Church and Marriage (Part 3 of 4): Doing Ministry

As we think about doing Ministry in the same church together, we have to remember God's order for the church. Jesus is the head of His church. The man follows Christ and the woman follows the man. This is biblical order. So when we speak about Ministry, we have to remember that it is for everyone in the body of Christ. We also believe that the gender roles in the church are outlined in the word of God. Women should prayerfully consider their ministry options with their husbands.

Since before we were married, we decided that we wanted to do ministry together. It was a challenge to find a church that actually had  opportunities for us to do what we feel that God had called us to do. We knew God for ourselves, had been baptized and had heard from the Lord regarding what we should do and we were looking for a church that aligned with that direction for our marriage which is our first Ministry.

It is important to have your own house in order before attempting to minister to other people and their homes. 

We would  do things such as making sure that our house was clean before we left for couples Bible study. We would make sure that if we were inviting someone over that we had spent enough time with our children. We did not attend missellaneous church events if it was a date night for us.

Some churches are flexible and understand the importance of making your marriage a priority. However we do know friends and family members that have served in churches that demand an exorbitant amount of time in comparison to their family investment.  As the word of God says you need to truly weigh your options and decide if what you are doing is truly worth the cost. Everyone should sit down and make that decision.

Ask yourself these three questions:

Number one,  is this ministry activity something that God has actually called me to do? We are all ministers and have a Great Commission, but will your gifts and talents be used for this ministry or is this something you are doing because you were asked and feel as though you cannot say "No"?  Obviously, knowing your skill sets and spiritual gifts is important as you make decisions regarding ministry activity. ( 1 Corinthians 12:1-31)

Secondly,  have you mutually consented with your spouse? It is important to be on one accord in church ministry because it will affect your marriage and family life. Is this something that will disrupt your routine if so, how?  Discuss your time, talent and treasure with your spouse. Will this require funds such as gas and travel time? Is this something that will take too much time away from your family or rearrange your whole schedule? ( Luke 14:28-30)

Last but not ever least,  have you covered this ministry opportunity in prayer?  Our habit as a couple is to seek God first and foremost ourselves to decide if it is even something that we should discuss as a couple. There have been times when our decisions have been made mutually, but sometimes it never reaches the ear of our spouse  because God clearly gives a yes or no answer. ( Luke 18:11, Ephesians 6:18)

Look at Abraham and Sarah. (Genesis 21:1-12) They knew that God had promised them a ministry opportunity in the form of parenthood. However  unbelievable it was, it was a sure promise. Instead of prayerfully seeking the Lord for clarity, Sarah takes it upon herself to rush the promise (because that is what we do sometimes). Ishmael was born and caused great trouble for the family.  Later on, Isaac, the promised parenting opportunity arrives, and they discover as a couple that they had taken a ministry misstep.

Following these three biblical steps instead is a sure-fire way to seek God in everything and also to keep your first Ministry FIRST!