Why is it that Christians think their vocation and hobbies are not opportunities to minister? What I am talking about is how many Christians never think about using the skills that they use to receive a pay check or in their hobbies in their ministries or in their churches.

Consider the skills of a average business person. Most business people have to have good communication skills. There is nothing more vital to a ministries then being able to not just convey empathy and/or knowledge, but to do it in a way that people understand. These communication skills can be oral, written or in some other media (video, web, or audio for example), but the skills required are the same. Few teachers or pastors could not use a few lessons in better presentation and speaking skills. Most churches / ministries have someone in them that has the right skills, but the person is not using them for the body for any number reasons. If you are a leader, think about someone in your ministries sphere that could help you improve your communication ability, and then set a time to meet with them to get some guidance. If you have these skills, think of away train others around you in them and help them improve the communications skills that they already have.

Business people have the skill of comparing and contrasting services or products. This skill is vital when explaining the benefits of Christianity to that of a life spent in the a lost world. One or two short sessions on how to compare and contrast good and evil would probably revolutionize a church body. I am not talking about explaining things at a high theology level, but the ability to explain to a person at a simple and basic level what their decisions mean, and the results of their sins. This is a skill that few “mature” Christians have. They have spent so much time learning deep Biblical concepts and grasping for Godly wisdom, that they have forgotten how to simply explain to a lost person who Jesus is and what a relationship with Him means. These comparison skills could really be beneficial to communicating the importance of making the right decision.

Successful people, in business or in their personal lives, have the ability to get things completed. One of the worst things a Christian can do is commit to things, and then not complete them. A successful person could help many within the church better learn the importance of completing what they start and also importance of doing it in a timely fashion. They can also help people understand the importance of doing things that are within their skills and/or abilities and reasons why not to commit to things that they can or will not do. Basically the importance of being true to their word and true to the skills and abilities God has given them. How many times do new Christians or lost people get frustrated or confused when the word of a “saved” person is no more dependable then that of a lost person.

Good businesses / successful people are organized. A unorganized ministry is a uneffective one. A organized person could help organize and facilitate a successful and growing ministry. They could train other workers to support the leadership and to carry out the duties that are needed to continue to grow a ministry properly. If even a few changes were made to most ministries they would improve dramatically. Better organization of the tasks and habits of a ministry reduces the likelihood of double work, and the frustration that results when no one has a plan and there is not consistent work. Both the people that work in and receive benefit from ministries can easily become frustrated with lack of organization and order, and this will increase the chance that they will go elsewhere to minister or to receive blessings.

Successful people know how to manage themselves, their time, as well as the duties and time of the people around them. The goes back to the previous skill: organization. People that manage their time well will find success as they will be more productive and more effective with less work. Time management is a vital skill that many within the body of Christ need to learn. Leaders need to understand how vital it is to manage and control their own time and the time of those that are helping them. People are busy, respect their time, and respect their schedules. Just because we are doing work for God does not mean we should take advantage of someone’s time and not respect that they may have other things to do, some may even be more important then what you are asking them to do.

Along the same line, nothing is more frustrating then another church meeting where nothing is decided, discussed, or changed. If the ministry is not ready or willing to change or deal with problems, do not call a meeting to discuss changes or ask for problem solving solutions. Do not waste peoples time. If you are ready for change/input etc, set a meeting, let everyone bring their ideas, decide, and move on. Churches, and the committees that drive them, are famous for taking too long to decide and then making decisions that are not complete solutions.

There are many jobs that contain valuable ministry skills. Customer service representatives, or sales associates, both have to understand how to help people in need and how to stay calm when those around them or that are talking to them are not. These skills would be very beneficial to helping ministries that intervene in problem situations, medical situations, or other life problems that arise. They also have to be able to explain things simply where everyone understands them. Technical people (programmers, analysts, engineers, scientist, etc.) all have the skill of breaking problems down and solving them. Most ministries have some problem/s that need solutions, but can not find the root cause. What a great match of skills and needs. Computer and web professionals both have skills that most modern churches could use some help in. Maybe installing or updating hardware and software, or some web development for some local ministries could do a lot to improve their effectiveness, their abilities, and expand both their capacities and their impact. Project managers by definition know how to handle multiple situations simultaneously, who better to deal with the dynamics of modern ministries. Homemakers can teach everyone else in a church about how to manage a budget, how to manage time, how to multitask two or more important things, and the importance of one on one relationships with the people that you want to impact. Factory workers can teach ministries how to properly handle requests and directions, and the importance of producing a quality product no matter the circumstances. Landscapers can donate one afternoon a month to working at the church or with the church to help needy people in the community. They can also train others to do the work for those in need. Builders could give a bit of their time to improve the building or help those in need. Same with painters, roofers and pavers. Their skills are always needed either at the church, or by a person or group the church is ministering too.

Even hobbies can be used to improve and expand ministries and churches. How about a group of Christian golfers getting together to teach young people about golf and Christ and proper attitudes at the same time. Maybe a group of sewers could teach children how to sew and also teach lessons about patience and Christ and feeling of successfully completing something of quality. Musicians could teach others how to play their instruments, or how to read music, or how to sing. Gardeners could work with the church maintenance team to improve the look of the physical building or to build a garden, a arbor, or a gazebo. They could also go and plant flowers at the home of shut-ins, and at nursing homes.

Now the thing to notice through all of these examples is this. All of these things are things that the Bible teaches us to do anyway. We are too be people of our word, that work at things God calls us too with gifts and abilities that He has given us to help those in need accept Him and grow into the Christians that He designed them to be. Basically we should help people where we are with the skills and abilities that we have. Almost any skills and most knowledge can be beneficial somewhere in the body of Christ. Let God lead you to where he wants you to minister and then use all the abilities, skills, talents, and resources you have to develop or support a great ministry.