Pastors have preached on it - Sunday School videos have been shown about it - and even some chaplains have opined on it! All that to say…the ministry of availability is definitely a topic “du jour.” The important word of course is, “availability.” How can we perform the ministry that is required of our jobs at MRC if we are not “available?” Having said that, I have known more than a few pastors (and others) who were plenty available, but not great ministers, per se, because they were unwilling or unable to make the next step: from availability to hands-on ministry. Both in Exodus 19 and Isaiah 61 the Lord instructs us that we are all called into ministry (the churchy language is the priesthood of all believers). I had a situation a few weeks ago here in Bryan where I was scheduled to welcome a group to sing folk songs. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and I looked forward to hearing once again about Clementine and the Yellow Rose of Texas. About 10 minutes before we started, an MRC employee came into the room in tears - needing to see a pastor. I quickly closed the door and she and I talked for nearly 20 minutes - cutting down the time of the singing group - because her need was greater at the moment. I suppose I could have said, “Can you come back in 45 minutes, and we can talk then?” But instinctively I knew, and I think most of us know, when we must not just be available, but make the time to help others. It’s good to remember that, in the story of the Good Samaritan, both the Priest and the Levite were “available,” but neither stepped in to help - only the Samaritan did. We pray for our strength, not just in our day-to-day availability, but our willingness to serve in the Lord’s name.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. David Henry, Chaplain at Crestview and Arbor Oaks in Bryan
