Three words that seem to adequately sum up how I spend my time quite nicely – life and ministry – I use them all the time in conversation, when I am preaching, teaching, or writing – they neatly encapsulate all of the activities that I am engaged in throughout the course of my day.

I use and hear them often but I wonder can life and ministry be two different things? Can one be differentiated from the other and if they can, should they be?

For some, ministry is their life; they talk about and have time for little else it seems. Whilst for others, their life by its very nature demonstrates a care and concern that ministers to people sometimes without them being aware of it – it just radiates!

For those we minister to as part of a community of faith, it is important that they see and know we are ordinary people, just like them, with hopes and fears, strengths and weaknesses, sharing the journey of life together.

For those we interact with on a daily basis in the course of our ministry within the broader community, it is important that they see and know that why we do what we do the way we do, is a reflection or an outward expression of our spiritual journey – our faith in Jesus.

Life is ministry and ministry is life; we need to be able to move freely and comfortably between the two – something which requires the development and effective communication of appropriate boundaries.

One thing is certain: whether its life or ministry, the desire to maintain a healthy balance in one will be directly and naturally reflected in the other.