Finding Your Passion for Ministry

Have you discovered your "G.O.P."? I'm not talking about the Republicans' "Grand Old Party." I'm talking about a formula for effective service in the church. The "G.O.P." formula looks like this: Gift + Opportunity + Passion = Dynamic Ministry.

As we grow in Christ, God gives us gifts—abilities and talents we can use to honor the Lord and build up other people. "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4:10).

God gives us opportunities to put our gifts into action. "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:15, 16a). When the Lord opens a door, something worthwhile always awaits you on the other side.

And God gives us passion. True vision for ministry flows out of a burden or passion bestowed by the Holy Spirit—an eager, enthusiastic desire to make a positive difference. Passion for the city of Jerusalem moved Nehemiah to rebuild its broken walls. A burden for lost people propelled Peter to preach God's Word despite threats of imprisonment and death. My friend Roger overflows with excitement whenever he talks about men's ministry. Gerri's eyes light up when she talks about working with children. Tim earnestly desires to serve the poor in urban areas. Jim is fired up about planting new churches. Dana loves to honor God with her music.

What is your particular passion for ministry? What has God equipped you to do that will bear maximum fruit for his kingdom—so that more people will know Christ as their Savior and Lord? What are you motivated to do for the glory of God, even if no one pays you for it or applauds you for doing it? What compels you to serve the Lord even when others object that it won't work, it can't be done, or you're wasting your time?

Gifts and opportunities alone aren't enough. They have to be combined with a passion for ministry. Of Jesus it was said, "Zeal for your house will consume me" (John 2:17). Zeal for God stirred the apostle Paul to say, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace" (Acts 20:24).

Ministry must be need-oriented and want-to motivated. Find a need, match it with a gifted person who wants to meet the need, and the results are dynamic. Take a committed believer who loves sports and turn him loose to coach your church's youth basketball team, and he will do a great job. Twist his arm to make him join the choir because you need another tenor, though, and he may grudgingly comply—but with little joy or enthusiasm. Take a quiet woman who delights in praying for others, help her find a place on an intercessory prayer team, and she will be a great blessing to others. But make her feel guilty because she doesn't go door-to-door witnessing, and you will dishearten her. For dynamic ministry to happen, a need has to be matched with a gifted person who has a "want-to."

Can you imagine what would happen if every member of the body of Christ would discover just one way to serve the Lord and do it with passion and excellence? When you use your "G.O.P.," you'll experience joy, you'll help others, and the Lord will be glorified in your life.