Last week (and this week) the children in my community have been out of school for Easter holiday. During this time most of the kids would understandably stay home, or go somewhere else for a few days.
This meant I had more time than usual on my hands!
Between reading classes at school, Bible clubs, and reading tutoring I don’t have a lot of time to spend with young people. Usually it’s an hour at most, which is okay sine it allows me to impact many of them. But my schedule works a lot with the school. So when school lets out, I’m not able to minister to as many kids as usual.
So for a week I’ve embraced a “Slow Ministry.”
Slow ministry is basically spending extra time with the young people the Lord allows me to reach.
Recently we’ve spent time.
- Putting up a rope swing….and seeing who could swing the highest
- Buying popsicles
- Going to my house (and petting my dog)
- and visiting the sea
Each of these events took longer than i usually spend with them….
but that’s okay.
Ministry should be scheduled and efficient because its done for the Lord. But sometimes God gives us seasons where ministry is slow. It can be discouraging because the Lord calls me to lead reading classes, not orchestrate a popsicle selfie! But I can guarantee you those young people will remember those popsicles (and that picture) more than our reading class.
Somedays ministry just isn’t efficient
But those long hours spent on a rope swing and walking along the beach create memories and deeper relationships that God can use for His glory.
Johnhwilburn.com 
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