The Ministry Collaborative has long been attuned to the complex context(s) of ministry across the United States, and beyond. The ability to assess and interpret the landscape – through education, experience, engagement, and collaboration – is vital to our mission to faithfully serve and support ministry leaders, congregations, and communities. Every time and season has its challenges for life and faith, and currently ours includes deep division and distrust. While we know that, “nothing is new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) we recognize that this time of distraction, polarization, and anxiety is new to those of us seeking to faithfully navigate it and lead others through it.
The Resources page is TMC’s hub for blog posts and podcasts, and more. It features articles and conversations addressing a wide range of topics, all of which are relevant to ministry today. They invite reflection and engagement with a diversity of people, places, thought, and approach. Indeed, our network itself is a resource we want to share – a wealth of wisdom and knowledge, and a community reminding us that we are not alone in our endeavors to be Christ’s witnesses. And so we continue our current blog series featuring different voices responding to pertinent and timely questions. Today we ask,
How are followers of Jesus in your context finding ways to maintain a unique witness during a time of such distraction, polarization, and anxiety? What does this witness look like?
“To be a Christ witness in this time and season looks like humility for me in a time where everyone thinks [they are] right. It is not about who is right, it is about how we can understand one another without accusations and blame, it is about how we can love and respect even those who look different, who think different, who behave different, who vote different, just because that is the call of the Gospel… in that direction we may let the light of Christ be brighter in this time of darkness.” – Jonier Orozco, Pastor, Austell Presbyterian, Austell GA
“We’re praying every day for the presidential candidates and their supporters; we’ll have extra prayer services before and after the day of election; we’re continuing to focus on our feeding and children’s ministries and on welcoming one another in real love and care. We’re continuing to be church and follow Jesus – not a club of like-minded Facebook friends.” – Kate Flexer, Rector, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, New York City, NY
“In our context, followers of Jesus are finding ways to bear witness by deeply engaging with the local community, fostering connections that reflect Christ’s love amidst the anxiety and polarization of our times. At Vista Lutheran, we’ve sought to be a place of peace, grounded in prayer and committed to outreach. Our prayer gatherings, particularly in the lead-up to the election, focus on rooting people in the love of Christ, helping them navigate a world marked by division with compassion and hope. This witness takes shape through our support of local ministries, like Rise Early Learning and STEP food shelf, where we address real needs in our community while living out our call to serve the vulnerable.” – Kjell Ferris, Interim Pastor, Vista Lutheran, St. Louis Park, MN
“We have a member in our church who is a COO of a large, international insurance firm. He was raised in the church and is a very devout follower of Jesus. He and his wife consistently witness to God’s grace and love, no matter what they do, even with the distractions, polarizations and anxieties that are all around us. This witness looks like testimony of being able to dialogue through differences. This witness looks like lovingly listening, when that’s what is needed the most. This witness looks like grace and love for neighbors, when storms hit and lights go out. It doesn’t matter what position you have in life, followers of Jesus humble themselves and use their blessings to bless others.” – Amy Valdez Barker, Congregational and Pastoral Formation Curator, The Ministry Collaborative.
“We are finding that church can be a safe place to know Jesus. We are doing our best to have Scripture and the Holy Spirit lead open and honest conversations. Perhaps we are unique because we believe that God is equipping the church to be a place to be honest and open. It is hard and sometimes creates pain and division. Sadly, we have lost members but we have also gained members. Perhaps all we can do is trust Jesus to keep bringing us back week after week.” – Barrett Payne, Pastor, James Island Presbyterian Church, James Island, SC
“In many church settings, we often give children only small opportunities and then usher them to the sidelines. As a youth advocate and mother of four—my children are 15, 9, 7, and 2—I’ve had the privilege of watching them develop their unique gifts and learn to share the gospel through their gifts. It’s no coincidence that the first mention of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament was to inspire creativity in Bezalel (Exodus 31:1-5). Similarly, I see today’s youth moving beyond worldly distractions and tapping into their God-given uniqueness. I’m witnessing young people become powerful witnesses for Christ through art, acting, sports, music, and relationships. To witness is simply to see and share what we’ve experienced. Today’s youth are encountering Jesus, being empowered by Him, and using their passions to share Him with others. There is a movement stirring! The fields of arts, entertainment, and community are wide open, beckoning for the fresh creativity God has placed in His children. We can learn so much from the passion of the younger generation, and there is space for all of us to use our God-given gifts creatively to bear witness to Jesus in the world around us. – Acts 1:8, Jesus declares, ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’” – JaCynthia Bailey, Minister, Co-Founder of The Bailey Network, Durham, NC
How would you answer? We’d love to hear from you!
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