Be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 in this series. We have been addressing the springtime of our season in life and newness to serving. Today I want to address the springtime of starting a new ministry.
It can be both exciting and frightening at the same time when God leads you to begin a new ministry (or a new aspect of your current ministry). As you pray and plan, think about how you will not only begin, but also grow this ministry. What is healthy grows, so we want to build a healthy ministry.
If this is a church ministry, talk to leaders and staff at your church. Share your idea with them, ask for their input, and decide if this new area of ministry fits the overall purpose and mission of your church. Ask them to pray with you about this vision God has given you.
Decide who you are trying to reach and serve in this ministry. Do you really understand who they are and how to reach them? If not, talk to a variety of people you are seeking to reach. Get to know them and their needs so you can make sure you hit your target.
Now think through what it will take to begin and continue in this ministry. Do you have the resources—financial, time, and people resources? If not, pray for God to show you how to accomplish His will and ask Him to provide what you believe is needed.
Part of growing the ministry includes praying people into the positions God has for them. Once they are where God leads, then you must equip, train, and provide resources so they can be successful. Prepare for the time you will no longer be there to lead so the ministry continues on.
Make sure you pray every step of the way in the beginning and throughout the life of this ministry. If it doesn’t work in some way, tweak it, talk to others, and try again, until the Lord releases you from this particular area of serving.
If you have planted this ministry in good soil and it begins to grow, you will begin to see effectiveness in the lives of those it touches. Matthew 24:32 says: “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.”
We will look at the summer of ministry in the next article in this series.
For more on this topic, feel free to get a copy of Dr. Jeff Iorg’s book that has inspired this series, Seasons of a Leader’s Life.
Chris Adams is senior lead women’s ministry specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. Learn more about Chris here.
