Ministry - in the church and outside the church

For many years the only serving I did for Christ was in the church itself. I've done most everything from sweeping and vacuuming and yard work to preschool childcare for many years. It's hard to believe now I was pretty good at that. Everything I did was inside the church and that's all good.

For the last ten or so years I have been singing in a small choir on Sunday nights. I do that for me. I am very selfish about this. I am never quite sure how much I contribute. But I do try to be a good morale guy. I really do not understand because in most other areas of my life to try to do that brings confusion and failure. But in the church choir I do contribute in that way. It's a specific gift from the Holy Spirit. If there has to be a reason it may be because I am so happy to be a part. But that does not explain it. It is supernatural.

About four years ago I got plugged in with a group starting up Alpha for prisons in Houston. I really recommend this to anyone and everyone. This one is not so selfish on my part. Well yes it is in a different way. There is a very selfish way in which my brain tells me I am fulfilling a specific recommendation given by James in the Bible. True spirituality is visiting those in the jails and in the hospitals. So I am sure this is something God wants us to do. I do not think I am strong enough emotionally to do this on my own. But I can join a group and do it. I hope I never have to try to do this on my own.

If you are at all in need of a ministry that pays you back in many ways you should think about prison ministry. You could get involved with what we do. Or you could contact Prison Fellowship and see how you can plug in with them. They had a whole prison out in Sugar Land so I know they must need people. There is something called Kairos that goes into prisons. I know a couple of people who do that but I know little of how it works except that they go maybe monthly and it involves a lot of cookies.

If you are like me and you have really never been too close to the poor of this world prison ministry can be eyeopening. I tend to judge what is different from me. But these men (and women if you go that way) are people loved by God. Their mindsets are just so different. And yet once you get to know them you can love them as God does. God gives you the ability. This does not mean you do not hate the sin. And you have to understand these people are going to have a hard time staying out once they are released. Habits are hard to break. Often it is very hard to find "good" friends and a living wage job.

But you get to join God in praying and hoping for them. You can help as much as you can. I think you have to understand to keep boundaries though.

I get as much as I get in doing the small bit I do in prisons. It is really better if a lot of people do a little bit rather than a few people trying to shoulder a whole lot. There is lots of frustration. There is temptation to get jaded and negative. So it helps to have others along side.

I suspect it helps the guards to see us come in, fresh faced, optimistic. A bit of our ministry is to the guards, to be friendly to share with them anything we get to share with the prisoners. After a while even I recognize the different guards though I do not know names I know faces. We smile in recognition. At least at the facility I am going to, which is a jail, not a prison, the guards seem very friendly, not surly or belligerent like they are often portrayed. A jail is for short-termers, a prison holds long term prisoners. I understand the atmosphere is quite different. But I haven't been in prisons enough to truly experience it.

There are other ways to help the poor. One can work at Open Door Mission or in a food pantry. A man I know works with a meals-on-wheels group. That is certainly another direct Biblical command, to help the poor. That may be more where your heart lies. If it is go for it. Stick your little toe in and see where it leads. I repeat it would be much better if a lot of people did a little bit than for a few people to do it all, acting more like professionals than amateurs. "Amateur" has as it's root the Greek word for love. Do it for love of the people, for love of God, giving back for what we have been freely given. Make it a part of your ministry.