From Thursday through Saturday this past week, I have attended the State EMS Conference.  This was my first time in many years as an attendee.  Normally my role is that of “the guy saying a prayer Friday morning”.  Don’t get me wrong, I am very honored to be asked year after year to give the invocation, and to remind the people across the state how important they are to their communities, but I have to admit, I am more excited about attending as an EMT myself.

I was talking to a guy and explaining why I am an EMT and I mentioned it as being one of my ministries.  He told me that it really was not a “ministry”.  I asked him why he thought that, and he explained that it was not a ministry because I was not a church activity, I was getting paid, and I actually seemed to enjoy it (Oh yes he did!).

I laughed and asked: “You don’t enjoy working for God!?”  He suggested that it should be just that – work, and not pleasure.  I countered by telling him that it was work and that is why I got paid.  Obviously getting frustrated, he then pointed out that it was not a Christian act and therefore not ministry.  Still smiling, I asked him what could possibly be more Christian that easing the burdens of those who were suffering?  As he turned to walk away, I reminded him that Colossians 3:23 commands us “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

It just seems to me that this is the only requirement for any act to be a ministry.