Sometime ago, I went to visit one of our members at his business location. When I stepped in, the atmosphere I saw, together with the people working with and for him, inspired me greatly. After blessing everyone and the business, I took him aside and said, “What you have here is beyond business. This is ministry.”
Friend, you need to see ministry beyond the pulpit (1 Timothy 4:12). Sadly, for a lot of people, once there is no pulpit, there is no ministry. Today’s Christians must be taught how to discharge ministry outside the four walls of the local church (Acts 1:8).
If church members see ministry beyond the pulpit, they will stop dragging the pulpit with their pastors on Sunday (Ephesians 4:11-12). The church is the place where believers are equipped to carry out ministry to the world. We need believers who take ministry to their workplaces, homes, schools, etc. (Acts 17:6, 17).
Every believer has the responsibility to make Jesus known everywhere (1 Peter 2:9). Preaching is just one method, not the only method. As a wise man once said, “Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” The way you live your life and carry out your career and business should reveal Jesus (Acts 18:1-4, 24-28). That is ministry.
If we limit ministry to the four walls of the local church, we will not reach the world that desperately needs Jesus (Mark 16:15-20). Some people may never enter our churches, but they should meet real Christians in their places of engagement. God wants to use us to establish His kingdom in our spheres (Revelation 11:15).
Your influence and affluence must be used to discharge ministry. Otherwise, it is a waste of divine investment (Matthew 5:13-16). What are you doing with the influence God has given you? Like Dorcas, who have you touched with the resources Heaven placed at your disposal (Acts 9:36-43)? You need to think ministry beyond the pulpit.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria