The Tent: A safe place for shepherds to reflect together
View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
jmccabe1
Joined: 04 Apr 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Charlottesville, VA
|
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:11 am Post subject: Great visual aid |
|
|
I often get lost in abstract ideas about ministry. I want to care for students (I'm a campus minister), so my heart and mind give attention to these guys and look for opportunities to help them live in line with the gospel (Gal. 2:14), but when I begin thinking about it, it's often difficult for me to picture the reality of this care. To give an example, when I prepare to meet with a student, I try to pray for God's leading and any particular ways to serve this beloved individual. While that is a worthy prayer, I have been looking for a more concrete picture of what God is doing when I sit and talk with a student. What is this interaction doing? How is God working in this conversation and relationship for His glory? While I don't think the "staff" is the only image that could bring some clarity to these interactions, it is a wonderful way for me to visually prepare. I have the opportunity to simply "be in touch" with the "staff" of words and listening. I can "reach over the gap" that seems to separate a student from the Christian community or God Himself and gently "stay in touch" during times of depression or despair - even giving a "pull" back in the direction over the gap. It also was helpful to read that shepherds cannot be individually involved with every person or situation (97), but the "staff" at a church or ministry extends beyond the individual shepherd to reach more people in need. _________________ Jay McCabe |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|