Ministry Between The Lines

Ministry has kept me in a car driving the highways and byways. It has been ministry between the lines. This is one of the first time I have had in days to sit before this computer collecting my thoughts. Recently it has been keeping one appointment after the next. Ministry between the dotted lines on the roads. Just yesterday I drove over 250 miles.

Jesus spent most of His time outside the synagogue. He got out with the people. Rubbed shoulders with the low lives. Sauntered around the sinners. Extended grace to the gutter dwellers. Performed miracles for the masses.

Jesus did not spend all his time holed up with books studying theology. Theological study is a good thing but not at the expense of not ministering between the lines. Sometimes ministry has to be done away from the church house in the houses of parishioners.

It's the way of the true shepherd. I n the past few days I've enjoyed ministry to a high school football team, reconnected with an old college friend, saw a retired pastor friend of mine having heart surgery, listened to his son living with the after effects of West Nile Virus and seeing a former church member from years gone by. It has been a lot of highway miles but rich ministry along the way.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the days holed up in the office with my Bible, books and this computer. There is always another sermon to study for, another Bible chapter to read, another book to read and something else to write. Those things don't take place between the lines.

Real life happens between the lines. People get sick. Burdens weight people down. Depression sets in. People get sick. Heartaches happen.

In the life of a pastor it is not either or. It is both and. Ministry between the lines and time shut up with God alone in prayer and study. It takes both.  Far too many choose one over the other. Jesus balanced ministry with the masses with times alone with His Father. It takes both. I trust the Lord for the balance of both.