What's the difference? Missions & Ministry

Today I saw a great visual of the work God is doing in my church. I truly wish I could have captured it in photo, but didn't think it was quite appropriate to break out my phone during the commissioning part of the service. This next week nearly 300 people from Shades are going out on mission trips... to New York City, to Peru, and to South Africa. The sight of all of those people in the altar, and then the hundred or so who joined them for prayer was just... beautiful. I am so thankful to be apart of a ministry that is so focused on missions.

This past week I was asked to explain how my "ministry" (something to that effect) is lived out on a daily basis. I was in a situation in which I had to respond quickly, but in retrospect I am proud of my answer... I explained that I believe that God calls all of His children to do a certain work. He puts us in jobs so that we can be Him and show Him to others, and meet a need that has not been met. So my ministry is not what one may believe as conventional ministry, as I am not a minister and I do not work in a church, but frankly... the majority of us do not work in churches, so if the only "ministers" in the world were those on a church payroll, this world would be a much needier place.

This picture I have in my head from this morning and the question from earlier in the week has really gotten me thinking, What is the difference between Missions and Ministry? Is there one? How does that difference play out in my life... does it play out in my life?

As usual, when I'm thinking of difference in words I go straight to the dictionary to see what good ole Webster has to tell me about the differences. I also looked up the definition of minister, to clarify who exactly these definitions refer to.

mis·sion   /ˈmɪʃən/ [mish-uhn]
–noun Also called foreign mission ( for defs. 3, 6 ) .
1. a group or committee of persons sent to a foreign country to conduct negotiations, establish relations, provide scientific and technical assistance, or the like.
2. the business with which such a group is charged.
3. a permanent diplomatic establishment abroad; embassy; legation.

min·is·try   /ˈmɪnəstri/ [min-uh-stree]
–noun, plural -tries.
1. the service, functions, or profession of a minister of religion.
2. the body or class of ministers of religion; clergy.
3. the service, function, or office of a minister of state.


min·is·ter   /ˈmɪnəstər/ [min-uh-ster] Show IPA
–noun
1. a person authorized to conduct religious worship; member of the clergy; pastor.
2. a person authorized to administer sacraments, as at mass.
3. a person appointed by or under the authority of a sovereign or head of a government to some high office of state, especially to that of head of an administrative department: the minister of finance.
4. a diplomatic representative accredited by one government to another and ranking next below an ambassador. Compare envoy1 ( def. 1 ) .
5. a person acting as the agent or instrument of another.


–verb (used with object)
6. to administer or apply: to minister the last rites.
7. Archaic . to furnish; supply.


–verb (used without object)
8. to perform the functions of a religious minister.
9. to give service, care, or aid; attend, as to wants or necessities.: to minister to the needs of the hungry.
10. to contribute, as to comfort or happiness.

To first think about the difference in Missions and Ministry, I felt I needed to know how I fall into the minister definition, if I did fall into the category of a minister, by definition. Here's the kicker friends... ALL CHRISTIANS ARE BY DEFINITION  A "MINISTER". Check out those items I highlighted in blue. If you profess to be a child of God... then you are most definitely "acting as the agent or instrument of another." But we aren't just serving "another" y'all... we are serving the Most High and Holy Creator, who from our first breath intended for us to "give service" (#9) to others. I believe that by doing #9 you are also fulfilling the #10 part of this definition.

{In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.}

Acts 20:35 ESV

{So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.}

Philippians 2:1-4 ESV

So since we now know where we fall in the minister category, looking at the definition of mission and ministry is a bit easier to understand. From where I'm sitting, at first glance is seems the "Mission" is the project, the goal, the plan... Of course naturally, I think of a mission trip, when I think of the word mission, but a mission doesn't have to be something you go across town, country, time zones to complete. A mission, by its own definition can be a charge. Sounds a bit like this to me:

{Go into all the world and preach

the good news to all creation.}

- Jesus

Sound familiar?

So how do we "Ministers" go about this "mission"... well, that's where the "ministry" part comes in... notice the word I highlighted in that definition... service. Our ministry is what we do. Ministry is to action and Mission is to charge. God gave us the charge, and He gives each one of us the tools, the calling, the desire to carry out that charge in our specific ways. You can contribute to that charge in ways I can't... and vice versa. You may not cross paths with college students every day as I do... but I don't spend a lot of time with kids, with sick people, with those in financial trouble. Just as He has given you an opportunity to live out your ministry in your job, God has given me the calling to work with college students, and the experiences I need in order to minister to them. Sometimes theses students, my coworkers, sometime the parents just need someone to listen, they need advice, they need an answer to a question on a frustrating day. Those times that I can fulfill that need... that's a time when I am ministering to someone... that's a time when I am fulfilling my ministry and my mission.

Those are times when I am fulfilled by the opportunity to serve my

Lord in the specific area He has called me to work.

Those are the times when I am fulfilled by my Lord.



{In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.}

Acts 20:35 ESV

Here's ultimately the way this has played out in my head...

Minister (adj) + Mission (noun) = Ministry (verb)

Simple. Practical. Possible.

Love Y'all,

Kacey

If my friends were a hashtag...

This past weekend was such a great blessing of Friendship. One of those times when you just sit back and thank God for the people He has put in your life. One of those times when you wonder why your paths crossed, but once again thank God for orchestrating those paths. In some ways it has reminded me of why I do my job and why I have such a passion to make college a positive experience for students… it’s one of those weekends when I am humbled by His provision of certain people in certain places at certain times in my life. Since I am now addicted to Twitter, I started thinking about these friends, and how I would describe our relationship in a hashtag (#for all you non twitterers). Hope you enjoy:


Way back in 7th grade I met this girl (who was in the 6th grade) who went to District 5 Honor Band from Oak Grove, and she played the bells just like me. Her name was Kristin and that weekend at JCJC was my first memory of her. Many more have come in the 15 or so years since that day, including waking up at 4:30am on Friday morning to watch the Royal Wedding. We happen to love watching important historical moments together, we are especially fond of the Olympics. For the 2004 Olympics, I drove from Oxford to Starkville just to watch the Openeing Ceremonies with her. I'm sure I'll do it again next summer!! #MP4Eva

(Kristin with a horse, somewhere in Europe)

In the Spring of 2002 I was helping to plan a mission trip to Mobile AL, and this transfer student from Northwest Community College wanted to join us since she would be attending Ole Miss the following year. That transfer student is now my best friend, Liz. Though Liz and I only see each other once or twice a year (sadly)… she is an incredibly important person in my life. #Letsgetthispartystarted

(Me and Liz...)

I started my job as a Resident Assistant in the Fall of 2002. I never knew when I took on that job that God would bring 3 special girls into my life through that responsibility. Some of my fondest memories from colleges were with these ladies who at one time called themselves, the Wanches. I have enjoyed spending the weekend with Lindsey and Beth, and we have spent a lot of time thinking of and talking about Sarah who is at home in Ohio impatiently :) awaiting the arrival of her sweet baby Boy. I am so proud to see who these friends have grown into… they are amazing women who’s hilarious laughs, funny comebacks, and sweet smile personally encourages me to be a better professional. #WAAAANCH

(Beth, Me, and Lindsey in the Grove)

(Sarah and her Husband Kyle. Soon to be a family of 3!!!)

As a RA, I met a lot of great people, students from all over the world who chose to do a job to serve others. Some did it for the right reasons, and some didn’t… but along the way I made some excellent friends. I was a RA for two and a half years… and looking back, I can see that it was something God intended me to do (Obviously it led to my current profession). I believe that one of those reasons God’s path took me to the job of RA was to meet Erica. Erica had been a RA in my freshmen building, but we did not work together in the same Residence Hall until my senior year in the Fall of 2004. I honestly don’t recall how our connection started, but we clicked instantly. You know that saying, “brother from another mother”? Well… I guess Erica would be my “sister from another mister”. We don’t see each other very often at all, in fact before we got together on Friday night I had not seen her in probably two years. However, Erica is that friend that there are no awkward pauses with and certainly never a dull moment in conversation. You pick up where you left off years ago and move forward. We share our celebrations (she is Engaged and expecting a baby!!), our frustrations, and our sorrows in a very honest manner. There are so many stories from our days as RAs and so many funny memories. I am blessed to know this special lady. #Doyouwantacookie? #Oreo

(Erica and her funny self! Love her!!)

I love these friends, I am so thankful for these friends. I pray for you my friends.

{"Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down, his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 }

{"A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity."

Proverbs 17:17}

{"Faithful are the wounds of a friend;

but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

Proverbs 27:6}

{"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

Proverbs 18:24}

Love Y'all, Kace