Alpha and Omega

A questions I am often asked is "What exactly do you do as a lay minister?" Because I was already serving on several committees at church (and still do), my role as a staff lay minister and as a church team member seems a little blurred from time to time, even for me. This might sound odd, but the main difference is how I feel about ministry and how I perceive myself as a minister. That perception becomes very important as I talk with people and listen to what is going on in their lives. As a team member or a committee member, once a meeting is over, I typically lay the materials aside until I need to work on them. Ministry is more difficult to lay aside. Part of the reason is the joy of the work.

This last Sunday, I was privileged to assist in the baptism of a precious little girl. I didn't do much, but being just a little part of that family's big day was absolutely incredible. That afternoon, I preached over at a local nursing home. I have been doing that for a while, and have come to really know and love those folks. My friend Tom brings the music. He is wonderfully talented and dedicates those talents to God. We pretty much sang all of the old songs suitable to Lent and Easter. For the most part, the residents pick the songs and Tom knows how to play most all of the music on his guitar. We are short on hymnals over there, so I shared a hymnal with one of the residents. I don't have a great singing voice, but something about sharing a book and singing together really filled us with an unexpected joy. The Spirit was working mightily in us and as we prayed with the residents after the service, I could tell that each of them had been touched. I certainly was.

The baptism of that little girl and the joy of my friend as we sang together at the nursing home struck me as something beautiful and holy. Something that witnessed the completeness of God in our lives, beginning to end. Something that cannot be and should not be laid aside. Of course, not all of the work I do as a lay minister is as compelling. There are reports to prepare, meetings to attend and generally, my effort to take some of the day to day pressure off of our clergy. But, as I perceive myself as a minister, I am in that relational role with people, sensing their needs, praying with them and for them and counseling as I feel comfortable and qualified. I tell you this; lay ministry is so much more than I expected because of how my self image has changed. It is not so much what I do as a lay minister as it is who I have become. I praise God for that sanctifying work in my life.

Joy!

Bill