I recently worked at a conference where I was on the youth ministry team. During my time there something very profound hit me. In spite of all of our efforts, the best minstry comes when we get out of God's way. You see, the conference featured a daily chapel service which was very elaborate, well rehearsed, and the product of many many hours of rehersal. However, many people in attendance, the youth in particular, left feeling spiritually hungry. Our youth ministry team layed out a prayer labrynth on a tarp, set up some candles, and gave some very basic instructions on how a prayer labrynth works. The results were amazing, (not that you can measure the quality of ministry by outward expressions.) It really seemed that God was moving in these people's lives.
What I learned is that none of us really "do" ministry. At our best we can help people draw closer to God. What I am finding to be the best way to do that is to share our own experiences, lay out very basic instructions, and then stand back and watch the Holy Spirit go to work in people's lives.
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Holla! There were a couple of good sermons during the worship services (namely Buddy's), but the labyrinth and trust walk definitely blew everything else out of the water. Sharing experiences and pointing people in the right direction when it comes to God is the best way that I've found as well when it comes to ministry. When you think about it, Jesus did exactly that with parables, giving people what they needed to get closer God. God bless and take care. I'll be reading.
-Scott
hey guys its a pam reunion :-P just wanted to say hi. true true to what u're sayin...esp. about "doing ministry"--also its hard to judge what is effective bc it really is a matter of the heart and how the individual approaches each opportunity. someone once put it as, "worship is when you intimately encounter God (whether through music, books, sermons, walks, etc.) and Respond to him."
btw i like your name, just as i am.
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