Monday, October 5, 2020

Reflection - Spiritual Habits - Having a Ministry Mindset

Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART II: SPIRITUAL HABITS, Chapter 16, "Having a Ministry Mindset", Question 1, Page 108.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


What does having a ministry mindset mean for you?
PHOTO: What does having a ministry mindset mean for you?
God's Word tells us to love our neighbours (Matthew 22:39; Leviticus 19:18). The right question to ask is not, "Who is my neighbour?" but "What kind of neighbour am I to those around me?"

What make us a good neighbour to others is our willingness to minister on any occasion, planned and unplanned, and the ability to show mercy and kindness.


How will it affect your life at home and every time you step outside?
We carry with us, even as we travelled, a kind of first-aid kit, ready to be of service at any time. Be a person who had a ministry mindset.


What are some factors that make people forget about being good neighbours to others?
The senior years cannot be just a matter of relaxing and reminiscing. It must be about continuing to serve by "conforming our lives to the self-giving pattern of Jesus". You may ask, "What can an ageing person like me do in terms of ministry?" You may no longer be in an official position in church, but one does not need to be in some formal leadership or ministry role in order to be a ministering neighbour to others. They are many ways a senior citizen can be involved in some kind of ministry.

Whether we have a ministry mindset depends on how we see ourselves. We are children of God and His servants. The aim of life is not to consume or be entertained, but to love and serve. If we remember this, we will see that life is full of opportunities to show mercy and minister to others.

Picture posted by 水居@idiyla, The world is beautiful@beautiful_imgs on 26 July 2013 at 6:31 pm - ドルドーニュ(Dordogne) - フランス (France)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNI6f6GNf_qhIi_7A_MjKBRqD-WCSZZqXAEiDmAiJvsSE4id0Sh996FLk3JHaIXMyjXHrybdH9kTnJSR6T7_mgMu8iG2xtC9X3hx18n9DvbGocOzbBcTwmcUxCLhafqALaApg2oURkj54/s674/BQF-8e0CYAAp1Kv.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQF-8e0CYAAp1Kv?format=jpg&name=small
https://twisave.com/idiylam/favorites/2013/7/p:6



Many years ago, I was on a Singapore Airlines flight with my wife when an announcement came over the public address system: "Is there a doctor on the flight? We need your help." At that point, I had already stopped practising medicine and my skills were a bit rusty, though I was still registered as a doctor. I hesitated, but when I realised that no one had responded, I spoke to the crew and offered to help. A fellow passenger was feeling sick, and I treated her until she got better. For my efforts, I received a small gift from the airline.


When I realised that no one had responded, I spoke to the crew and offered to help.
PHOTO: When I realised that no one had responded, I spoke to the crew and offered to help. A fellow passenger was feeling sick, and I treated her until she got better. For my efforts, I received a small gift from the airline.
Picture posted by Dominicans Interactive on 05 September 2015 - Love your neighbour as yourself

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9k-0G3FIe0NwNgCtn82jgJvEGseiUD-N1FMr4agOl6Ahb8mT5edUtBC3pO-yR7YnyAffbXwgpAvpdKowRf0SS9ygk90tOZVASbzBW50dKnBSVxKJbwxkc1auKOw6irSBSaAmXmX_z-Q/s620/love-your-neighbour-as-yourself_1.png
https://i1.wp.com/dominicansinteractive.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/love-your-neighbour-as-yourself.png
https://dominicans.ie/love-your-neighbour-as-yourself/



We never know when we will be needed to help someone or provide some kind of ministry. In the story of the Good Samaritan, a wounded man was lying on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho (Luke 10:25-37). A priest and Levite (professional religious workers) were travelling on the same road, saw the man, but passed him by. We are not sure why they did so. Were they in a hurry? Were they afraid that the man who appeared to be a victim was simply a decoy for a group of robbers?


We never know when we will be needed to help someone or provide some kind of ministry.
PHOTO: We never know when we will be needed to help someone or provide some kind of ministry. In the story of the Good Samaritan, a wounded man was lying on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho (Luke 10:25-37).  A priest and Levite (professional religious workers) were travelling on the same road, saw the man, but passed him by.
Picture posted by ovejoypeaceforall on 11 January 2010

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLV5zx6y8_GcxqMI_nJrnGXAIszr_TMM-uoiNX587tD6CzMzJzMJ9c-40PKBysTeXzyXJzSPaNoJMkEKUXXBKkvmBixg7rXTHcyvNmViA6ACL6xlnlKKOyLGX_iaQpKvVldYcsdHb2HMI/s480/Wounded_man.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/objVveZlpUs/hqdefault.jpg - (Wounded_man.jpg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=objVveZlpUs



Whatever the case may be, we would expect people connected with religious work to be ready to help victims on the road. But they did not. Perhaps they felt that they had already done their fair share of ministry - in the temple - and were now off-duty. They were like taxi-drivers switching on the "Not For Hire" sign at the end of a long shift. We might also note that they were busy with public ministry (at the temple), but when it came to private ministry they were unwilling to lend a helping hand.


We would expect people connected with religious work to be ready to help victims on the road.
PHOTO: We would expect people connected with religious work to be ready to help victims on the road. But they did not. Perhaps they felt that they had already done their fair share of ministry - in the temple - and were now off-duty. We might also note that they were busy with public ministry (at the temple), but when it came to private ministry they were unwilling to lend a helping hand.
Painting by William Etty (1787-1849) - The Good Samaritan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopJa6zNj0LLZWe-dXMuaJCFh6ULpA0OsCv7-mFhy8ViozMNjTzFPe7yIuzlRUDCRNYH1-5VTfqaw300ZABJMsnH4_RMjcKIDl0-T6-10EQjXkgB4xtMZzwNRfn5v4XVmyEi4P4FIYtWc/s1200/William_Etty_%25281787-1849%2529_-_The_Good_Samaritan_-_515512_-_National_Trust.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/William_Etty_%281787-1849%29_-_The_Good_Samaritan_-_515512_-_National_Trust.jpg
https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficheiro:William_Etty_(1787-1849)_-_The_Good_Samaritan_-_515512_-_National_Trust.jpg



However a Samaritan, who belonged to a despised race, saw the victim and took pity on him. He stopped and administered first aid. He bandaged the man's wounds and used oil and wine, considered to have medicinal effects in his time. In other words, he was carrying with him, even as he travelled, a kind of first-aid kit, ready to be of service at any time. He was a man who had a ministry mindset. This was further proven in the way he carried the victim to an inn and "took care of him" (Luke 10:34).


A Samaritan, who belonged to a despised race, saw the victim and took pity on him.
PHOTO: A Samaritan, who belonged to a despised race, saw the victim and took pity on him. He stopped and administered first aid. He bandaged the man's wounds and used oil and wine, considered to have medicinal effects in his time. The Samaritan was carrying with him, even as he travelled, a kind of first-aid kit, ready to be of service at any time. He was a man who had a ministry mindset.
Picture saved by Victoria Radionova to Artists - Leon Bonnat and his students

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_bwQdinckiO1HdejdlFukiRqH8dP1skeFVaOamcYMV_hlhajP1UQ9EKYbsL6NK1t3YiyHGcScqLfLtpOWT-eVhU9M2evR234CALb0IgGvpxCOuUGoLhF1ygmgn7CqJkvEkU99YGrwKo/s821/8766004d5082317095e42266707ea84b.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/87/66/00/8766004d5082317095e42266707ea84b.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/529032287450313657/



This was further proven in the way he carried the victim to an inn and 'took care of him' (Luke 10:34).
PHOTO: This was further proven in the way he carried the victim to an inn and "took care of him" (Luke 10:34).
Painting by Aimé-Nicolas Morot - The Good Samaritan
Picture posted by Nancy, 1850 - Dinard, 1913

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6KkqlOiuKgxqxIZoIgetqXZnFtYHF3JZdZiM98VlNe8N43FAvFKHpz0vj2TLConAZ4NbNb966U9h0BgcUndWeP-xxf6xZWHDljMC1Pn2w7LZfBfRhU-CtUWUzICrQ7kPfDZov09tjjQ/s2048/morot.jpg
https://www.petitpalais.paris.fr/sites/default/files/morot.jpg
https://www.petitpalais.paris.fr/en/oeuvre/good-samaritan



At the end of His story, Jesus asked, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" (Luke 10:36). The law expert, whose question "And who is my neighbour?" (Luke 10:29) had prompted Jesus to tell the story, replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37). The expert did not even want to mention the word "Samaritan" (such was his deep prejudice against them), but he gave the right answer.


At the end of His story, Jesus asked, 'Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?' (Luke 10:36).
PHOTO: At the end of His story, Jesus asked, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" (Luke 10:36). The law expert replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37).
Picture posted by Peter Pilt on 06 May 2012
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3AhNF2iWItQbcsLfEFULML4W0zw33D4xcuubt3ilQWit1j_bMfIXIB5KRjshr1B8S0vjCgynljySTykcuBfMVR3lme3WGO-Z97rqwj_Qf0ubXh0wZHwJw2ti6BYq6ESgPEY2pC7ZFoM/s2048/ArtBook__044_044__TheGoodSamaritan____1.png
https://i1.wp.com/broadcast.lds.org/GospelArtBook/images/ArtBook__044_044__TheGoodSamaritan____.jpg
https://peterpilt.org/2012/05/06/8-powerful-lists-of-things-from-the-compelling-story-of-the-good-samaritan/



Jesus had turned the legal expert's question around.


What does having a ministry mindset mean for you? How will it affect your life at home and every time you step outside? What are some factors that make people forget about being good neighbours to others?

What does having a ministry mindset mean for you? [1]
God's Word tells us to love our neighbours (Matthew 22:39; Leviticus 19:18). The right question to ask is not, "Who is my neighbour?" but "What kind of neighbour am I to those around me?"

What make us a good neighbour to others is our willingness to minister on any occasion, planned and unplanned, and the ability to show mercy and kindness.


God's Word tells us to love our neighbours (Matthew 22:39; Leviticus 19:18).
PHOTO: God's Word tells us to love our neighbours (Matthew 22:39; Leviticus 19:18). The right question to ask is not, "Who is my neighbour?" but "What kind of neighbour am I to those around me?"

Whenever you do anything, especially ministry, put yourself in Jesus's mindset. Have your thoughts come from the perspective of what would Jesus think?
Picture posted by picuki.com - Jhona David

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https://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/e35/84650865_484266005598128_7786445482801791381_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=108&_nc_ohc=jNDM28E7CnMAX8On5qq&_nc_tp=18&oh=c27b5846e04930a170beca4eefae5e95&oe=5FA2E865
https://www.picuki.com/media/2247518280032281634



How will it affect your life at home and every time you step outside? [1]
We carry with us, even as we travelled, a kind of first-aid kit, ready to be of service at any time. Be a person who had a ministry mindset.


We carry with us, even as we travelled, a kind of first-aid kit, ready to be of service at any time.
PHOTO: We carry with us, even as we travelled, a kind of first-aid kit, ready to be of service at any time. Be a person who had a ministry mindset.
Picture posted by 1of9 -🧬-@_1of9_ on 06 November 2018

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLDF1567w8aZEu5vuxvMRj08fQH8xGnWfsYavCi9IiXeAkadXWMX4SjGqdII4zXa9ZFMpvVFvGNMoSOblQz7D-PvcF4KGwvT8RmNOqW6Awc37_PZcxr9cOAYGNoEpvFmFvU6uduv8wJw/s941/DrUwGLWX4AAz_YE.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DrUwGLWX4AAz_YE.jpg
https://twitter.com/hashtag/denkart3000



What are some factors that make people forget about being good neighbours to others? [1]
The senior years cannot be just a matter of relaxing and reminiscing. It must be about continuing to serve by "conforming our lives to the self-giving pattern of Jesus". [59] You may ask, "What can an ageing person like me do in terms of ministry?" You may no longer be in an official position in church, but one does not need to be in some formal leadership or ministry role in order to be a ministering neighbour to others. They are many ways a senior citizen can be involved in some kind of ministry.


The senior years cannot be just a matter of relaxing and reminiscing.
PHOTO: The senior years cannot be just a matter of relaxing and reminiscing. It must be about continuing to serve by "conforming our lives to the self-giving pattern of Jesus". We may no longer be in an official position in church, but one does not need to be in some formal leadership or ministry role in order to be a ministering neighbour to others.
Picture posted by Chris Webb, Benedictine Anglican priest, - Becoming Like Jesus: Virtuous Life

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO_iKf3EuWA5QbtQBBaPf9gx_qeNHvBQM2-LUvEUwTR7PIxYn2VKJ_WY6s6UohTXnIxFZyTMtMLV4NK_VroPbkfGJsSVG_uQl1wguRd9VixUR2FWynldqQQrd2JYp1I-wIVGL4eJBtBA/s2048/jesus-washing-feet-etching.jpg
https://renovare.imgix.net/articles/jesus-washing-feet-etching.jpg
https://renovare.org/articles/becoming-like-jesus-virtuous-life



Whether we have a ministry mindset depends on how we see ourselves. We are children of God and His servants. The aim of life is not to consume or be entertained, but to love and serve. If we remember this, we will see that life is full of opportunities to show mercy and minister to others.


Whether we have a ministry mindset depends on how we see ourselves.
PHOTO: Whether we have a ministry mindset depends on how we see ourselves. We are children of God and His servants. The aim of life is not to consume or be entertained, but to love and serve. If we remember this, we will see that life is full of opportunities to show mercy and minister to others.
Picture posted by Sandra Rude on Monday, 28 November 2009 at 3:46 pm

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZEvKSvCDOxOMIq7FQ4c5d1dU2dDnfa8dXBgZSh2i7XWi8ESgwH-JMZkrVdhettKLC-W9Vf0HKWukJw9RjH5HQyhC-75zGWcS5jrPVFPf0WavCpiSGkCNErJhYhxxwtcH5BAG506H0mE/s995/Angels3_11.png
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBpi3o92pDNEbJLoC5j55B5-cT_C25unbLw4MLvkF0M5OIXrkTPiz8bKJqTP8u7H-ccOeMrzIt5irBaD9G0IYi48O7gO2XCFR__FBUhg-PDrSJ423Pvh7gUR_soYIO9zUGmfeddhTeQs/s1600/Angels3.jpg
http://sandrarude.blogspot.com/2009/11/our-lady-of-angels.html



Dear Lord
Dear Lord
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, help us to be a good neighbour to others by obeying God’s Word, which tells us to love our neighbours. This is the meaning of having a ministry mindset for us. Help us to learn that the right question to ask is not, ‘Who is my neighbour?’ but ‘What kind of neighbour am I to those around me?’

Help us to be willing to minister on any occasion, planned and unplanned, and the ability to show mercy and kindness. May we remember to carry with us, even as we travelled, a kind of first-aid kit, ready to be of service at any time, enabling us to be a person who had a ministry mindset.

Let our senior years not be just a matter of relaxing and reminiscing. Help us to continue to serve by ‘conforming our lives to the self-giving pattern of Jesus’. Make us realise that although we may no longer be in an official position in church, one does not need to be in some formal leadership or ministry role in order to be a ministering neighbour to others. They are many ways a senior citizen can be involved in some kind of ministry.

May we know that whether we have a ministry mindset depends on how we see ourselves. Help us to realise that we are children of God and His servants, and our aim of life is not to consume or be entertained, but to love and serve. Then we will see that life is full of opportunities to show mercy and minister to others.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
"
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Reflection - Spiritual Habits - Having a Ministry Mindset
Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART II: SPIRITUAL HABITS, Chapter 16, "Having a Ministry Mindset", Question 1, Page 108.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
 





Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, ©
2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020

https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 


Reference
[1] From "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, Copyright © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-14-1836-5, PART II: SPIRITUAL HABITS, Chapter 16, "Having a Ministry Mindset", Page 103-107.

[59] Richard B. Hays and Judith C. Hays, "The Christian Practice of Growing Old: The Witness of Scripture", in Hauerwas et al., eds., Growing Old in Christ, 13.


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