Minister While Partying

by Cheryl Faye Hollar
(Franklinton, NC)

This month, I had an invitation to two birthday parties for seniors in my church, so my mind has been on ministry, especially ministry to the elderly and homebound. I hope you don’t mind, but I want to take a moment to pause and reflect on what the words “ministry” and “homebound” might mean.

Medicare defines “homebound” as someone who “experiences a normal inability to leave home, one whose physical condition and/or limitations are such that it would be a considerable and taxing effort for that person to leave home.” Meals on Wheels sees the “homebound” as “individuals at home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals.” Our Franklinton Senior Center checks on our senior citizens regularly through Meals on Wheels and, especially in bad weather, to see if they are all right and if they need anything. Loneliness is a bad thing, and I applaud individuals who work with Meals on Wheels and who work with the Senior Centers, reaching out to others to share of themselves.

In my church, we have what we call a “Homebound Committee,” which ministers to those who are unable to get out on their own. I just want to share this month about some of the wonderful people who are considered “homebound” and the great ministry THEY share about the love of Jesus.

The first of the birthday parties I mentioned earlier was for one of my church’s homebound members who turned 85!! Her family gave her a party at the lake, which is about an hour and a half from my house. What a beautiful day it was!! There were about 100 people there, and we ate outside. I don’t know how many of you are familiar with a pig picking, but it is huge here in the South!! I just couldn’t bring myself to eat the pig though, so I “pigged out” on chicken and vegetable goodies. Oh, and of course, I walked down to the lake and sat out on the pier for awhile. It was a wonderful time of fellowship, and, I know Ms. Senter enjoyed it tremendously.

I have to let you in on a little secret about Ms. Senter. She is diabetic and recently had to have one of her legs amputated due to this disease. But, never once have I seen her down or complain about it. That is a testimony in itself. She is just a fun-loving, Christian woman who values what’s important in life and continues to share her time and love with her family and friends.

The second party was given by the Homebound Committee to one of our church members who is in a rest home. He turned 96, and is as spunky as ever!! I have to say that, as you well know, smiling is contagious, and I think it’s also a healthy thing to do. Besides, it warms the hearts of all those around!!

This all got me started to thinking about ministry to others – just what is “ministry” and how can I be a minister to others in the name of Christ? After all, Jesus said, in Matthew 7:20 (New American Standard), “So then, you will know them by their fruits.” We will be known by our love. As the song goes, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love…” In II Corinthians 8, we also see that the churches of Macedonia were poor financially, but gave liberally to others of what they had. I believe this included time and love.

Forgive me, but I also have to mention that in my church, we are preparing to elect Deacons into our what we call our Deacon Family Ministry. We have 12 Deacons that divide the number of church families on our church roll among them so that they can have one-on-one ministry opportunities with family members. It’s really great and gives you comfort knowing there’s someone you can call on at any time that will always be there for you, representing the cause of Christ. A Deacon is a minister, a servant. Of course, other qualifications for this servant office are spelled out in I Timothy 3. I’m going to give you a brief Greek lesson here. The Greek word “diakoneo,” coming from a word meaning “waiter” or “minister to others” means to “serve,” and it’s where we get the word “Deacon.” So, I believe on of our privileges as Christians is to be a servant to all we can, in the name of Christ. And I believe that to serve others in this way is to love them.