It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics of it all. Sometimes I could define working for a ministry as being a logistics master. I don’t know about you but that sounds gross. Even as an organized detail-oriented personality. I don’t want it to be that way, but it definitely has its moments and it’s surely part of working in ministry.
Recently Next Step has been seeking extra housing for weeks that may be too large for our host church, FUMC. We want to welcome and accommodate as many as possible, while at the same time being sensitive to the space we share while living here in Colorado Springs for the summers. There is more than enough need than we can handle in town, and with more groups we can help out more organizations and homeowners. It’s also a great way to get different churches involved in what is going on. Another logistic we have been working out here in Colorado Springs is showering for our trip participants- a practical and important detail.
On the other side, I met with a few homeowners recently that are going through some tough times. I often if not firstly ask what their community looks like. They each seemed to not know their neighbors too well or aren’t involved within any church community among town. For some, their closest family lives hours away. I sometimes ask what if their neighbor happens to be a handyman (or woman) and could help with some repairs on their homes that they need, and all they needed to do was simply ask.
One homeowner has no insulation within her modular home. The day I visited her was among our first cold here in the Springs. I even felt the need for a jacket and knew this was not nearly as cold as what we will see. I asked the homeowner what she does in the winter when we see our coldest days? She simply replied that she wears more blankets.
Both of these contrasts, I think, are all part of caring for people. If it’s logistics and you’re wondering how this is caring for a person, or it’s an actual meeting with a person and hearing their story, they both go hand in hand in order to finally reach people. I think about how Jesus organized and had disciples. He had His reasons for that. He would sometimes ask his many disciples to go out in pairs to pave the way and seek peace from town to town, home to home. With Jesus’ planning and gathering of disciples, he used to reach more lives.
I think it’s easy to get caught up in the logistics, the planning, details, supplies, facilities, coordination, gathering. But I am so thankful for the people I get to meet amongst all of it that keep me grounded and remind me of what’s going on in the community. That even in a city with 450,000+ residents you still can feel lonely. Yet God has a plan to meet these homeowners and for them to hear the Good News.
Ministry: the action of ministering to someone or the work or vocation of a minister of religion.. – Google Dictionary
Logistics: the detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies. – Google Dictionary
