Comments on: Your Life is Your Ministry

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:57:46 +0000

Larry,
So good to hear from you! I like what you said here– “Interuptions to our work are our work.” Well said! Thanks so much. I hope you are doing well.

By: Larry Wishard

Larry Wishard — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:58:29 +0000

So all these bumper stickers are true.
Be the change you seek.
We don’t care how much you know until we know how much you care.
Interuptions to our work are our work.
I can’t hear what you say because I’m seeing what you do.

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:32:17 +0000

Thanks Greg. I hope you had a great Christmas.Hope you are doing well.

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:29:18 +0000

Jill,What a wonderful comment! I am very glad to hear about your life and ministry. Sounds like you have a powerful ministry both in the church and at the university.Sorry to hear about your bout with melanoma. I was encouraged as I read that you used even that time to be salt and light before others.Again–a wonderful comment!

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:21:44 +0000

Rahab,Thank you for your comment. You made some very, very good points. In particular, I want to thank you for your report regarding this lawyer’s presentation at Willow Creek. Very encouraging.

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:41:09 +0000

Linked to you again, Jim. Your topic is pivotal and yet often only noticeable to those on the "outside". Why is it that those who are more in touch with the non-churchy folk are sometimes suspect to those who are "really doing ministry"?I am a discipler serving in a church setting as well as being a part-time chaplain at a secular university and having a women’s refuge in my home. The non-churchies at the uni don’t give a bean about what I do with the church, but they see credibility in my life because I give a leg-up to women who are in transition or rehab. Recently a run in with malignant melanoma gave me opportunities to talk about mortality with the good folks at the uni. How I responded to the unknowns of the diagnosis was far more important than my seminary degree or theological stance on anything. It’s what New Zealanders call, "the coal face", the nitty gritty reality of life everyday. They watch me, everyday, to see if I understand the realities they face. Then they’ll listen, but only if my vocab fits their context. I love the Church, but the salt and light need not be focussed there.Thanks, Jim, for validating the ministries of so many effective Kingdom servants who draw their salary from non-church sources.

By: I Am A Demonstration… My Life Is My Ministry « One Passion One Devotion

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:33:48 +0000

[...] Your Life Is Your Ministry is a post at the wonderful blog The God Hungry which i read frequently! [...]

By: Gallagher

Gallagher — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:59:32 +0000

I see a great sermon in these thoughts!

By: Greg England

Greg England — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:03:03 +0000

I’ve not read all the comments, so I hope I’m not repeating something already stated, but a huge difference I think this would make would be to move the focus from institutional maintenance to personal ministry. Now that I’ve stepped out of the pulpit and been to numerous churches in search of a church family where we can be used in ministry, I’ve noticed so much energy expended just to maintain systems and make sure people know why we believe what we believe and why we do what we do. I suppose there is a place for that, but I’m really not seeing it these days.Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season, Jim. Thanks for all you’ve done through this blog to challenge and encourage me. I love and appreciate you, brother!

By: Rahab Klingensmith

Rahab Klingensmith — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:31:00 +0000

This is a quite interesting post…and, I do find a similarity of expressional thoughts when it comes to richness of authority in a church , OR "the unfortunate have nones". A febble life observed rather…..Matthew 23:27-28 My writings on this subject many times before it seems; this type of poor ethical behavior only creates a grave insecurity before fellow parishioners–causing severity of doubts , and disengagements and withdrawlments from others. If there is indeed such a tremendous gap between "the reality of a pastors true life; his childrens involvements-and the wifes". Yipes. Perhaps this church might assume a responsibility too proper Christian continual education…… before casting anymore doubts , and ferocious critisiums continual on others. This is incrediably unfortunate, but, is so often seen in huge undesirable forms to say the least. This sort of hinderance suggests a great damper relationally on the "Truly gifted with their own Ministries" often entailed . Sad, but true. I do believe individually we are our own ministry-Our lives–each one–God creates for a purpose-called His. Whether frownd upon by some insignificant leaders-sometimes they almost seem too want to hide the gifted-like a closet case; rather than in a light to help and encourage others perhaps dying from the inside out….sad. As for Lawyers!….I recently heard at Willow Creeks Community Church, an incrediable speaker -unbelievably brilliant with a testimony of "Why" he works/lives to protect the oppressed-the abused-trafficted child without a choice, living a life of fear. An amazing ministry he has ….. an amazing leader he is! Impressed I was for His work beyond wonder…great disciple -a lawyer, go figure for God this man is! Wow! Blew my socks off!!!!! Again!