Plan Your Ministry 4

Romans 15:23-25

Working at the daily newspaper in Hamilton was a stressful job because of its very strict deadlines for when work needed to be completed. One morning one of the editor’s did not show up for work. We had no idea where he was or why he wasn’t at work, but the job had to get done so we all pitched in and divided his duties among us. When he finally showed up about three hours late the manager asked where he had been.

“The police knew where I was,” was his only response.

For teams to function well, for ministry to work, we often need to communicate with one another.

We may have a passion for certain ministries and we may love being involved in those ministries, but we should never lose sight of the fact that we are not alone. In his letter to the believers in Rome what information does Paul share with them? What is he hoping for? What must he do now?

There is no evidence that Paul ever made it to Spain and most scholars agree that he went to Rome only because he was a prisoner of the empire. But when this letter was written Paul had plans. His current work was finished. He had to go to Jerusalem. And after that he wanted to go to Rome and then Spain.

He told the church in Rome that he wanted to visit, but also that he wanted them to help him in his work. In this obscure and somewhat uninspiring passage we see Paul working out his plans. But we also see Paul being inclusive.

In this passage he has stopped with his teaching on spiritual matters and is including the believers in his ministry by letting them know what he is doing. He also invites them to be part of his work.

As we examine our ministries and as we make plans for our ministries we need to recall that we are not alone in our work. As we make plans for ministry we must invite others to be part of that ministry. And an essential part of successful teamwork is the sharing of information. As you enter into a ministry with others be certain to share the work and keep everyone involved in the loop of knowledge.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Who needs to be invited into ministry?