Do you feel your ministry is too small?
No matter how big and influential or how specific and unique your ministry is, it’s all equal in importance from God’s perspective.
There’s this idea that developed during the Reformation called “the priesthood of the believer” which declared that all believers are considered as priests.
In 1 Peter chapter 2 it states:
Verse 5: And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.
Verse 9: But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
The Book of Hebrews goes in a lot of detail explaining why all believers are considered to be priests based on Christ being the High Priest for us all. If you want a good commentary on this concept, you can check out what Dr. Art Lindsley has to say here. Also, look at what Dr Elmer Towns has to say here.
Who has special status?
We might be tempted to think that being a priest brings with it such special status and only special people can obtain that status. This idea was certainly true in the Old Testament where there were lots of rules and regulations about the roles and duties of a priest. Even now, we may elevate the status of a pastor or priest thinking they have more direct access to God or are especially holy more than mere common folk.
True, our pastors and priests should be treated with love and respect. However, in light of every believer possessing a priestly ministry, your ministry is equally important to God as any pastor or priest from Franklin Graham to Pope Francis.
Your Ministry Matters
We might be tempted to think that the ministry we do is so small and insignificant, that it’s not really all that important. But the truth is your ministry is just as important to God, no matter how individual and specific and even unseen, as the pastor of a large church or well known ministry.
In quantity, your ministry may reach a few people or just one special person. Your ministry may or may not be noticed by a lot of people or talked about a whole lot or get lots of social media attention.
In quality, however, your ministry matters as much to God as anyone else who ministers to hundreds or thousands. Why is that?
Why does the ministry to the few make as much Kingdom impact as the ministry to the many?
Now, I haven’t read this in any commentaries, but this is just my good ol’ common sense. Any ministry is of equal importance to God when that ministry brings glory to God. It’s the glorification of God that gives a ministry impact. It’s the glorification of God that determines its effectiveness. When God is glorified, then a ministry has fulfilled its purpose. If you minister to one person and God is glorified, then your priestly ministry is equal, qualitatively, to a person who leads a world wide ministry which also brings glory to God.
Amazing, right?
From that skyscraper point of view, all ministry is equal in God’s eyes!
Here’s where I want to encourage you:
Every kind act, every children’s Sunday School lesson, every prayer with a friend, every sermon spoken from the pulpit, every book or blog written…all of it is important to God.
God sees every act of ministry on His behalf.
Every single time you act with love and mercy, you are performing your duties as a priest.
Every time you do the thing you are made to do, God is glorified. The purpose of all ministry and the measurement of success of that ministry is God’s Glory!
So, I want to personally invite you to an amazing event that will help have more joy and more impact in your ministry!
Join me for the Women is Small Churches Conference
I’m speaking at the Women in Small Churches Conference hosted by the Creative Little Church happening October 16-17. I’ll be talking about Ministry Planning 101 and Worship: Creative Ideas and Solutions, and you’re invited! Get all the details and grab your free ticket with my affiliate link here!
~Amy