Published on: 07/10/2025
I’m writing this on the last day of September, and I cannot believe that September has been and gone already – its has just whizzed by for me. There are seasons when time seems to speed up and if I’m not careful I find myself on autopilot – doing the same things I always do, getting through each day. This can be true in our ministry as well as in our home lives, we do what we’ve always done, or we get into a routine without considering how we got there.
I’ve been thinking about what it can look like to be intentional in ministry, to make purposeful decisions and choices about what we invest in and how we spend our time. I was inspired by a recent conversation with a Focal Minister who told me about how he intentionally spends time each week in the local cafes and community centres, making connections and building relationships, letting people know about church events and services and listening to people. Another Focal Minister intentionally wears her church lanyard with her focal ministry badge when she is walking around her village, and she loves the conversation starter it can be.
These things take choices – they don’t happen automatically.
Its the same with raising up others into ministry (one of the core activities of Focal Ministers): we need to have our eyes open and purposefully looking for the giftings in others, and actively create opportunities for them to grow in their gifting. I’m sure you can remember a time when someone did the same for you – intentionally investing in you and your calling, inviting you to contribute, to serve, to muck in and get involved. I’m so grateful for the people in my life who invested in me, yet when I get into a busy September on autopilot, I drift along without taking the time to stop and make sure I’m investing in others.
We are a body and we need each other, and this takes intentionality; remembering we are connected to each other and taking the time to nurture those connections.
Some of you might be feeling weary as you read this, tired from so much intentionality! You’re intentional about time with God in prayer and reading the Bible, you prioritise time with family, you set time aside to serve in church and in mission, you are intentional with your health in terms of nutrition and exercise, you try to keep up with friends, you have a house to maintain etc… this can all feel overwhelming! Which is why it is so important to have time where we do take our foot off the gas and have some real rest. A weekly sabbath, periodic weekends off, times of retreat where we can invest in the main things – remaining in the vine (John 15) and enjoying our closest relationships.
What is the Spirit nudging you about at the moment? Is it to add some more intentional practices to your discipleship or leadership? Is it to schedule some protected rest-time in the next few weeks? I pray that you sense God’s leading in this season and that you are able to respond.
This week’s Blog post was written by Beth Burras, Lead Lay Ministry Enabler