Ministry is not confined to the church. It happens right where you live and work. A retired seminary professor shares this story:
Years ago I met an Episcopal bishop who told me he once visited the office of an insurance executive who invited him to look at some personal files to see what his work was like. When he saw how this executive had handled the case of a high school dropout, helping her continue in school and eventually achieve a significant position, he said, "This is Christian ministry." The executive replied, "I thought my ministry was being a church council member where for fifteen years I have tried without success to get the janitor on social security." With tears in his eyes he said, "Bishop, nobody ever told me what I do here at work is ministry." I told the bishop, "You had the authority to ordain him on the spot!" He laughed and replied, "'Pastorizing the laity' is not where it's at, but helping people discover their daily work is their ministry. That's where the Spirit's gifts empower us."
Dear God, you make the common holy. Help me in whatever I do this day and wherever I go to be your servant, your minister, whatever that task might be. Amen.
Loren Halvorson
Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology, Church & Society
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
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