Two Weddings and a Funeral…

If you’ve been in ministry very long, you know that job isn’t done when the last child is picked up, the toys put away, and the whiteboards wiped clean.  In fact, some of the most important ministry takes place after the lights are turned out.  This was one of those weeks for me.  In the last seven days I've attended two weddings and a funeral.  I've seen incredible happiness, and deep sadness.  In a couple of weeks, I’ll share the blessings of the weddings.  Today, I’d like to share the ministry lessons I learned during the sorrow of the memorial service.  Perhaps God will encourage you as He did me.

If you’ve been in ministry very long, you know that job isn’t done when the last child is picked up, the toys put away, and the whiteboards wiped clean.  In fact, some of the most important ministry takes place after the lights are turned out.  This was one of those weeks for me.  In the last seven days I've attended two weddings and a funeral.  I've seen incredible happiness, and deep sadness.  In a couple of weeks, I’ll share the blessings of the weddings.  Today, I’d like to share the ministry lessons I learned during the sorrow of the memorial service.  Perhaps God will encourage you as He did me.

Kathy went to be with the Lord on July 25th.  Her memorial service, though there was plenty of sorrow and grief, was a time of reflecting on God's goodness in her life.  Her husband of 30 years, Jim, demonstrated grace far beyond anything I think I have ever seen.  They had ministered together all those year.  I've had the privilege of observing them in ministry, doing ministry together, and had a few breakfasts at Village Inn for planning and fellowship.  I've seen great ministry from Jim and Kathy, but what I saw last Saturday painted a picture of truly ministering to others.

Kathy asked a young lady to read some journal entries at the service.  Jim and Kathy had been part of her life since she was a young girl, many years.  As she approached the end of the reading, her grief overwhelmed her.  Her tears would not allow her to finish.  Ever the servant, Jim, who himself needed comfort, got up from his seat, walked up to the podium, and put his arm around his friend.  His encouragement and love gave her the strength to finish.

Here are the lessons I learned from Jim and Kathy.

1.    Meaningful ministry is about faithfulness and self-sacrifice.

2.    Meaningful ministry is about people.  Programs are the tool, people are the ministry.

3.    Meaningful ministry is about what takes place between church services or ministry meetings.

4.    Meaningful ministry is about emotionally investing in people, even when it hurts.

God bless you as you do meaningful ministry this week.