The Ministry of Presence, A+

I recently relocated to Houston, and returned to the place of worship where much of my spiritual foundation was developed. I hadn't yet settled into being back, but I certainly was delighted to be in "the house".  It's a familiar place, filled with fond memories, growth rings, and good people. The atmosphere is sweet, filled with love and peace.

My spiritual father no longer sits in that end seat on the front row, he's been raised up with Christ and and finds his seat with Jesus. There are new faces all around. There are friends whom I haven't seen in years. It seems I may have been the only one whose aged. But then my eyes catch the faces of the few. The ones who share the memory of the most grueling, yet amazing year of their life, at the feet of Dusty in the School of Ministry. These are those. The ones you'll never forget and those who wouldn't just go through the fiery furnace with you, they'd dust your feet off when you stepped out unscathed.

After the service and many hugs, it was a conversation with just such a friend that proposed the question of purpose. We pondered the timing of our return. We weren't the only ones. And why now? We agreed, it was for support. For such a time as this. But how? We both travel frequently, minister regularly, and have served in every vein of the church, this church. Then the words and the understanding came, "the ministry of presence". 

Familiar words accompanied by a knowing and understanding. We, I, had been called back to simply be, not to do. To be a witness. I contain evidence.

Containers, is that not what we all are? Proof of what is available.

The Ministry of Presence, simply put, is to show up! It is the greatest asset we (C2C) have when go behind prison bars. Why? Because of abandonment! When we show up, the message heard without a single word being spoken is, "I've not been forgotten!" Our presence says, "I must have value or why would they bother?" Reinforcement comes when everything within us is... available, accessible, and able. Hope is stirred.

• Available = not otherwise occupied; free to do something.
• Accessible = one (typically with experience) friendly and easy to talk to; approachable.
• Aware = having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact; concerned and well-informed.
• Able = having the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something. 

In Mark 4:35-41 Jesus had been teaching all day, answering questions, and now was sleeping in the back of the boat when a storm arose and the waves threatened to take it under. Note that He wasn't rowing. He wasn't doing whatever boat crews do when they cross over. He was merely present. Alarmed by the storm conditions the disciples woke Him, inviting Him into their emergency. Jesus may have been asleep, but he was accessible, aware, and able. His peace calmed both the storm and their hearts.

I'm reminded of my night rotations as a Hospital Chaplain. Having finished my rounds, I would retreat to the overnight room, grab a pillow, close my eyes and catch a few winks before the conditions were right for an emergency. However, many times there was nothing to do, the emergency merely required my presence.

Now I'm not making light of the work, it was intense and I loved it. I simply point out that I was present. I was available, accessible and able to calm the storm, when called.* 

When Jesus was present, everything within Him was available. His strength. His healing. His love. His peace. And His sacrifice of self.

In John 4:7-30 the woman at the well came in direct contact with Christ's presence and it ministered life to her. His light shined on her darkness. His knowing brought conviction. Everything He is, was available to her. His presence brought life.

That is the key, it's not about doing, we are simply to be. To show up, filled up, and fully ready if needed. That year of preparation launched each of us into a life of ministry, whether staffed or not, we stopped doing ministry and became ministers. That is who is in the house.

Carry on.

*Called to change.