May, 1998 - Vol. XXVII No. 1
Baptismal Ministry: Discussion-Programs-Processes

"Tried and True Ways to Avoid Discerning Your Gifts for Ministry"
by The Rev. Dcn. Helen Richard

Talk about "Total Ministry" and "Ministry of All Baptized" has engendered much uneasiness among those reluctant to change, and among those comfortable with "how things have always been." So, for those who do not wish to discover new gifts for ministry, here are surefire ways to see that you don’t.

• Avoid at all costs the notion that all baptized members are called to serve.
• Remember that you are paying the Priest to be the leader in your Parish and expect him/her to lead in all areas. Make no decisions on your own, and be very careful not to offer suggestions for improvement – these could easily result in being asked to take a leadership role.
• Be on the alert for mistakes made and things done less than perfectly by the clergy and by other parishioners. Thank your lucky stars that you didn’t offer to do them.
• Concentrate on your failures and shortcomings. Success builds confidence and encourages trying new things – avoid it at all costs!
• Be very careful about leadership training and development – you might discover you are one.
• Don’t talk about how God works in your life and your faith community with friends, neighbours, or associates – you might get enthused by what you are saying.
• Avoid counting all your blessings – gratitude is a powerful motivator to ministry.
• Above all, don’t pray about it. Be too busy, too tired, too scattered to pray. Put off prayer until a later time … another day. Conversation with our Source, listening for the nudge of the Holy Spirit, repenting our reluctance in communion with God and Jesus Christ will show us the ministry of our baptized selves.

(Note to the literal minded: This article was meant to be taken seriously but not literally. The truth is in the opposite of most statements).

Helen serves as deacon at St. Martin’s, Lebanon. She says she was prompted
to write this by an article in the Congregational Builder titled
"Guaranteed ways to SWEEP Growth Under the Rug!"

© 2001, Diocese of Oregon
updated 05/03/2003 16:22
contact: kylew@diocese-oregon.org