The Process of Starting Your Ministry

New York Times best-selling author, Paul J. Meyer, declared, “Your work is your ministry.” I agree with Mr. Meyer to some extent but I believe his declaration doesn’t go far enough. I believe your life is your ministry. Every facet of your life, whether you are at home, work, or play, should be dedicated to your divine calling, also known as your purpose. 

So how do you start your ministry? How do you start living on purpose?

By His life’s work, Jesus taught us how to start and continually grow our ministries by establishing the W3 Process. 

Worship. 

Worship is defined as "the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. The acts or rites that make up a formal expression of reverence for a deity; a religious ceremony or ceremonies.” Clearly, baptism would qualify as worship. In the Gospel of Matthew, we find Jesus submitting Himself to John the Baptist to proclaim publicly His devotion to the Kingdom of God. This was the first step He took in starting His ministry. 

Wilderness. 

Now publicly ordained and anointed by God, Jesus didn’t dry off and start healing people. He submitted Himself to the will of God by retreating to the wilderness for 40-days. The wilderness drew Jesus closer to God as He was constantly tested and tempted by the adversary. Having triumphed over the devil with faithful recitation of scripture, Jesus was finally ready to fulfill His purpose. 

Work. 

Although Jesus’ purpose was to redeem all of humanity through a single sacrificial act of unconditional love, He couldn’t go straight from the desert to the cross. He had to work to get there. Everything He did, everything He said, everywhere He went, He was working to fulfill His purpose and grow His ministry. Jesus even used napping as a means to enlighten and encourage His disciples (see Matthew 8:23-27). 

Start your ministry today by thanking God for all that He has given you and give yourself over completely to His graceful will and loving care. …Then go camping!