As some of you know, earlier this year I got an auctioneer's license. Last night I was able to put that to good use. One of the churches in the area I serve, Hope FBC, was having a dessert auction to raise money to help build a swimming pool at the youth camp many of our churches use each summer. When the pastor found out I had an auctioneer's license he asked me to do the auction. Although they've done these in the past they had never had an auctioneer call bids and thought it would be fun for everyone if that happened. Of course, I agreed. After a wonderful meal the auction started. An hour later we had raised $1,473.00 for the pool and had a lot of fun doing it.
Ministry takes many different looks. Some have questioned why I wanted to be an auctioneer especially at this stage of my life. I explain that I see it as a way to expand my ministry. People who suddenly find themselves with an estate they don't know how to dispose of can be served by an auctioneer who can help them during a difficult time in their lives. Others who realize that they've accumulated a lot of stuff they really don't need and don't want to have a yard sale every weekend for the next two years to get rid of it can be helped by an auctioneer. There is a lot of talk these days about becoming more missional in ministry, and I see this as one way I can do that. It takes ministry outside the church and into the lives of people who need assistance and gives me an opportunity to engage in conversation with people whose lives may be in turmoil and who may not know Christ.
Anyone's vocation or avocation can be used for ministry. A Christian who enjoys fishing could gather a group of people together once or twice a month to discuss fishing tactics, swap big fish stories, and talk about life in general which would include the importance of Christ in his or her life. A business person could start a leadership group in the community that could meet for lunch and a discussion about the challenges of business. Such a discussion could lead to one sharing how faith in God can help in challenging times. The possibilities are endless.
Bivocational ministers have an automatic advantage here as they are already in secular work in a variety of fields. In fact, one could argue that their presence at that work changes it from secular work to ministry. Please listen to one warning here. Remember, your employer is not paying you to minister on the job. I have known some bivocational ministers who could not understand why their employer didn't want them spending all their time passing out tracts and evangelizing their co-workers. That employer is paying you to produce for him or her. But, you will find numerous opportunities to share your faith in regular conversations you have with those with whom you work and how you conduct yourself on the job also gives your faith credibility.
Our primary mission field is in the communities in which we live. We need to look for the opportunities that exist all around us to minister to the needs of the people we encounter, and in doing that we will make a difference in people's lives and earn the right to tell them about Jesus.
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