At the Crossroads

I’d like to tell you about a concept I call “ministry intersections.” What is a ministry intersection? A ministry intersection is one of those unplanned moments that happen to each one of us every day when our lives intersect with the life of somebody else – someone who has a “felt” need. A “felt” need is… a need that they feel! It might be a simple as a need for gasoline for their car, a jump start for a dead battery, or a piece of wire to hold down a part on their broken grill. It could be that their “felt” need is just a longing for an encouraging word or a smile from a friendly face or maybe they could really use an oatmeal cookie and a listening ear because they‘ve had a hard day. Sometimes it’s hidden behind a brave mask but the need is “felt” just the same: terrible loneliness, grief, loss, depression, guilt or shame. There is also a second need which they may not even know that they have, but this second need is the real need that every human being has - the need for Jesus… and they have just intersected with someone who knows Jesus! Ministry happens at the point where the life of a person with a felt need intersects with the life of a believer who is willing to help meet that need and share the good news of Jesus – it happens at the crossroads of Church St. and World Ave.

As Christians, we need to develop an “intersection” mindset. We run right through them every day and we don’t even know we were in one! That’s because we are so focused on “what we had planned” for today and not on what God wants to do with us today. Intersections are almost always not what we had planned, they are interruptions of what we had planned and as such we tend to view them as negatives – not opportunities. Typically, we don’t see them at all. We don’t see the man at the gas station with a flat tire, or the kid with scraped knee, or the lady in the hospital elevator who is crying, and if we do, we think, “it’s none of my business,” or “I don’t have time,” or “she’ll think I’m weird.” Usually, even though we don’t mean to be, we are the first two guys who passed by the wounded traveler in the Good Samaritan tale. What if we just made it a habit to smile and say, “How are you?” I know, I know … people would tell us all their woes; about their sick cat and Aunt Sarah’s operation and we’d never get anything done and we’d wind up being taken advantage of and short on time and money. Yes, that happens sometimes. But sometimes you get to do what Jesus did, what Paul did, what Philip did… letting a ministry intersection interrupt our day and receiving in return the privilege of sharing the gospel, showing them the love of Jesus, meeting their felt need and their real need. That’s what happens at ministry intersections!

“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2Cor. 5:20) Could you become a person who is ready, willing and able to both help meet the “felt” need of others and share the gospel. How? “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1Peter3:15) Here are some practical pointers. TRY THESE!

1. Smile! “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones!” (Prov. 15:30) Remember – we are Christ’s ambassadors! If you go around with a sour look all the time, you may have to be prepared to give and answer for why you seem to have NO hope!

2. Give a gift! “A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.“ (Prov. 18:16) It doesn’t have to cost more than a pack of gum - it truly is the thought that counts!

3. Lend a hand! “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. (Luke 10:33-34) Offering help gives us credibility to speak. Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.

Here’s some handy “conversation starters” when finding yourself at a ministry intersection:

“Hello! How are you today? How’s it going? Do you live around here? Where is your home? Where did you grow up? Tell me about… your book, your tee-shirt, your child, etc. Are you okay? Is everything alright? Can I help? Can I pray for you? Where do you go to church?” Try asking questions like these - you’ll be amazed at how much people appreciate the simple fact that you want to hear anything at all about them.

It’s okay to go looking for “intersections” but it’s more effective if you just open your eyes and see all the intersections that are already (super) naturally happening all around you!