Personal ministries (churches, gospel, bible, baptism)

[Miss Blue]

Most Churches sponsor missionaries in foreign countries around the world so the gospel can be heard. This is wonderful work that the Lord IMO requires of us. Churches also have local ministries too that care, comfort and provide for,as well as teaching the "good news". Many people within their own congregation also minister to each other in the form of prayer, and comfort that may be needed for fellow members. Some christians/believers have personal ministry's, which I would like to discuss..

I have a personal ministry, my ministry does not include trying to make other good and loving christians/believers think the same way that I do, about what the bible says. My ministry includes the alcoholics, the dope addicted, the people who are hated, because they have little or no belief. Sometimes this ministry takes me to places that "good christians would never darken the door"..Jesus, Paul, Peter and all the desciples also went to these places. I don't carry a bible with me on these ministries or a pocketful of tracts. I don't need them. When an unbeliever is ready they will ask for the "solid food" of the bible about that God I believe in. I am in this forum, not to minister, but to be ministered to I come here for comfort, compassion and to renew my spirit with the fellowship of some wonderful christian/believers here. When I am renewed. I go out and about my own personal ministering, whereever the Lord wants me to go. Then I come back. I am truly blessed to know that I have also found that there are some others here who also share in this type of ministry that I do. God Bless you all....Blue

[kaykay]

Where do you go and what do you do, blue? Or do you just try to seek these people out while you are going about your daily personal business?

[Trebek]

Originally Posted by blue62

Most Churches sponsor missionaries in foreign countries around the world so the gospel can be heard. This is wonderful work that the Lord IMO requires of us. Churches also have local ministries too that care, comfort and provide for,as well as teaching the "good news". Many people within their own congregation also minister to each other in the form of prayer, and comfort that may be needed for fellow members. Some christians/believers have personal ministry's, which I would like to discuss..

I have a personal ministry, my ministry does not include trying to make other good and loving christians/believers think the same way that I do, about what the bible says. My ministry includes the alcoholics, the dope addicted, the people who are hated, because they have little or no belief. Sometimes this ministry takes me to places that "good christians would never darken the door"..Jesus, Paul, Peter and all the desciples also went to these places. I don't carry a bible with me on these ministries or a pocketful of tracts. I don't need them. When an unbeliever is ready they will ask for the "solid food" of the bible about that God I believe in. I am in this forum, not to minister, but to be ministered to I come here for comfort, compassion and to renew my spirit with the fellowship of some wonderful christian/believers here. When I am renewed. I go out and about my own personal ministering, whereever the Lord wants me to go. Then I come back. I am truly blessed to know that I have also found that there are some others here who also share in this type of ministry that I do. God Bless you all....Blue

Blue...that is so cool. I think you are a wonderful example of a model Christian.

[Miss Blue]

I have been known to approach a few people in shelters or that just seem to cross my path in one way or another. I really try to seek out what is good in people..Most of the people need a friend and someone to talk to first. Someone who will not judge them for who or what they are at this particular time in their life. Some of my good friends and a few family members do not believe, so I minister (not preach) eventually religion does come up and I tell very simple basic things about the Lord and let it go. I guess you can think of it as a child asking questions. You give them an honest answer that they understand and build from that. I have found that you can do your personal ministry just about anywhere

[FL_TN_Nana]

Oh, blue, what a wonderful ministry. I think there's a lot more validity in walking the walk than in talking the talk. No doubt those who look will see Christ in you.

May God bless you!

[Jazzedforhim]

A couple in our church helped a homeless couple at one point and brought them to church. The couple really needed some help and the original couple that helped them from our church lived a bit far to "be there" on a regular basis. My husband and I helped them. We got them into shelters and started the process for them to get their documents, drivers licenses etc. Another church member offered the man a job...and to make a very long story short they are both off the street today.

I think these people are often ignored, but they are often the most needy and thirsty. True, you may get burned...it takes a lot of discernment...but it's worth it! We have a CR (Celebrate Recovery) and every time we have a baptism...about half come out of that program...praise the Lord!

Blue, what you are doing is awesome! Keep on keeping on!

[Trebek]

CR (Celebrate Recovery) ??

Oh, never mind Jazz, I thought you were talking about "Celebate Recovery", not that I was interested personally.

[arguy1973]

Originally Posted by Jazzedforhim

A couple in our church helped a homeless couple at one point and brought them to church. The couple really needed some help and the original couple that helped them from our church lived a bit far to "be there" on a regular basis. My husband and I helped them. We got them into shelters and started the process for them to get their documents, drivers licenses etc. Another church member offered the man a job...and to make a very long story short they are both off the street today.

I think these people are often ignored, but they are often the most needy and thirsty. True, you may get burned...it takes a lot of discernment...but it's worth it! We have a CR (Celebrate Recovery) and every time we have a baptism...about half come out of that program...praise the Lord!

Blue, what you are doing is awesome! Keep on keeping on!

thats great! i agree with being careful about gettin burned...i could write a book..but...but however I think the good outweighs the bad.
I like the verse about the good shepard leaving the 99 to go after the one..that verse inspires me, because no matter what predicument a person finds themselves in, Jesus is there with his arms open.

[kawgpz550]

Originally Posted by blue62

Most Churches sponsor missionaries in foreign countries around the world so the gospel can be heard. This is wonderful work that the Lord IMO requires of us. Churches also have local ministries too that care, comfort and provide for,as well as teaching the "good news". Many people within their own congregation also minister to each other in the form of prayer, and comfort that may be needed for fellow members. Some christians/believers have personal ministry's, which I would like to discuss..

I have a personal ministry, my ministry does not include trying to make other good and loving christians/believers think the same way that I do, about what the bible says. My ministry includes the alcoholics, the dope addicted, the people who are hated, because they have little or no belief. Sometimes this ministry takes me to places that "good christians would never darken the door"..Jesus, Paul, Peter and all the desciples also went to these places. I don't carry a bible with me on these ministries or a pocketful of tracts. I don't need them. When an unbeliever is ready they will ask for the "solid food" of the bible about that God I believe in. I am in this forum, not to minister, but to be ministered to I come here for comfort, compassion and to renew my spirit with the fellowship of some wonderful christian/believers here. When I am renewed. I go out and about my own personal ministering, whereever the Lord wants me to go. Then I come back. I am truly blessed to know that I have also found that there are some others here who also share in this type of ministry that I do. God Bless you all....Blue

Great thread Blue! I feel the same way!
I love to come and fellowship with other believers, God knows I need it! While we can fellowship and be ministered to, we cannot really minister to believers...they already believe . It's the ones that are struggling, the homeless, addicts and such as you said...as well as ministering to non-believers. And I do find a HUGE difference, yet a fine line, between ministering and preaching. In ministering, we simply just try to walk the walk and let Jesus shine through us. In preaching, too many times, others become offended and pushed away.
I think the biggest "tool" in ministering is effectively being able to analyze people. You have to get inside the person in order to "know" them and try to figure out which type of ministry would be effective with him/her. The same type of ministry isn't going to work for everyone!
I'll be praying for your ministry Blue!

[kawgpz550]

Originally Posted by arguy1973

thats great! i agree with being careful about gettin burned...i could write a book..but...but however I think the good outweighs the bad.
I like the verse about the good shepard leaving the 99 to go after the one..that verse inspires me, because no matter what predicument a person finds themselves in, Jesus is there with his arms open.

I agree arguy, we should try to not leave anyone behind...However, sometimes it is necessary to leave the one behind if that one happens to be detrimental in your walk. But, you must do your best so that you don't have those feelings, wondering if there was more you could have done.