I refer to myself as a ministry developer. It seems to be common lingo among those “in the industry” of connecting ministry resources and ministry needs, within the framework of engaging people to live into their baptismal covenant to do God’s work, with God’s help. But it also seems to be a misnomer in many respects; I am not developing ministries but instead am companioning and teaching people to be better ministers of God and Christ.
The fact that I wear so many “hats” in that regard sometimes astounds me. When am I a teacher, as opposed to a shepherd, or a companion, or an encourager, or even a safety net as I coax others to take some risks and even “try on” something new? The tasks and roles bleed into the next, but not in the sense of a bowl of cake batter but more like a rainbow of roles. Each role is distinct and yet it isn’t at the same time.
Ministry development is much like the rainbow’s arc of colors, where the red blends to become orange, the orange becomes yellow, etc. There is no clear point where one color becomes the next and no longer is the same. Much like a rainbow, ministry development also can be most beautiful to behold, as one sees the results of people taking on new or expanded ministries or even just feeling more confident in their own ministries.
Much like a rainbow, the task of ministry developer also is difficult to “capture,” whether figuratively or literally. Just as we cannot reach the point of the rainbow or find the legendary pot of gold at either end, the roles and tasks of a ministry developer just keep expanding out of reach. We cannot fully describe the roles to others, and there is no one definition that is true for all ministry developers.
Similarly, there is no end to the ministries that can develop or the persons who may be guided to live into their callings as ministers. There always is room for growth, learning, and new experiences. Thus, unlike a rainbow, there really are pots of gold to behold and they appear along the way as we journey together toward the rainbow. The pots of gold just keep appearing, often when least expected. Much work is invested by the people involved (as well as the ministry developer), and the pay off may be small or large.
We may find the pot of gold where it is least expected. It may just appear when one feels the most defeated in the work, but it will appear and appear again, and perhaps appear once again, twofold and then threefold.
The most difficult part is patience, I guess. My own and that of others. Yes. Perhaps that is what a ministry developer really is—someone who helps instill patience and continued energy into God’s ministers and ministries, and does not abandon them along the way. I am much like a parent guiding a young child on a bicycle with training wheels. One day, the minister is balancing all on his or her own and does not even notice that I no longer am holding on but standing behind, smiling one giant grin.
Now that is ministry development!
Theresa
