Fall has finally arrived in Houston. A lovely cold front came through last night and brisk autumn temperatures now grace our city. The best part? Those pesky mosquitoes that have plagued us for the past couple of weeks forcing us to remain indoors and yell at the kids to “Shut the door!” are finally under control. Thankfully, the weekend looks bright and wonderful!
Today, Kelli Wommack is my guest today as we continue our Friday Fall Favorites series. She is a Christian, wife, mom, motivational speaker, writer, ministry leader, and author of her blog Unwrapping the Gifts of God. Kelli believes that everything is a gift of God and she wants to spend the rest of her life unwrapping those wonderful gifts!
Actually, I feel like Kelli wrote today's story just for me. Goodness, I needed to hear this. I hope you enjoy today’s story as much as I did and maybe you will be touch by its truth as well.
The Ministry of Presence
In my role as SERVE minister at Christ Community Church, I have the awesome privilege and responsibility of helping people find their unique ministry niche within the kingdom of God. I explain in classes and in one-on-one consultations that every Christian has a ministry. Just like our human body, the body of Christ is made up of many parts and each one is necessary for the body to function as it was intended to function.
One day, after our church services, a woman walked up to me. This gentle-spirited woman had been through our classes that help a person discover their ministry. I had met with her about a year ago and together we discussed how God had created her with certain gifts, talents, and experiences along with a vibrant personality and passion. I had given her several suggestions for ministry placement based on our discussion. She served a trial run in a couple of those ministries and after a time, found that she was still struggling with direction. I told her to continue to pray that God would show her where and how He wanted her to serve.
So, the day she approached me after the service, I noticed that she had a big smile and a feeling of contentment. She said, “I think I have discovered my ministry. But I don ‘t know what to call it. I don’t think there is actually a name for it.” I was not bothered by the idea of a nameless ministry, but very curious to hear about it. I asked her to tell me about her “nameless” ministry. She began to tell me that she had observed when she was most fulfilled, and most fruitful. She felt that her greatest ministry was “just being with people – just listening to them, praying for them, fellowshipping with them, just BEING with them.” I totally agreed with her assessment because I had been one to benefit from this ministry of hers. And then I said, “There is actually a name for that...” She was bewildered. “Really?” I replied, “Yes, it is called the MINISTRY OF PRESENCE.”
Though my friend is extremely gifted in this ministry and very open to the Spirit’s leading in her life, this is a ministry for all of us. In the U.S., we have so disciplined ourselves to be taskmasters -- to do, and to check off lists. And sometimes, in fact, many times, God is not calling us to “do” anything. He is calling us to “be” there for people. I am much more aware of this when I have traveled to other countries on mission trips. Yes, I may be there to teach at a conference, or to help with an evangelism effort. But when there is nothing on the schedule, there is still something on the schedule. That something is just being with the people – listening to them, talking with them, fellowshipping with them, hearing their stories, praying with them.
Do you have people around you that need your “ministry of presence?” Maybe it is your spouse, your children, your co-worker, or your neighbor? We don’t have to have a task to complete in order to minister to others. Let’s be present and in the moment. Undistracted. Completely focused...on them.
Connect with Kelli on Facebook, Twitter @KelliWomma, or at Unwrapping the Gifts of God.
I love that name, "Ministry of Presence." I think it's a noble way to serve Jesus Christ. We need those people oriented type of personalities to mingle and be the life of the party. They are like magnets and attract people wherever they go. People who need to know Jesus.
Posted by: Suzanne Kuchynka | 12/30/2011 at 09:23 PM
Thank you for unwrapping that gift of GOD!!
Posted by: Jennifer | 10/29/2011 at 12:38 PM
Yes, Tammy! Isn't it wonderful to know that it is not what we say, or even do...but just being there is what matters!
Posted by: Kelli Wommack | 10/28/2011 at 12:27 PM
Kelli - wonderful! I never knew there was a name for what I LOVE to do! Thank you for today's post!
Great wisdom for all of us!
Posted by: Tammy K. | 10/28/2011 at 11:29 AM