There always seems to be some confusion between ministries and programs. This confusion sometimes causes trouble during discussions concerning ministry focus in a denomination or local church. In my way of thinking, ministry is the direct sharing of Christ with someone else. This can take many many different forms from serving kool-aid at VBS to crusade evangelism. Anytime we convey Christ in any way at any level to another we are engaged in ministry.
Programs are the organizations which systemitize ministry. For an example, teaching children the stories of the Bible is a ministry. Sunday School is a program. You may be called to teach children and Sunday School gives you the opportunity to utilize your calling. If Sunday School changes, it doesn't mess with your ministry; it changes the program through which you do ministry. Teaching children biblical principles is foundational to a local church. The programs used to teach them must be evaluated constantly. I feel that it is important to keep that perspective. We are called to ministries, not programs.
By the way, this post is not to prepare you for any major announcements of changes to programs at Lakeside/Highpointe. It's just what is on my mind today. As you know, I think of all kinds of wierd things.
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