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Topic: Keeping Christ in your Ministry!

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Karl Bastian

Joined: 20 October 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 3226

Posted: 11 December 2008 at 3:58pm \| IP Logged

This thread is for discussion of the article I published this month (Dec 2008) titled Keeping Christ in Your Ministry.

Here is the introduction:

There is a danger in ministry that is easy to miss. During the Christmas season, we often hear the phrase, "keeping Christ in Christmas," or reminders that He is the "reason for the season." But these sentiments have as much to do with our ministry all year long as they do with the celebration of Christmas. While it is certainly disappointing how little of Jesus we see in our culture's celebration of Christmas, and frustrating to see our Savior being systematically squeezed out more and more every year, there is something far more gradual and eternally dangerous than seeing Christ steadily removed from Christmas. And it is happening every month of the year. It is the slow and unintentional removal of Christ from ministry – or at least the removal of a vibrant relationship with Jesus in the midst of Christ-centered ministry.

I have no doubt that children's ministry leaders and volunteers will keep "Christ in Christmas" during this
season. I am more concerned about whether we will keep a relationship with Jesus at the center of our life and ministry. Christmas serves as a perfect object lesson on this topic because Christ slips away from our ministries the same way He slips out of Christmas....

What is some advice you'd give others on how to keep your walk with Christ front and center in the midst of ministry? Or share any other lessons/tips you've learned over the years. One thing I've learned, we need each other, and we need gut level honesty to survive and thrive in ministry.

Glen Woods
CP Team
CP Team

Joined: 12 November 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 957

Posted: 12 December 2008 at 11:57pm \| IP Logged

Here are some initial thoughts: When stressed, don't isolate. Rather, communicate. Allow others to speak into your life and simply be there for you. God has a way of using us to encourage each other and remind each other of his presence in our midst.

__________________
Glen Woods
www.glenwoods.wordpress.com
Break camp and advance....