Friday, May 3, 2002
Friday, May 3, 2002
But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course
and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God's
grace.
A few years later he had the opportunity to worship at Windsor Village Church in Houston,
Texas. He arrived early to be sure he would have a seat for the 8:00 a.m. worship service. He
discovered a church that is growing through the power of prayer. Just ten years ago Windsor
Village had 25 members. Today it has an average attendance of 2000. Between the worship
services Wilke had the opportunity to talk with some leaders of the church. They told him
about the training and preparation each new member is expected to undergo. Each person is
expected to pray for the ministry of the church. Each one is asked to tell the congregation
what his or her ministry is going to be.
For example, in the service Wilke attended a middle-aged man stood before the congregation
and made this commitment, "I'm not able to work right now," he said, "so I'm helping with our
homeless program, helping to stock the food pantry and the clothing supply for Houston's
homeless." An elderly woman said, "My ministry is to help in the nursery. I love to care for your
babies. I've had five of my own and eight grandchildren. I guess the Lord can use me in
taking care of little ones." A thirteen-year-old boy, recently baptized, said, that he sings in the
young people's gospel choir and is in Sunday School.
What is your ministry?
(Acts 20.24
NRSV)
Bishop Richard Wilke recalls the time he served as a pastor. He had read church growth
material that said the key to keeping new members was to find a committee for them to work
on. So that's what he did. Every new member was asked which committee she or he would
like to serve on and was placed on that committee. Over the years Wilke realized that this
method wasn't working. People would come for one meeting and never come back for a
second. What was the problem? he asked himself.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the ministry you have called me to fulfill. Amen.
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