Almost every year, NWYM records new ministers of the gospel at our annual sessions. These are men and women, recognized by their local meetings, as people gifted by God for proclamational ministry. This means, in both word and deed, they communicate the good news of Jesus in a way that resonates with others and shows evidence of a ministry infused with God’s presence and empowered by God’s Spirit.
This year, we had five people from NWYM who were recorded. What was so wonderful about this group was the variety—men and women; long-time Friends and newcomers; Latino and Anglo; serving in different kinds of ministries.
At our Thursday evening celebration, I had the privilege of praying for those being recorded and offering a “commissioning charge.” Several folks asked me to share this with them afterward. You will find a copy of the charge on the next page.
In many ways, this commissioning was nothing more than a reminder to live with integrity—to be who and what God has called each of them to be. Nothing more, nothing less.
Imagine if all of us ministers lived out this charge with passionate integrity. And I don’t just mean the pastors, missionaries, and chaplains among us. No, all of us ministers—the plumbers, accountants, retirees, students, baristas, landscapers, and unemployed among us too. Imagine the kind of church we could be—would be—if proclaiming and demonstrating the gospel, encouraging each other, and committed, willing discipleship marked our lives. Indeed, NWYM and the whole rest of the world would be richer for it!
What is the call upon your life? What about the sense of mission God has given to your local church? Do you live into and live out both with passion? Integrity? Are you allowing yourself to be distracted from your call or the one given to your church? Is there someone in your life who is encouraging you to be the person God has called you to be? Are you encouraging anyone (everyone?) else to do the same?
Commissioning Charge
Tonight we celebrate the work God has done and is doing in your life. We also, as your brothers and sisters in Christ and co-laborers in the gospel, give each of you this charge:
To serve God and the church as a faithful minister of the gospel—affirmed and recorded by NWYM….
To preach the good news with boldness, humility, and deep joy…
To speak the word as a prophet—calling us to intimacy in and obedience to Christ in this time and in this place…
To love all people, and especially those in your care, with the gracious and tender love of Jesus…
To exercise spiritual discipline and self-control so that your time and energy will be freed for God’s use and good pleasure and so that the life you possess will match the words you profess…
To call and equip the church to service among one another and in the world…
To choose contentment in the path God calls you—wherever that leads…
To both lead and follow with courage and wisdom…
To model genuine Christ-likeness in all your relationships and activities…
To tend and deepen your passionate love for Jesus and desire to know him…
And to let your light so shine before others that they will see your good deeds and glorify the God of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If you do these things, NWYM and the whole world will be richer for it. We are grateful for you and count it a privilege to be your community of faith. God bless in all you do!
Article by Colin Saxton. Photo by Joel Bock
