This summer I was privileged to have the opportunity to serve at my home church as an intern. I really enjoyed getting to learn so many things that I will get to take with me as I go forth in my ministry. My responsibilities included: heading up youth games, leading children's ministry once a month, taking out the trash, setting out bulletins, putting out our flags and anything else the staff felt necessary. Also, part of my internship was getting the opportunity to preach at our mother church, Charity Baptist Church in Ward, Arkansas. I loved getting to travel with some other members from Central that came to hear me share God's word.
The first thing I learned was that ministry can be fun! Like I said, one of my responsibilities as an intern was heading up our youth group games. This was most definitely the most fun part of being an intern. This summer I had the youth split up into two teams. They named themselves the Honey Badgers and Skitter Hawks. They've been competing every Wednesday playing "Minute to Win It" games. I very much enjoyed preparing the games and seeing them played out by the students. This Wednesday they will battle it out one final time and the winning team will be announced.
Another thing that I really enjoyed doing was leading the children's ministry. Although I'm better with teens, I loved getting to teach Central's kids about the Lord. We sang worship songs, played games, read bible stories, and made crafts. It was a joy to get to interact with them and get to know all them better. I look forward to leading them one last time before I go back to college.
The second thing I learned was that ministry also is work. My other responsibilities were setting out bulletins, putting out the flags, and taking out the trash. I have to be honest. When I first looked at the list of my responsibilities as an intern I thought dad put "taking out the trash" just to annoy me. However, he was serious about it. At first, I was aggravated to do it, but throughout the summer I realized how essential it was. The staff members have a whole lot more important things going on.
It is important in the church that members take on certain responsibilities that the staff members won't have to worry about. This is so they can get more urgent things accomplished that are more necessary in ministry. You serve so that God's work will be done and he will be glorified, not so you can be praised. So, in the end I learned how to find comfort in knowing that I was putting forth work toward his kingdom. Even if it means doing the grunt work behind the scenes. Pray that God continues to teach me more and more lessons in ministry. God Bless!
