5 Minute Ministry // Alan Nelson

California Community Church

5-Minute Ministry The 3 Goals of Today’s Message: 1. Re___________________ how you see yourself as a believer 2. Re___________________ how you perceive ministry 3. Re___________________ how you live your life 1. How you see yourself: - Christian culture caste system (unbiblical): clergy vs laity - We assume that if we’re not ordained, we can’t do legit ministry (2nd rate at best) - Oops: Exodus 19:5-6 All God’s people are a Holy “priesthood.” - Double oops: 1 Peter 2:9-12 The New Testament echoes the Old (see above) 2. How you perceive ministry: Common Myth-perceptions 1. Real “ministry” requires ordination 2. Authentic ministry requires you to go somewhere (e.g., church, mission field, etc.) 3. It takes quite a bit of time (1 hour on Sundays, weeknight, weekend, week, month, etc.) - Legit ministry is ___________________________ - Examples: Colossians 3:17, Matthew 4:19; 5:14 - The laity are not to be in the church, for the church, or do work at the church... we ARE the Church! - The “Good News” Continuum means ministry looks different depending on the type and location a person is on their path - The two main ministry roadblocks are: _________________________ & __________________________ - Two words in the Greek for time: chronos: quantity of time (Western mindset of schedules, speed, efficiency) kairos: quality of time (biblical/Eastern mindset of ripeness, readiness, fertility) - Ecclesiastes 3: God makes everything beautiful “in its time” - Matthew 13:3-8 Parable of the soils; look for fertile conditions - God is a good steward; emphasizing effectiveness over efficiency; knowing our location, God creates divine appointments every day - Pareto Principle (80/20 rule); most ministry opportunities are convenient (brief/close) 3. How you live your life: Five examples of 5-Minute Ministry; fertile, convenient opportunities to make an instant impact A. The power of ______________________________ - Encouraging words re-courage battle-weary people - Biblical mandates: 1 Thes. 5:11; 1 Peter 3:15; Romans 15:1; Eph. 4:29 B. The power of ______________________________ - … so that in times of felt needs, we can cross them - Examples: Galatians 1:1-5, Ephesians 1:1-2, Philippians 1:1-6, and Colossians 1:1-6 - List ways you can keep in touch with those in your network: C. The power of ______________________________ - Initiating interest primes the pump for ministry opportunities - Biblical examples: Luke 19:1-10; John 4:7-26 - It’s NOT the unbeliever's responsibility to initiate interest with believers - SALT (Matt. 5:13): Say something, Ask a question, Listen, Turn it deeper (if appropriate) D. The power of ______________________________ - A soul is nearest the surface during times of intense pain and joy - Biblical examples: John 11:35; 19:25-37; Luke 2:1-11 Conclusion: What’s 1 thing you got out of today’s message? How do you want to act on it today? This week?