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A Simple Plan for Doing Ministry through Business: Reach the Many by Helping the One
Do you ever get overwhelmed at the millions of people who need help in the world? With all the news channels broadcasting the hurt and pain around the world, with all of our friends posting their needs on social media, and with all the hyper-connection we experience today, it’s easier than ever to become overwhelmed by the needs of others. As pastor and leader-developer Andy Stanley points out in a sermon, the question should not be, “How can I help everyone?” but, “How can I help one?” Here’s the main takeaway of Andy Stanley’s message: “Do for one person what you wish you could do for everyone.”
Here are three ways that you can live this out:
- Go Deep Rather Than Wide. Rather than spread your resources, time and attention thinly, go deep with one person and invest greatly in them. This takes more time and intentionality, but in the end, will yield much more impact.
- Go Long Term Rather Than Short Term. Andy Stanley shared the story of Jane, a homeless woman who ended up in their church, listening to a sermon from Andy. After the sermon, she went up and asked to talk to Andy about some problems she was having. That began a 20-year relationship of Andy and his family helping Jane in her various problems with family, drugs, abuse and life on the street. Andy described how you can only take on one of these in your life at a time.
- Go Time, Not Just Money. Money is all too easy to give for many of us. It’s largely hands-off, and sometimes doesn’t take much energy or thought to give it. The measure of love you have for someone is more accurately determined by how much time you spend with them. So yes, support them with your money, but more important than that, support them with your time and talent.
What about in your workplace? This week, instead of worrying about how to reach your entire team, what if you focused in on one team member who you could invest in? Instead of fretting about how to please every one of your customers, what could you do for one of them? When you focus on trying to please the crowd, you end up pleasing no one. But when you focus on making one person’s life better, the news spreads to the crowd and your message grows.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Find more resources for leaders seeking to do ministry through their businesses at www.convenenow.com/resources. To learn more about Convene, contact your local convene chair.
-Harris Wheeler
2017 National Convene Chair of the Year
(205) 936-7038
