The title is purposefully ambiguous. It says two things. First, it is a complete sentence, with subject and verb. It says that ministry is important. That service makes a difference. That what we ministers do has significance and value. We need to hear such a message, because the world is not always certain that “ministry matters”, nor are we who ministers. Second, it could be a subject line which suggests that what will follow are various aspects (matters) of ministry. The intent of this article is more the first than the second.
We talked about grace yesterday. It made a difference. A sister who recently began attending church again after several years away asked that I pray for her son. A man that sometimes seems to wear an outer shell confided after our evening worship (theme: Grateful for Grace) that grace is what helped him get through the challenge of losing a daughter to cancer. At times it seems we ministers are talking and no one is listening. What we are called to do is minister the presence of God to the world we touch. Ministry matters because God matters.
Opportunities to serve are everywhere around us. This week I will spend some time in the office (it’s Monday, but Sunday is coming). I will work on the bulletin. I will also spend a few days in an office in Honduras. It’s not much different than my office at the church building (except it is not air conditioned!). I can pick up the phone and call the same people. I study and write and answer emails. Alongside the normal routines and rhythms of ministry, I will be available to answer a lot of questions, solve a few problems, provide some insight and wisdom (I hope), and make a difference in the training of preachers/ministers.
Ministers quit because hope fades. When I cannot see that what I am doing is making any difference, I am tempted to quit. But not today, not this week. Because ministry matters.