We all have a ministry.
Many people think of ministry as “fivefold” ministry (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher) or a church-specific ministry (such as music ministry, women’s ministry, children’s ministry, youth ministry, missionary ministry, etc.). Ministry extends beyond the walls of the church and the umbrella of church sponsored activities.
Your ministry is actually walking in the purpose for which God created you. Your ministry is not your gift. It’s the use of your gifts for the purpose for which you were created. God has created you with many gifts, some stronger than others, but all relevant to your ministry.
Your ministry can be tied to both your passion and your pain. I like to say, “Your misery is your ministry.” Others may say, “Your test is your testimony,” or “Your passion is your purpose.” Your ministry will always involve helping others. God uses your trials and experiences, your misery and tests, to help others through your ministry.
Once you discover your purpose, your ministry will seem implausible, unbelievable, unobtainable, and impossible to achieve. This is a good thing, because you will know that it requires God to accomplish. God desires faith and reliance on Him. With Him, all things are possible.
Some people discover their purpose early in life, and begin walking in their ministry at a young age. Others pursue other interests or paths, and they one day realize something is missing or there is a greater purpose for their lives. Others receive their callings or uncover their purpose early, but they can take years to implement their ministry. Implementing your ministry requires both your willingness and God’s timing.
I received my calling to become a Christian Counselor in 1998, 11 years ago. For me, it began as a desire to discover my spiritual gifts. I prayed about my gifts, and God told me that “People” was my gift. I knew that “People” was not an actual gift, so I prayed more about my specific gifts. I received in my spirit that my primary gift is “Exhortation”, which is the gift of encouraging others. This was no surprise to me, as I was always the “go to” person for my friends, encouraging them and giving them advice.
The more I prayed, the more I discovered about my gifts and calling. God told me that my purpose involved relationships, “dead” relationships specifically. This made complete sense to me, as I had experienced the pain of the complete death of a relationship. (“Your misery is your ministry.”) I also had a passion for reading books on relationships. (“Your passion is your purpose.”)
At the time of my calling, God also instructed me to get my Master’s and Ph.D. in Christian Counseling – I was in the middle of working on my Master of Science in Information Systems degree at the time. I was a little puzzled, but God wanted me to complete that first Master’s degree before pursuing the next. I did not question this. I knew it was all a part of God’s plan for me. It would all come together for my ministry….eventually.
As I continued to pray, God showed me the “what”, but not the “how”. He showed me that my ministry would involve writing, teaching, and speaking, like Joyce Meyer, but for relationships. Wow. This, the “what”, did not overwhelm me, because this is what I prayed for. This is what I pursued – my calling, my purpose, my ministry. The “how” is what wowed and amazed. How in the world was I going to become this huge conference speaker? With God’s guidance and God’s help. Remember, God’s wants us to pursue the “what” and trust Him for the “how”. And the “how” is a process, which He uncovers step-by-step in His timing.
I am still in the process of refining my ministry. I received my Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy in 2007 (in a Christian Counseling program). I will begin a PhD. program in a few years. I am writing and accepting speaking invitations. God is preparing me to walk fully in my ministry, and He continues to uncover the “how” as I seek Him and pursue purpose daily.
If you are grappling with what your ministry is, examine your passions, explore your gifts, process your pain, and think about how they all tie together to help others. Pray and confirm that this is your “what”. Then, seek and trust God for the “how”, and walk boldly in your purpose!
Jacinta M. Gray,
Many people think of ministry as “fivefold” ministry (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher) or a church-specific ministry (such as music ministry, women’s ministry, children’s ministry, youth ministry, missionary ministry, etc.). Ministry extends beyond the walls of the church and the umbrella of church sponsored activities.
Your ministry is actually walking in the purpose for which God created you. Your ministry is not your gift. It’s the use of your gifts for the purpose for which you were created. God has created you with many gifts, some stronger than others, but all relevant to your ministry.
Your ministry can be tied to both your passion and your pain. I like to say, “Your misery is your ministry.” Others may say, “Your test is your testimony,” or “Your passion is your purpose.” Your ministry will always involve helping others. God uses your trials and experiences, your misery and tests, to help others through your ministry.
Once you discover your purpose, your ministry will seem implausible, unbelievable, unobtainable, and impossible to achieve. This is a good thing, because you will know that it requires God to accomplish. God desires faith and reliance on Him. With Him, all things are possible.
Some people discover their purpose early in life, and begin walking in their ministry at a young age. Others pursue other interests or paths, and they one day realize something is missing or there is a greater purpose for their lives. Others receive their callings or uncover their purpose early, but they can take years to implement their ministry. Implementing your ministry requires both your willingness and God’s timing.
I received my calling to become a Christian Counselor in 1998, 11 years ago. For me, it began as a desire to discover my spiritual gifts. I prayed about my gifts, and God told me that “People” was my gift. I knew that “People” was not an actual gift, so I prayed more about my specific gifts. I received in my spirit that my primary gift is “Exhortation”, which is the gift of encouraging others. This was no surprise to me, as I was always the “go to” person for my friends, encouraging them and giving them advice.
The more I prayed, the more I discovered about my gifts and calling. God told me that my purpose involved relationships, “dead” relationships specifically. This made complete sense to me, as I had experienced the pain of the complete death of a relationship. (“Your misery is your ministry.”) I also had a passion for reading books on relationships. (“Your passion is your purpose.”)
At the time of my calling, God also instructed me to get my Master’s and Ph.D. in Christian Counseling – I was in the middle of working on my Master of Science in Information Systems degree at the time. I was a little puzzled, but God wanted me to complete that first Master’s degree before pursuing the next. I did not question this. I knew it was all a part of God’s plan for me. It would all come together for my ministry….eventually.
As I continued to pray, God showed me the “what”, but not the “how”. He showed me that my ministry would involve writing, teaching, and speaking, like Joyce Meyer, but for relationships. Wow. This, the “what”, did not overwhelm me, because this is what I prayed for. This is what I pursued – my calling, my purpose, my ministry. The “how” is what wowed and amazed. How in the world was I going to become this huge conference speaker? With God’s guidance and God’s help. Remember, God’s wants us to pursue the “what” and trust Him for the “how”. And the “how” is a process, which He uncovers step-by-step in His timing.
I am still in the process of refining my ministry. I received my Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy in 2007 (in a Christian Counseling program). I will begin a PhD. program in a few years. I am writing and accepting speaking invitations. God is preparing me to walk fully in my ministry, and He continues to uncover the “how” as I seek Him and pursue purpose daily.
If you are grappling with what your ministry is, examine your passions, explore your gifts, process your pain, and think about how they all tie together to help others. Pray and confirm that this is your “what”. Then, seek and trust God for the “how”, and walk boldly in your purpose!
Jacinta M. Gray,
The Couch Coach
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