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Explorations in Just Living

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Welcome to the blog of the Enough for Everyone program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). By "just living" we mean both justice-based living and just simply living – freeing ourselves from the clutter of stuff so we can focus on living faithfully and living well. Join us in the exploration!

About the Author
Bryce Wiebe coordinates Enough for Everyone, a ministry of the Presbyterian Hunger Program. He loves slow food and is fascinated by the way things are made.  He is excited to dive into experiments in simplicity with you.  His sacred cow of consumption: kitchen gadgets.

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March 1, 2010

Lenten Living suggestion #6

Melanie Hardison

Every Member a Minister

During Lent this year, we are focusing on cultivating discipleship through service.  “Every Member a Minister” invites every member of the congregation to commit to a ministry of service outside the walls of our church.  We’re giving lots of suggestions, but also encouraging creativity (members can design a new project, work with others, etc).  The idea is to seek discernment of one’s ministry during Lent through prayer and research.  Representatives from various outside ministries will be present during coffee hours to answer questions and engage members (we also have written summaries of volunteer service needs on our website and posted on a dedicated bulletin board).  

Once a ministry has been chosen, members fill out a commitment card, which will be posted on the bulletin board.  Each Sunday during Lent, we will have a short “ministry dedication” prayer and each member who has declared a ministry will receive a woven bracelet as a reminder of their “yoke of service.”  

One of the ministry options is a “ministry of prayer,” in which members commit to intentional intercessory prayer for all the ministries and ministers.  They will receive regular updates of the ministries so their prayers can be very specific and so that they will feel part of the ministries.  The discernment of ministry will take place in Lent; accomplishment of the ministry can happen during Lent or later in the Spring or Summer.  Beginning in September, we will include a “witness” in every Sunday worship service which features a different ministry and how it has made a difference in the community and to the minister.  Our twin taglines are “Serves ’em right. . . serves us right!”

- Rev. Dr. Louise Westfall, Fairmount Presbyterian Church, Cleveland Heights, OH

Categories: Communities, Discipleship, Mission, Religion, Stewardship, Witness