One of the challenges we face in ministry today is simply knowing how to get in touch with people.
Our email inboxes are full. We get group notifications on social media, direct messages from who knows who, texts, calls, etc. We are just trying to avoid wasting time on “spam likely” calls and being harassed daily to renew our car warranty.
Where do we even turn to get reliable information and stay connected?
Modern-day communication has been corrupted.
The Call to Follow
When Jesus called his first disciples, Simon (Peter) and Andrew were in the middle of doing what they did best – fishing. James and John were mending their nets.
“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’
Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.
Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” Matthew 4:19-22
Know and Be Known
We can’t do mass-market ministry.
It was not a cold call when Jesus called these men to leave their nets and boats and become fishers of men. Just as Jesus called out the men personally, we need to know and be known by others. Ministry happens in the context of relationships.
Are you on a first-name basis with other guys? Do you have their number in your phone so it doesn’t look like a spam call when they reach out? Are you intentionally engaging with other men?
Dr. Jim Grassi notes in The Spiritual Mentor, Jesus called out this first small group to “come and follow, then to go and minister.” These men were about their daily business-as-usual when Jesus called. They knew who Jesus was, and they responded immediately.
Where are you known to be, or are you known at all?
Answer the Call
Yes, literally.
We are all called to minister in some way. What does that look like for you? Is it facilitating a small group, mentoring a young person, working on a service project, leading men’s discipleship, or serving the preschool children?
I speak with local church leaders who work diligently to plan and orchestrate small group and discipleship opportunities. They have a responsibility to call out the called, but when it comes to engaging others, they simply can’t get in touch with folks.
Can people get in touch with you, or have you isolated yourself to the point you are uncomfortable picking up the phone?
How do you respond to the call? Will you be diligent not only in listening to the Lord’s call but also to others who can facilitate ministry opportunities for you? It only takes a few seconds of courage to answer the call.