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In Holy Baptism, the Spirit of God comes to each of us. We receive gifts of the Spirit; gifts, says St. Paul, to be used "for the common good." That is, we are to use our unique personalities, traits, and interests to build up the church and to share Christ's love with the world.
One way to use these gifts is through the ministry of St. Paul's. Together we provide many opportunities to share God's love with one another and with the world. These opportunities are described in this booklet.
As you read these pages, prayerfully be aware of the things to which God is drawing you. What needs of the world most touch your heart? What aspects of the Gospel seem most lively to you? Pondering these questions might be a clue as to where you can be serving in the Church.
Let me use myself as an example. I have long felt a concern for hungry and malnourished people. This concern has led me to emphasize hunger ministries throughout the years. As a pastor, I have had a unique opportunity to do that. But I've sometimes wondered: If I were not a pastor, what would I have done with this concern? I hope I would have gone to the leadership of my congregation, and asked them where I might fit into the church's life as an advocate for hunger ministries.
Depending on how a congregation is organized, this might have led to serving on a stewardship, social ministry or service committee. Or maybe it would have led to the creation of a special hunger task force.
What groups and what needs of this world press deeply upon your heart? Children, youth, the elderly? People with AIDS? Single parents? Persons who are physically or emotionally abused? The mentally retarded? Or _______________? Where is God drawing you to do ministry? I invite you to talk about that with me or another leader of our congregation. Together, let us seek ways in which your gift of the Spirit can be used for the common good.
Pastor Joseph Scholtes
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