Sisters and Brothers,

I greet you, my partners in Christ’s ministry which has been handed to the church.

The MCCA observes the month of October as Ministries Month. Our focus is on the whole ministry that Jesus passed on to us declaring, ”as the Father has sent me, so I send you”.

St. Paul, in his writings, makes it clear that ministry is for the whole people of God. In Ephesians 4 he writes “I beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” And then he states: “Each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gifts”.

Clearly then, each one, every one of us is called to fulfil a specific ministry – service to God. What our specific area must be, is something we should constantly pray about so that God’s Spirit can indicate what we must do, where we must spend our energies in building God’s kingdom. Sometimes, our inner passion- the things that constantly call our attention as needing improvement, are clues. Sometimes our gifts and talents, the things we do well and sense God’s nearness while we purse them, can be clues too. Sometimes, the successes we experience while helping others grow in faith, are indicators of the work that we can do for Christ. It is true that others can often detect our strengths and can prompt us towards exploring with our leaders in the Christian faith, and with God, what our service might look like.

Some of us have answered the call to be Preachers, Stewards, Church School Teachers, and Ushers in the Circuit. All of us are called to pray and among us, some fulfil a ministry of constant intercession that goes on behind the scenes. Some of us will be as effective as Andrew was, bringing new persons to Jesus. Operation Andrew, then, needs our energies.

And there is also the call to be full-time ministers, either presbyters or deacons in Christ’s church. There are, indeed, many services to be done. Let us live in constant dialogue with our Lord that we may discover and fulfil our calling in God’s sight.

May the Lord richly bless you as you seek to pursue your calling according to God’s will.

Yours in God’s service,

Joan Delsol Meade, Pastor.