  In the Fall of 2011, I was just over two years into our life and ministry in Orlando and I was struggling. We had moved to Orlando to plant a church and God had made it clear that our dream of what our ministry would be was not His. I had also grown up in the church and was suffering from a very narrow view of what ministry was. I didn't have a strong support system and I had just survived one of the hardest years of my life. And I read a lot. And listened to sermons a lot. That sounds innocent enough. But having come from a legalistic faith tradition that didn't hold an accurate view of the Gospel, every preacher I heard or blogger I read made me feel more guilt and shame about what I wasn't doing to serve God. Then I read an article that changed my life and I realized two things. First, I had spent too much time trying to work for God and not enough time being with God. Second, I realized that I shouldn't be trying to do ministry exactly like everyone else. God had made and gifted me in specific ways and those were the areas where I should seek to serve Him. Here are the three practical things I implemented that have impacted how I live to this day: God has called you a "missionary." Act like one: The Bible is clear in Matthew 28 that we are all missionaries. Sharing our faith is not reserved for those in full-time ministry or living overseas but is a command to all who follow Christ. For me calling myself a "missionary to Downtown Orlando" completely changed my perspective and how I lived my day-to-day life. Discover your third place. Chances are you already have one: A third place is "an informal public gathering place." Perhaps you go to the same coffee shop regularly. Maybe there's a local lounge or café you frequent. Wherever you spend most of your time outside of home and work is your third place. God has planted you in this specific place for the purpose of bringing others to Himself through you. Do what you love with intention: One of my passions and gifting lies in hospitality and sharing meals others. Perhaps you like to run or create art. Perhaps you have small children or really enjoy gardening. Maybe you love craft coffee roasting. You don't need to add something new to your ever growing list. You simply need to do what you're already doing with intention. Use your passions to connect with others who share the same interest on a deeper level. These three simple things radically changed my perspective. They helped me to be more intentional with those I encountered in my daily life and they also freed me from trying to do ministry just like someone else. What are your practical tips for living missionally and sharing your faith? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.  About Joy Joy is a missionary to Downtown Orlando with her husband, Jason, and drool covered Bassett Hound, Sam. She has a degree in Church Leadership and formerly helped manage the Church Planting office of Converge Worldwide. She teaches women how to intersect their faith and life through intentional missional living at joybrudolph.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
Sharing this over at these awesome blogs
26 Comments
Yes! This is so true. The urgency we feel to "win the lost" often develops anxiety in others instead of the peace and hope we want to offer. I am like you in listening to sermons and reading books, etc. All good stuff, but I found I was "driven" instead of "led". I've relaxed a lot(!) and now it's just as easy to talk about cars, clothes and make up as it is to talk about Jesus...conversationally. The key for me was to be able to learn from others in their areas of passion. People light up when they see interest. Another big thing for me was to ask for help. Seriously, it has opened so many doors for ministry. Whether dealing with a flat tire, a very weedy yard or just encouragement, it opened the floodgates for others to ask me for help at other times...going through divorce, prayer for healing, and counsel in choosing a mate. Real life...and low pressure. <3 I'm eager to hear other practical tips from your readers too! 8/28/2014 12:11:54 am
Thank you, Kris. I love the picture of being "driven" vs. "led." It is incredibly freeing. Thanks for the good tips on passion and asking for help. Those things seem to be effective in most all contexts here in the States. 8/27/2014 04:39:53 pm
I'm right next to you at Jennifer's this week. Your post is full of helpful wisdom! 9/1/2014 10:30:29 am
You're very welcome, Jean. We all need a place to form relationships with non-believers o their terms. 9/1/2014 09:25:39 am
I am with you on this. In fact, the sentiment here echoes the writing I've been doing all day regarding the Christian and platform. Ultimately, it is all about the gospel, about the place we have in sharing it and how we can all #makemuchofHim. For me, living missionally means continually talking to God and making room to hear from Him. We have gone from seasons of intense serving busyness to seasons where sharing our faith was more quietly and in smaller moments. When we stop listening, learning and growing we miss the things God has for us. 9/1/2014 10:33:25 am
Jolene, yes we always need to be aware of God's nudges in relationship and toward Gospel intentionality. I think my "third place" is here. Online, that is. Encouraging people who write their hearts and have the bravery to push the publish button. I'm not sure I'd really defined it as a ministry, but your post has shifted my thinking on it. Thank you! Thank you for linking at Unforced Rhythms. 9/3/2014 12:22:52 am
Beth, that's a neat perspective. I'm wondering if you interact with and share your faith with lost people through your online ministry? That's a good clarifying questions for missional living. 9/4/2014 12:16:27 am
Felissa, I'm sorry I didn't see this until after the link-up closed. Thank you for the invitation. 9/3/2014 12:25:00 am
Stasia, I would encourage you to look at your life and see where God has already planted you and ask Him where He wants you to be. 9/3/2014 07:00:24 am
I'm really intrigued by the "third place" thing. Being a writer, I spend a lot of time at home. Being an introvert, I also spend a lot of time at home. I'll have to think about this some more and see where my third place is! 9/4/2014 12:14:11 am
Jen, I an introvert and a writer too. I also work from home so I feel you. I do try to work outside the home (a coffee shop, etc.) at least once a week so maybe that's a good option for you. We typically visit our third place at night so that's a little different than what might work for others. 9/3/2014 11:56:38 am
I think you made 2 very good points here. First, we need to be careful not to compare ourselves to one another; and secondly, we need to be intentional about sitting at His feet. As a result, our witness seems to flow naturally. Thanks for the post! I'm visiting from 3-D Lessons for Life. 9/4/2014 12:17:47 am
Yes, Heather, sharing our faith should flow naturally from our relationship with God into our relationship with others. I'm glad you picked up on that. 9/4/2014 12:20:03 am
Thank you, Marie. I would ask you to consider where you're already going (ie. grocery store, coffee shop, salon, etc.) and who you already know. Then ask God to help you intentionally form relationships in those places. 9/4/2014 04:40:54 am
Awesome thoughts! I struggled with this for a long time too and it took a while for God to move us to where He wanted and for me to be ready for it. Like you said, our ministries should be ours and by basing them off what other people are doing, we miss the point of being created with specific gifts. My husband and I became foster parents- not a typical thing to do!- but it is what He prepared us for to make a difference for Him. I love your idea of a third place too. I want to get to a place where Jesus just oozed out of me no matter where I am :) Thanks so much for sharing! 9/4/2014 10:19:18 am
What a special ministry you have as foster parents. Those kids have a special place in my heart and I'm so glad you are loving and serving them.
Gwizzie
9/14/2014 02:46:05 pm
I like these ideas but I think my second place would be the grocery store or Costco but I'm not there enough to make deep relationships. 9/14/2014 11:00:34 pm
Gwizzie, Leave a Reply. |
New here? Head on over to the Home page to see what we're all about.
Two Free eBooks for Subscribers
Join 12,000+ others an enter your email for your FREE copies.
Subscribe
|
