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DUTIES OF MINISTRIES IN CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL
Songs: 1. Lord I want to be like Jesus in my heart (2x) Inner my heart (3x) Lord I want to be like Jesus in my heart 2. Here am I (2x) send me Here am I (2x) send me If the Lord wants somebody here am I (2x) send me.
Introduction: By ministries, we mean the various arms through which renewal groups carry out her day-to-day responsibilities. Each of us, as St. Thomas Aquinas once said, is a sort of living tool for God, who has his own plans and projects. Just as there is a right tool for each job, each of us is precisely the right tool for a project that God has in mind, and he calls us to be that tool. 1. Ministries are not created for competition and show up. 2. No ministry is inferior or superior to the other. 3. Prayer Group is not the ministry but the ministries form a prayer group. So do not reduce the prayer group to ministries. 4. Make the members of your ministries interested in the activities/programmes of the general group. 5. Advertise all programmes/activities of the prayer group to the ministry members. 6. Encourage the ministry members to obey the directives of the prayer group/servant team even if you do not agree with those directives.
i. One Body, Many Parts: 1 Corinthians 12:12-25 12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater hono u r to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (1 Corinthians 12:12-25). ii. On Divisions in the Church: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? 5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour. 9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. (1 Corinthians 3:1-9). iii. Unity in the Body of Christ: Ephesians 4:3-6 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:3-6). iv. Living Sacrifices: Romans 12:3-8. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:3-8). TEACHING MINISTRY: Matured brothers and sisters in the Catholic faith form this ministry. They study the bible and the teachings of the Church so as to teach the members of the group. This ministry also handles the various discussion group meetings in the prayer group. “Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” (Acts 8: 30-35). HEALING MINISTRY: The prayer group encourages praying for brothers and sisters for their problems and difficulties and expects the Lord in His infinite mercy to heal our physical and spiritual ailments. The healing ministry takes charge of the healing fellowships. They also arrange to counsel and pray for individuals in their ministry meetings. They handle deliverance prayers for tormented/possessed members. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour." (Luke 4: 17-19 Isaiah 61:1-2). PRAISE AND WORSHIP MINISTRY: This ministry provides the lively choruses and worship songs that make our fellowships very lively and our hearts lifted up to God. You see them in Bachelor’s eves, wedding receptions, special prayer group programmes and Church activities. “Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD." (Psalm 150:1-6). WELFARE MINISTRY: This ministry takes care of the welfare needs of the members of the prayer group by providing assistance to the needy, the sick, the bereaved, the homeless, jobless, stranded and other such corporal works of mercy. Charities are also extended to orphanage, old people’s homes, prison and hospitals. In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:1-7). They are the eye of the group. You see them visiting every nooks and cranny of the town. CORRESPONDENCE/BOOK MINISTRY: This ministry keeps appropriate records of events in the prayer group. They collate and make announcements in our fellowships, maintain our Post Office mailbox and ensure effective distribution of our letters. They are also spreading the gospel through printing of magazines thereby making disciples of all nations: ‘Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”’ (Matthew 28:18-19). Handle the buying and selling of good Christian books, sacramental, cassettes etc in the prayer group. It takes care of the prayer group’s bookshop and library. NATIONAL STEWARD/SERVICE MINISTRY: This ministry sees to the proper arrangement and security at Renewal conferences. It does the same job at the prayer group and maintains orderliness during fellowships. It is in charge of ushering in members, welcoming them to fellowships and directing them to their seats. Also coordinates all forms of services to the prayer group or individuals at occasions like weddings, harvest etc. “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28). They ensure safety of the prayer group properties such as benches and public address systems. They come first and leave last! CHILDREN MINISTRY: This ministry caters for the children. They teach them catechism, scriptures and other moral instructions according to their ages and understanding. They ensure orderliness at various prayer groups’ activities. I am particularly excited with the way they are preparing these young one for the challenges ahead. They are indeed catching them young. They are building a solid foundation in their lives that they (the children) will forever be grateful for. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14). “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6). GREETERS MINISTRY: This ministry takes care of new members to the prayer group, organises new members lessons and paying them personal visits for encouragement. They are what I call the eye of the group. They are the first port of call where they make a lasting good impression in the lives of new members. Through their excellent care to these members they will like the people of Antioch said indeed you are Christians (Acts 11:26) . EVANGELICAL MINISTRY: This ministry takes care of evangelisation. They meet and plan how best to carry out the spreading of the Good News within and outside the prayer group. “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:18-19). SISTERS’ MINISTRY: All the sisters in the prayer group are encouraged to meet often to share their lives and learn what Christ expects of them as Christian women in their homes, marriages, work places, etc This ministry ensures that our sisters stay connected to God and treasured daughters of the most high God. There are many aspects of a woman's life that are unique and men are unlikely to ever fully understand. Whether it's the responsibilities of motherhood, or biological matters, or emotions or motivations, men and women are just different! A traditional Church environment, where men, women and children are present, would not allow consideration or discussion of Christian aspects of many subjects uniquely important to women. The sisters’ ministry is helping to fill that need. INTERCESSORY MINISTRY: This ministry comes together almost on a daily basis to prayerfully intercede for the needs of our members, the Christian community and the world at large. “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." (Colossians 4:12). They continue to wrestle in prayers for the success of all our programmes. They pray for the fire of the Holy Ghost in all our fellowships and for the unity among all especially the servant team. FOLLOW UP MINISTRY: This ministry caters for members who have completed their new members’ lessons with the Greeters Ministry and waiting to begin the Finding New Life in the Spirit Seminars. The ministry ensures the continuous preservation and nurturing of the new faith in these people. They do a follow up as their name implies on these people by continuous formation and regular visits to members who appear weak. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,” 1 Peter 2:2, and 2 Timothy 3:3-4 Put up with sound doctrine. Orientation Ministry: This ministry prepares members who have just completed their Finding New Life in The Spirit Seminar and waiting to be posted to ministries. In addition lapse ministry members are also sent back to this ministry for preparation to re-unite/join a ministry. So they are preparing God’s people for ministry. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. ” (2 Timothy 2:15). This is how they are preparing these people as good and competent workmen and workwomen for God. It also takes care of weak members in various ministries. Marriage Counselling Ministry: Matured brothers and sisters are drafted to work in this ministry. The attend to bachelors and spinsters who are intending to marry. They counsel them from experience and provide them with real life situations. They help/advice these people to find good and godly partner. They also provide guide on how to plan for traditional marriage, bachelors’ eve, wedding and reception. “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the LORD.” (Proverbs 18:22) and also ensuring they keep themselves pure while preparing for this holy vocation: “Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (Hebrews 13:4). Recommendations:
Shalom Evang. Oseh J. B |