It was fun to share time getting to know some of the newer attenders at Community of Joy on Sunday and helping them get to know the unique church that we are.
It occurred to me as we were talking that I should re-emphasize for all of us, how ministries get started at CoJ.
Not a lot of hoops here, and no water for the fire... just gasoline. You see, I believe that as a pastor, it is my job to empower people to live out of their gifts and callings... we are all ministers when we say yes to Jesus... I am a pastor, but all who have said yes to Jesus are ministers.
At CoJ, to start a ministry a couple of simple things must take place. First, the ministry can't violate our vision or core-values (see our webpage for those). Second, you must get a couple of other people who will join you in the venture as a team(I can't think of a leader in the bible that acted on their own... Moses had Aaron, Paul had many co-horts, Jesus sent the disciples out in twos). Third, be able to raise the necessary funds at least of the first year... then we can talk about if it becomes a core ministry, adding it to the budget (however, doing so, deflates commitment to the ministry somewhat at lease further removes it). Fourth, be willing to evaluate the ministry periodically and adjust or let go of it. And you see, it's just that easy.
Someone asked, "well, doesn't that create an opportunity for things to run amuck?" I guess it may, but I like the way Gamialiel puts it in Acts... If God is in it, I can't stop it, and if God is not in it, it will fail. (my translation of his words in Acts 5:38-39).
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