Ministry Is Relationships
January 27, 2008
I started an “Adult Sunday School” today…how funny does that sound!? Ridiculous to me, but then again I don’t have too “churchy” of a background (eventually I’ll get to those stories).
The class obviously is called “Ministry is Relationships.” Over the next 6 weeks, we’re going to explore how ministry without relationships is not ministry.
No Ministry=No relationships
Know Ministry=Know relationships
We’ll be exploring how to deal with “messy” relationships, how to listen well, and other related topics. My plan is to blog after each session. Also, if anyone wants to come with me–you’re more than welcome! 9am Sunday mornings 
Today we began by delving into all of the messages the “world” sends, the effect of close relationships, of doing life with people, and about trust.
Specifically, the importance of gaining trust and authenticity were stressed.
We also watched a heart breaking video of a teenager in a youth group that insisted they did a good job at inviting new comers…needless to say the teenager walked around for a painfully long time and not a soul said anything to him or even acknowledged his presence and during group prayer time he was alone…
My heart breaks over this. I know the feeling. I’m sure a lot of you can relate to a time when you just felt “left out, alone, lonely, invisible, unwanted, awkward, unsure, uninvited, ect.” I’m naturally a quiet person, which makes it hard to strike up a conversation with strangers, but this was a HUGE reminder of the importance of welcoming others and having an open and inviting circle talking.
There’s more than enough to think about for one post. I’m sure there will be more to come on these subjects in the coming days or for sure by next Sunday.
Entry Filed under: community, life, ministry is relationships, relationships. Tags: adult sunday school, alone, authenticity, awkward, churchy, doing life together, greeting, heart breaking, hurt, invisible, inviting, left out, listening, love, messy relationships, ministry is relationships, pain, prayer, quiet, rejection, relationships, the world, trust, uninvited, unwanted, welcoming.
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