October 16, 2024

“Enjoy your coffee break, we’ll see you in fifteen minutes!” The crowd streams out of the Transform Our World conference room into the sunlit lobby. The low hum of conversation starts right away and even the attendees whose red eyes testify to the jet lag they’re fighting latch onto the person nearest them so they can start comparing notes about the session. It’s an extrovert’s dream come true.

Even Ed Silvoso, a self-described “shy guy”, stands right in the middle of it, dispersing greetings left and right like those people that launch t-shirts at a crowd during a sports game. “Cal, good to see you!” “Brian, how are you?” “Evelyn, that was a great session!” I smile, knowing he’s drinking in these precious moments with the Transform Our World family as eagerly as the crowd is drinking their coffee. I squeeze into the coffee line, hoping the brew will be extra strong. Filling up my cup, I turn to the people nearby and ask the inevitable question:

“So, what do you do?”

“I’m a cartoonist”
“I work in financial analytics”
“We run a shelter for victims of human trafficking”
“I love to take care of my grandchildren”
“I’m an ex-con and I started a ministry for others like me”
“I write children’s books”
“Our station puts on events for the local youth”
“We started a coffee company”

These are just a sample of the responses this question might prompt at a Transform Our World conference. It’s hard to imagine more of a variety of ways for people to fill their days. But there’s a common thread in all of these answers, something that each and every one of these people
could say truthfully:

“I am a minister!”

For most people, the word “minister” tends to conjure up a vague idea of a clerical collar, a
building with a cross on the top and the same carpet since 1972, or someone with the ability to
translate obscure Greek and Hebrew nouns.

But what does it actually mean?

To be clear, traditional pulpit ministers are absolutely essential to strengthening the body of
Christ, and without their incredible, self-sacrificing work, all of us would be poorer spiritually. But
in the Bible, the act of “ministry” wasn’t something that exclusively happened for a few hours
every Sunday and was only led by a small group of people: it was a 24/7 activity that engaged
the whole body of Christ, both in church meetings within a building and all over the city! Ministry
simply meant doing the work of the Lord.

This is best summed up in this excerpt from Ed’s book Anointed for Business: “Church should happen all over the city, every day, all day long as Christians replicate the model presented in Acts 2:42, ‘They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.’ Nowadays there are multitudes of believers in the marketplace who hold strategic positions in business, education, and politics. They need to know that they are called to play a vital part in the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth. Without their active participation and leadership, our cities will not be transformed and the Great Commission will not be fulfilled in our generation.”

Take a moment and reflect on what you do every day. Whether you coach a sports team, work as a nurse, lead a corporation, or are creating an online brand, do it to the glory of the Lord! As you set up your ring light to film, ask God for your videos to reach those that need them. As you rush to classes in the morning, keep your eyes open for opportunities to speak words of life and encouragement to other students. As you sweep floors, remember that God promised to be with you everywhere you set your feet. As you bake treats for a lonely neighbor, take joy in knowing that your kindness done in Jesus’ name can change the fate of a human soul forever.

Invite God’s presence into everything you do, and pray for those in your sphere of influence. Even if you start small, remember: Don’t despise small beginnings! From a simple act of faith, God can do something truly amazing through you, His minister!