Ministry, Part 1

Ray and I were bemoaning to one another that in these days, people don't call up others and say, "How are you?" We aren't involved enough in other people's lives. Sure, as a pastor we are ministering to others, but what about people who don't get paid to "minister." What is it in our society that causes this?

1. Lazy - Let's face it, it's easier to watch TV every night than to walk to your neighbor's house and ask how they're doing. It's easier to cook for your family without ever considering how to make the meal stretch and bring others in to your home.
2. Don't care - This seems really sad to me. As Christians, shouldn't we care about the needs of others? What about the Good Samaritan story? Are we so pious and cold that we don't even care?
3. Afraid of of rejection - Being afraid of someone shutting the door in my face is real. I want people to like me.
4. Prejudice - Do we think that we might get "dirty" by helping someone "beneath" us? It may be uncomfortable to explain to our children about situations that others live in.
5. Money - If we give someone money and they go buy drugs and alcohol, isn't that irresponsible with our resources? Besides I don't even have any extra money to give away.
6. Don't notice - This is my biggest problem. I am so busy and caught up with my own world that I don't even notice when someone is down and hurting.

How can we change how we minister? More to come on this ....