A Working Definition:

    According to Dictionary.com, the definition of ministry is (a) the act of serving, and (b) one that serves as a means; an instrumentality. In other words, ministry is the act of serving, or better yet, the means through which someone else conducts ministry. As ministers, we serve, but the ministry that actually takes place comes from God. Ministry can the be defined as "the act of serving God", or "the act of allowing God to minister through you".

     Suffice that to say that ministry is basically an act of God. We really don't minister, but we allow God to minister through us. This is also true of serving God. In reality, He is the one that works in us to allow us to serve Him! Without God, it's not really ministry. Apart from Him, ministry becomes a feeble and fruitless attempt to accomplish something, when in reality, nothing is accomplished.

     The Purpose:

     "Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." " (Matthew 28:18-20, NIV) The entire purpose of ministry is to make disciples of all nations, and every single believer is charged with this command. Does this mean that we all have to pastor a church or become a missionary? Not at all. The beauty of ministry is that we all serve according to our own talents and abilities with this purpose in mind, and God brings our ministries together. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God doesn't want anyone to perish, but instead wants everyone to come to repentance. This is why we are ministers, and this is the basic purpose behind ministry.

     How Ministry Works:

     To tell you the truth, I really don't know how ministry works, but I can give you some characteristics about ministry. All I do know is that God ministers through us when we allow Him to. Ministry comes from a humble spirit, recognizing that we can not accomplish anything without God's help. Ministry happens through prayer, as we bring to Him the concerns of out heart. Ministry takes place through our actions, be it adopting an orphan or handing someone a glass of water. Ministry comes from God, and God alone. Ministry is always loving and Christ-like, with no room for selfishness. Ministry is living the lives that God has called us to.

     Just like I mentioned earlier, ministry happens when we allow God to work through us, which is why prayer and humility are so essential to ministry. Naturally, there is much, much more to ministry than what I have just talked about, but I don't profess to know everything. However, through the course of this blog, we (the members of Project62) will try our best to equip, enable, and encourage you in your ministry. We aren't perfect, but then again, ministry isn't about us to begin with.

     God Bless,
     Kenaniah