Do What You Know Best

Up and coming writers are often given a simple piece of advice: write about what you know best. Write about things that excite you, things that you are passionate about. 

I think the same could be said of starting new ministry opportunities—especially ministry opportunities designed to reach your community. Start with what you know best, start with what you’re personally passionate about. 

Let’s all agree that as ministry leaders, the thing we’re most passionate about is introducing people to Jesus. But how do we build opportunities to do that? 

In my case it was to start Stories, Snacks, and Songs with my administrative assistant and friend, Joyce. I am passionate about children’s literature (of the 50+ boxes of books I moved to NJ, 35 of them were full of children’s books!). Joyce is passionate about teaching children to cook. I have learned to be passionate about crafts (as long as they’re not too messy!). We both love to sing. Nine months after I arrived at the Ridgewood CRC, we launched Stories, Snacks, and Songs. 

We meet monthly for two hours and those two hours are full of books, snacks (one sweet and one, as the children say, ‘good-for-you’), glue, scissors, crayons, and lots of sparkly things. Most important, it is a time to build relationships with new children and their parents. It began with the children of Ridgewood CRC—five of them representing two families. Two months later they brought friends and three months after that the friends brought friends. Like ripples in a pond, the word went out and we continually see new faces each month. 

Over the course of the four and a half years two of these new families have decided to make Ridgewood CRC their home as well. We are very blessed. Stories, Snacks, and Songs might not be your thing—but you have a thing! Do what you love best and you might just be surprised at how the Lord uses it and you to bless others.