Are you in the ministry?

I was recently at an event where there happened to be an unusual amount of pastors.  I am often around one or two in normal church settings, but this social event happened to have half a dozen or so.  I don't really know.  I didn't actually count.  The even was the wedding of one of my very best life long friends.  She and her husband both work for the Georgia Baptist Convention. 

As I was talking to a lady whom I had just met, she asked me, "Are you in the ministry also?" 

What does that even mean?  I was caught off guard.  I think for most people that means a paid position in a church or religious organization.  Is that the only type of ministry?  I've been pondering this question for several days.  I am a full time teacher in a public school.  Does that mean that I'm not in the ministry?  I have several roles at church, all volunteer.  Does that mean I am in the ministry or am I just a volunteer? 

I want to take my roles seriously.  I want to use my gifts and talents to please God whether I get paid or not.  In Matthew 25, the master trusts a job to three servants while he goes out of town.  It doesn't matter if one gets 10, 5 or just 1.  They all three had a job to do.  They were still trusted by the master to do the job. 

So maybe by normal definitions I am not "in" the ministry.  However, I am part of a ministry with each role that I have as I seek to do it the best that I can to the glory of God the Father. 

New Year's Resolutions

According to Reader’s Digest, here are the top 15 resolutions:

1.       Get in shape

2.       Lose weight

3.       Enjoy life to the fullest

4.       Spend less, save more

5.       Spend more time with friends and family

6.       Get organized

7.       Learn something new

8.       Travel more

9.       Break your smart phone addiction

10.   Eat at home more

11.   Drink less

12.   Stop smoking

13.   Reduce stress

14.   Get more sleep

15.   Floss regularly

Sadly, many of these are also on Time’s list of popular broken resolutions.

I’m happy to say that I’ve already nailed some of these.  This past month, we worked on #10.  We still ate out a few times, but nearly as much as we did at the beginning of the school year.  I’ve also been working on #13 for the past two years.  I switched campuses in my school district and took a new position.  Although my new job brings its own challenges, it is less stressful than other teaching positions that I’ve held.  #2 happened when I wasn’t looking last year.  That is the best way for it to happen.  I was so busy running around that I didn’t notice that I lost ten pounds.  I’m also working on #8 by taking my girls places.  My husband can’t always go with us, so I just take the girls and go.  Last summer we went to a state park that was about seven hours away.  This Christmas break, we are making a very quick trip out of state for a friend’s wedding.  Just crossing state lines is a big deal to us.  #11 and #12 are not an issue.

I have a few resolutions that I would like to work on.  They are not all on the list above. 

1.       Read more – fiction, non-fiction, blogs, Bible, just more!

2.       Spend – time with people, less money

3.       Get in shape – strength and endurance

Having a plan certainly helps with not breaking the resolutions. 

1.       Read more – I have a bean bag in my closet which is next to a book shelf.  Every night when I get out of the shower, I sit and read while my hair dries for a little bit.  Sometimes when my kids can’t find me, I’m hiding in my closet reading.  It sounds a little crazy, but I love my new space. 

2.       Spend – One very specific goal that my husband and I have is to be better about tithing.  I rarely carry a checkbook, but our church now has online giving available.  No excuses.  When the plate is passed, I get out my phone and log in to the church website.  Done.  Last year, I regretted not spending time with several people.  I don’t want regrets, so this next year I will not let those opportunities pass by. 

3.       Get in shape – Every day I have the chance to take my students on a walk.  I work at a discipline campus where kids sit in one spot for hours on end, but physical activity helps the brain to function better.  Therefore, I need to take them outside to stretch.  A quick lap around a practice football field does amazing things for academics and attitude.  It is great for me physically and for my relationship with the kids.  If I take small groups around lunch time, then they get to stretch and I get to exercise. 

No plan is perfect.  If I break a resolution, I can just pick it back up and start again.  I don’t have to wait until January.