.Top Ten.

As I approach ministry in an internship site in the fall and professionally (in two years, G-dwilling), I found this to be of serious help and importance. Written by my pastor/mentor, Emily Joye, for a friend's ordination, she posted this on facebook. (If you re-post, please give credit where credit is due.)


What's most important to know for the work of ministry... a top 10 list:

1. It's more important to embody the ethic of Jesus than it is to preach the ethic of Jesus. Incarnating Christ in your body, in all your interactions/words/deeds/relationships (at home and at work and in the streets) is the living witness the world needs. Hence an open mind/body/soul to the Holy Spirit should be the pastor's number one priority which is impossible if you're running around trying to fulfill every obligation under the sun. A posture of humility toward God and the ability to say "no" will preserve you.

2. People's responses to you (especially the things about you that are 'minority' in any context: color, gender, denomination, etc) are about them and not about you. Figure out who you can trust, people whose feedback is honest, genuine, and faithful whether their feedback is affirmative or critical. Listen to them and change accordingly. But do not give yourself over to any old person's opinion.

3. People will outsource their spirituality to you. Don't let them. Big difference between a missionary and a steward. I think too often, because of ego (savior complex b/c we don't trust God), we try to be missionaries when we should be stewards. "Equipping the saints for ministry..." in Ephesians 4. Not "saving the saints for ministry..."

4. Preach the context of the text as much as the meaning of the text. The biblical illiteracy in our society is epidemic and has given way too much license for foolishness in God's name.

5. If you quit growing spiritually, you will be of no use to God. Stay disciplined in the practices that connect you to the Holy Spirit.

6. Good colleagues/friends will save your life--especially colleagues with a sense of humor that can laugh HARD with you. Have a select few that you can tell *everything.* Get together often with them and let it all hang out.

7. The Church is not God. If you start feeling like you're serving a religious institution to the peril of faithfulness to the Living God: quit.

8. Do things that have nothing to do with ministry when you feel burned out: read a novel, walk outside, listen to music, play with your kids, etc. A little time away can work wonders.

9. Don't EVER sacrifice your family.

10. Even when it feels scary, horrifying, too big, too much--speak/be the truth. You will only do this if faith in God's revelation is more important to you than human approval. It's not for the faint of heart but it is life sustaining, life changing, and life-saving practice for you and those you serve.

.on the brink of pentecost.

"My life depends on engaging the most ordinary physical activities with the most exquisite attention I can give them. My life depends on ignoring all touted distinctions between the secular and the sacred, the physical and the spiritual, the body and the soul. What is saving my life now is becoming more fully human, trusting that there is no way to God apart from real life in the real world.”

(Barbara Brown Taylor, from An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith)

.really live- not merely exist.

This prayer/poem/scripture by Howard Thurman is a constant source of strength and joy and challenge in my life. Finding it particularly helpful and relevant these days...

(This image is of the poem as it hangs on the wall next to my bed. I wrote it out and emphasized the words with color. In case it's hard to read, you can read it in full here.)