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I wrote recently about the need for discipleship methods, materials, and programs to be accessible and reproducible (March 22 and March 25). Recently a pastor friend reminded me that ministry opportunities also need to be accessible–instant participation, instant success.

In the church, not everyone is qualified, for example, to teach children’s Sunday School, but almost anyone could help with crafts or registration. How much talent would it take to be the “scripture memory lady,” listening to children recite their verses?

Some ministry assignments are difficult and require training, but many beginning ministry activities are not. Instant participation, instant success.

Jesus sent the twelve out on their first missionary assignment (Matthew 9.36 – 10.10) for a limited time after he had been with them for a while. When they returned, however, their next ministry assignment was at the feeding of the 5,000 (Mark 6.30 – 44) where they became ushers, servers, and busboys!

Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass [USHER duty!]. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people [SERVER duty!]. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish [BUSBOY duty!]. (Mark 6.39 – 43, NIV)

The disciples didn’t, nor should the folks we’re helping, stay doing “entry-level” ministry. But it is a place to start. Accessible. Instant participation, instant success.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (Mark 5.18 – 20, NIV)