The Privilege of Ministering

The Privilege of Ministering

For some reason the word “privilege” has fallen on hard times. It’s a beautiful word of Latin origin dating back over 700 years ago and meaning: “something regarded as a special honor.” In literature usage it hit it’s zenith in 1833 and has experienced gradual decline until about 25 years ago when activist Peggy McIntosh wrote a paper and coupled our word with “white” and “male” and the word began a rapid slide where it is now used with other nouns to evoke negative emotions toward a group that now has unwarranted and undeserved opportunities based solely on being a part of that group.

Replace the noun with a verb and we can reclaim this word. The privilege of ministering. The “special honor” of ministering. It is a unique and special place we fill. When they are sick they want a doctor, but when the diagnosis is given they cry in the embrace of a minister. When they are in conflict they may be blessed by a counselor, but when all seems lost they call on a minister. When they put together a ceremony they want photographers, videographers, a venue, cake-makers, a director but when they marry they want a minister. When they walk through the valley they need one who will minister. When they need a career they need a teacher, but when they are sorting out life they want a minister. All the above professions and skills bless lives but this little piece is for you, the minister. We are given a backstage pass into those special moments of life where there is joy or pain, celebration or confusion, the passages of life that are the biggest highs or the deepest hurts. Privilege: to step into people’s pain, to join in with people in their joy, to run into the burning buildings of their life’s greatest tragedy’s. Privilege I hope you will consider the privilege, the special honor, and the joy of being invited into those moments of life that are never forgotten. Keep ministering. I thank God for teachers who touch the future, but as a minister you touch eternity. Don’t quit.