Column: Ideas are easy, action is hard

0

People often approach me with a new ministry idea. Honestly, I love it! There are some great ideas floating around out there. Homeless ministries, retirement home ministries, inner city art programs, ESL classes, adoption, missions trips to different countries, nutrition classes, rape prevention classes, ministries focused on those with disabilities, and even personal finance classes, just to name a few. The conversations almost always go the same way.

  • They let me know their area of passion.
  • They are deeply concerned for the church because it isn’t involved enough in that specific area.
  • They want me to preach and speak about it.
  • They want me to start a church wide movement.
  • They never offer to lead it themselves, usually stating that they are just too busy.

I do believe God calls each of His followers to engage in some type of ministry.

I also believe that many people don’t have time for God things because they are so busy with good things. We live in a day and age of activism awareness, but very few actually act. Most feel pity and have a passion to help those that are hurting in some way, but few will actually rearrange their busy life to engage.

So they desperately work to blame someone for their disobedience.

Excuses flow like Niagara Falls.

The crazy thing is most excuses are good. Good people busy doing decent things. They are just so busy with good things they don’t have time for the best things.

So I pray you become so convicted that you actually adopt, actually teach a class, actually go on a missions trip, actually teach an ESL class, actually go and serve the homeless, or possibly even spend one evening a week encouraging the elderly at a retirement home. Pastors can help equip you for works of service and even do some of these with you, but they can’t live your call for you.


Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Share.

Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Column: Ideas are easy, action is hard

0

Commentary by Mike Colaw

People often approach me with a new ministry idea. Honestly, I love it! There are some great ideas floating around out there. Homeless ministries, retirement home ministries, inner city art programs, ESL classes, adoption, missions trips to different countries, nutrition classes, rape prevention classes, ministries focused on those with disabilities, and even personal finance classes, just to name a few. The conversations almost always go the same way.

  • They let me know their area of passion.
  • They are deeply concerned for the church because it isn’t involved enough in that specific area.
  • They want me to preach and speak about it.
  • They want me to start a church wide movement.
  • They never offer to lead it themselves, usually stating that they are just too busy.

I do believe God calls each of His followers to engage in some type of ministry.

I also believe that many people don’t have time for God things because they are so busy with good things. We live in a day and age of activism awareness, but very few actually act. Most feel pity and have a passion to help those that are hurting in some way, but few will actually rearrange their busy life to engage.

So they desperately work to blame someone for their disobedience.

Excuses flow like Niagara Falls.

The crazy thing is most excuses are good. Good people busy doing decent things. They are just so busy with good things they don’t have time for the best things.

So I pray you become so convicted that you actually adopt, actually teach a class, actually go on a missions trip, actually teach an ESL class, actually go and serve the homeless, or possibly even spend one evening a week encouraging the elderly at a retirement home. Pastors can help equip you for works of service and even do some of these with you, but they can’t live your call for you.


Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Share.

Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact