing. We're just forced to start with ourselves, with the talents and abilities God has given each of us. Unfortunately, we were never issued envelopes indicating what those are. It can take a lifetime to figure that out, and if we use all that time in just discovering our talents, we've wasted them.
So what to do? I prayed about it last week and then forgot about it, until I saw a woman this morning who goes to the church, and she asked me what I was doing. Then I read a story on Revelife where a person responded to God's command to action... and I got the impression that my prayer is another God isn't letting me forget.
So I'm back waiting for him, albeit hesitantly, because it means he might actually have something for me to do. But as I'm learning to wait for his response... or respond to his reminders. I'm also learning to prayerfully reach out in other ways. Perhaps discovering my talents and God's purpose for me also lies in halting, stumbling steps towards action.
Are you planning to do some creative ministering during this Christmas season?
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Comments (10)
We just do the same decorations every year for christmas its real boring.
I have soooo many ideas (they ususally come to me when I go to the store) but I don't have the money yet to do the things I want to do its really sad.
I focused on my talents early in life, I've allways been thinking about them. I've allways streched that muscle all my life and its gotten strong. I think that a lot of people are missing out on this opportunity i"ve had to allways have good ideas for everything.
Christmas is allways fun for me for this reason. Even if I can't do the ideas I have its okay knowing that I atleast had some ideas and shared them with people.
Young Jesus in the temple signifies a person who has become aware of his gifts. He had a great mom and dad who raised him well. Parents are SO important in a child's discovery of his spiritual gifts.
Even being self-ignorant there are beaucoup ways of helping people that demand ZERO creativity. For ease it might be best to keep efforts simple, direct and useful.
I hadn't really thought about it that much...I'm still not ready for Thanksgiving, let alone Christmas!
But that's a good thing to be thinking about!
I think our pastors should be sending us out every week like this, just as Jesus did in the great commission. We often forget that God has blessed us so we can bless others. We're to be giving ourselves to others just as Christ gave Himself for us.
If you're really stumped at what you should be doing, first ask God to put something on your heart and pray for Him to open your eyes to opportunities. You may also want to consider asking a couple good, trusted friends what they perceive to be your gifts/talents. Other people often see these things in us before we do ourselves.
Perhaps discovering my talents and God's purpose for me also lies in halting, stumbling steps towards action.
Right. We never will do everything perfectly yet God is constantly teaching us whether we "succeed" or stumble.
I do have a friend who is sick with cancer and do plan to spend more time with her, Lord willing. This is something I consider a real privilege. It is always such a blessing to me to spend time with her.
Ok, I'm going to use this opportunity to shamelessly advertise. If you're looking for a way to help people for Christmas, look no further than your local Salvation Army. Every year The Salvation Army provides clothes, toys, and food to needy families in communities all over the nation and world, as well as nursing home visits, feeding programs, etc. You can volunteer to help for any of these programs. You can volunteer to ring bells, which is a fundraiser that allows The Salvation Army to help people all year long.
I know this isn't particularly creative, but it's something you can do. We can talk about using our talents, and definitely God intends for us to use them, but there comes a point when we stop talking and start doing.
As for myself, what will I do to creatively extend the hand of grace to the people around me? Well, I've started by checking my attitude: I do what I do because of the love of God and I will not allow Christmas to become something I dread. Second, I have determined to be more intentional about my interactions with people and specifically look for opportunities to share Jesus.
Well, Christmas is closely followed with the thought of giving. I have started conversations about Christ by just giving out pieces of gum to people without being asked. So if there's someone particularly on your heart, or anyone at all, then maybe you could just give them the unexpected.
@I_drink_hot_tea@xanga - I like the gum idea! I may add that to our small Gospel tracts we use which are called "Ticket to Heaven". It is small and narrow and looks like a baseball game ticket. I always ask people to please read this if they take it. But it also opens the door to share with them about Christ (if they are interested).
@naphtali_deer@xanga - Spending time with others is a 'heart thing'. I have a friend who has Lou Gerrig's desease and is going downhill quick. But he knows God personally!
This is a great idea. My pastor is trying to think of creative ways to ring in the holiday season for Christ. If you come up with any, I'd love to hear them :)
an interesting idea I heard of was these people that were finding the homeless and buying them a meal and eating with them. as they ate together they talked about God. I wanted to do that so badly and I missed my opportunity, I'll never let myself live it down. an older woman approached me and asked if I had any cash. I never carry cash. I was on my way into the matress store and said how sorry I was but I never have cash. I went back outside thinking "why didn't I take her into the olive garden acrss the parking lot and get her the soup salad and breadsticks meal at the very least?" but she was already gone. Acts of kindness in such an unkind world speak for God in a big way. We have to be "unworldly" if thats a word so that everyone else wonders what's different about us. I failed that day, but it's burned in my brain now that I can't let that happen again.