You may think that setting boundaries are an essential part of life and may be very good at it in your daily life. However, the boundaries might be a bit harder to manage in a Christian ministry context. Perhaps you are a Youth Minister/Leader, Pastor, Sunday School Teacher. Perhaps you are just Joe Pewsitter Layman. Even if you are not officially in a leadership position, you may be doing ministry. Let’s look at it this way. Joe is sitting in church, has his hymnal out, ready for the service to begin. He looks at the pew in front of him and sees a young mother (Mary) and her child. He has never seen them before. She looks a bit uncomfortable, that is she looks like she’s a first time visitor. Joe greets her and finding out she is goes ahead and gives her guidance so she can fully participate in the service. After the service, Joe makes an effort to make her feel welcome in the church, whether it be just a chat in the nave or a visit to a local coffee shop. Ask Joe if he is in ministry, he’d quickly respond no, he’s just being friendly. Yet, I’d disagree…for Mary he ministered for her needs to be welcomed and accepted into a church. Perhaps the quick greeting, welcoming moment they shared will develop into a relationship where Joe and Mary become friends, cementing Mary’s connection to the church where she can grow.
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In reading the reading for today from my bible reading plan, I was drawn to Leviticus 19. I’ll admit that I usually skip reading this book, since it seems so foreign to us. That is one of the main reasons that I chose to do a bible reading plan. I am glad that I did.
We know that Exodus and Deuteronomy have the ten commandments, but what I had forgotten – for it has been a long time since I read Leviticus, is what is in chapter 19. Titled in my study bible as “A Call to Holiness”, it reminds me of the way God wants me to live my life. I am reminded of a number of things…