In last week's ‘Factotum’, Col put a flea in our ears. Would you consider doing less work to help out with some ministry or other? This week, he examines some of the practicalities of wrestling with the question.

Now that that flea is buzzing around, already annoying the life out of you, you may have a few questions to ask—polite ones, of course:

“You are totally naive about economic realities.”

For many, unpaid ministry of this kind will always be economically impossible, and you must never be made to feel guilty about working hard in your job to be responsible to your family. For others, you just need the flea in the ear to think creatively about how to rearrange life a little. You are the ones who have more financial flexibility.

“How can I work less and still have enough to live on?”

I don't know. You might work for a family business that provides flexibility. Developing your own business might provide long-term possibilities. Some workplaces have increasingly flexible work arrangements driven by economic necessity. Some forms of shift work make time free for ministry. Some jobs—such as teaching, consultancy, selling, or client-based work—can be organized at your discretion—say, over four days. It's a matter of not being locked into the traditional 40-hour week model for the whole of life.

There are definite financial seasons in life, especially as children arrive and depart, job promotions come along and the superannuation is realized. It may be a matter of choosing the right season. Maybe by long-term planning, you can earn more now so that you can reduce your time in paid work later.

Some of you might be able to raise some financial backing from Christian friends to allow you to start a two-day-a-week ministry project.

“Has anyone ever done this?”

This is not a new idea. It has always been a part of our evangelical culture. Some brief case studies from recent times might help.

• One man I know has set up a computer programming company to fund his way through theological training.
• Another has a furniture business with low seasons, during which he takes a day a week to train others in evangelism. A solicitor with a large firm organized a four-day working week, and gives two days to his church, partly for his own training.
• A woman in Sydney's western suburbs teaches ESL classes at the local TAFE College to provide an income and make contact with students.
• A nurse found she could live on four days' work and evangelize through church contacts on the other days.

It can be done. It is being done.

“What could I do in one or two days a week?“

The opportunities are only limited by your inventiveness. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Am I a teacher?

You may have recognized these gifts in church life, school, while undertaking other education or at work. You can understand ideas and explain them to others so that they listen and understand. That means you are a teacher! And teaching is the essence of Christian ministry, for we are to communicate the gospel.

There are loads of teaching opportunities: small groups, one-to-one, evangelism, children, youth, schools and so forth.

2. Am I a leader?

Do I naturally lead or follow others? Again, you can discern this by looking at your various life situations. If you are a leader, should you set up and organize a ministry team to reach a particular group?

3. Am I a trainer?

Many secular jobs involve training others, and these skills can be applied to training Christians in life and ministry.

4. Am I an administrator??

Administrators play a key role in church life. They keep the show on the road, and free pastors and other staff from organizational matters so that they can be at the coalface, preaching, teaching, training, and so forth. Most churches would only need a two-days-a-week administrator, and probably can't afford to pay for one—at least in the early stages.

5. What groups in society can I especially reach?

If you are from a particular ethnic background, you have a special responsibility and opportunity to bring your ethnic group the gospel. You could develop a ministry to the local school community through parents, or evangelize people at work, or tell the gospel to members of your club.

6. How can I turn my problems into gospel opportunities?

In recent times, the non-Christian world has done this better than us. Think of the many organizations that have been set up for both sufferers and carers of different diseases and disabilities. We don't have to set up large scale organizations, but just gather together with those who share the same distress, love them, build friendships, provide practical help and share Christ.

“But I don't have any training.”

There are various ways to train for ministry. On-the job training with your pastor is a great way to get started. There are lots of training courses in basic ministries (check out Matthias Media's catalogue). Bible and theological colleges provide a range of external and evening courses on the Bible, theology and ministry. They also provide one and two-year full-time programmes.

And remember, the fundamental training for Christian ministry is in our knowledge of God through the Scriptures and in godly example to others.

“If I start more ministry, will it get out of control?”

I hope so! In some cases, it might represent the first step toward the other end of the ministry spectrum—into ‘full-time’ paid ministry. This is a good way to test whether you might undertake full-time ministry. If you have seen your ministry grow under God's hand, that is a good indication you can do the job with the gifts he has given.

“I would rather make a lot of money to pay for others in ministry”

This is a great vision, and many need to do this. If you are a wealth creator through running a business or exercising your profession, then make long-term plans to invest in gospel workers. Become a patron of gospel ministry.

We tend to teach only one side of wealth—the negative aspect of greed and idolatry. The positive side is the right use of wealth that comes from God in his generosity (Gal 6:6-10, 1 Tim 6:17-19). Maybe you should set up a business with the specific aim of funding gospel work. It will require a godly mind to stay focussed on the goal.

Sorry about the flea in the ear, but don't swat it just yet. May the grace of God goad us to increase our ministry.

Read the full article online.

Add Comment »