Why Ministry?

Lately, I am in the midst of a transition. I am moving. I hate moving. Not so much going to a different place but the physical act of picking up all your possessions, placing them on a truck and driving them away for 15cents a mile. And then unloading it, arranging it, putting up pictures, changing mailing addresses, phone service providers, and not to mention, making sure the animals don't make the "Homeward Bound" trek back to the old place.

But all that aside, a friend of mine made a statement encouraging me to pursue new ministry opportunities fully. He said, "you have to remember why you are in ministry to begin with."

Now this term "in ministry" gets thrown around a lot in Christian church circles. Honestly, I am not sure we use it appropriately. It appears to be synonymous with "I am in a compensated ministry role." And trust me, as compensated minister, that's cool, but is that really the indicator of being in ministry? Getting paid?

Or some uses it to replace, "I work in a church in active role with a department (i.e. children's, youth, music)." But is that what it really means? I help at church?

I know this is a blog and it is my chance to become witty and say profound things but no fluff...
BOTTOM LINE:
If you love Christ and embrace him as your savior, YOU ARE IN MINISTRY! That's what he calls his disciples to...spreading his good news. Maybe our terminology of "in ministry" is what is killing our mobilization of laity. Maybe it is building a wall between the church and the community or maybe even a wall between the congregation and the platform. Are we not all in this together? Do we each not have the same spiritual responsibility, to share our faith?

I am pursuing all kinds of new ministry opportunities, but they are not characterized by compensation or location of activity. I am remembering why I am "in ministry" to begin with. I am "in ministry" because my Forgiver, my Comforter, and my Friend compels me to be. Any one else compelled?