Do you know what message your ministry is communicating to others?
Does it accurately represent you?
Your thoughts?
Your beliefs?
Do your students reflect this message?
Do they communicate it with what they say and do?
What we communicate through our ministry says a lot about the kind/s of people that are going to find their way into it.
As I continue to be a student of God's Word, it seems to me that the welcome mat into community with God was extended to ALL - in some way, shape or form - and this, I believe, should inform our ministry.
His call to love our neighbor as ourselves is said to be 'just like' the call to love Him with ALL of our heart, mind, soul and strength. No where does He exclude anyone/s - based on anything - we only read of people excluding themselves based on the choices they make, or are unwilling to make.
As you think about your ministry context, do you extend the welcome mat to:
- the cool kids
- the book worms
- athletes
- artists
- non-traditional students
- LGBT students
- a racially diverse crowd
- a denominationally diverse crowd
- non-believers
- former believers
- casual believers
- believers of other world religions
- drinkers
- smokers
- druggies
- gamblers
- sexually active students
- liars
- cheaters
- know-it-all's
- etc, etc, etc.
We on get one chance to make a first impression.I am taking a good, long look at our ministry... and all of the different kinds of students that make up the BU sub-culture... and wherever our message of 'welcome' seems conflicting I hope to bring about necessary change.
How about you?
What message does your ministry communicate? Are there changes that are needed?
Are there groups you intentionally target? Avoid? Why?
Might God want to broaden your ministry? Are you willing to go there?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!
Grace and peace.
