The task of scheduling people for the different ministry spots may seem like an easy task. People have already been recruited so we just need to plug them into different dates and times. Yet, we may run into some scheduling woes and find it to be a difficult responsibility. To maintain Christ-like attitudes and responses, we need God’s grace in scheduling, for ourselves and also for those being scheduled.
We Need God’s Grace in Scheduling
Sometimes scheduling people for ministry can be challenging, especially when you don’t seem to have enough people recruited to fill all the time slots. It can seem overwhelming at times and like a thankless job.
- We need help. God will give us the grace to proceed so let’s ask Him for help.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Heb. 4:16)
- We need hope. God will give use the encouragement and hope we need by His grace so rely on His love and eternal perspective.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thess. 2:16-17)
Other times scheduling people for ministry can seem exasperating, especially when things keep changing, people cancel at the last minute, etc.
- We need strength to keep going. God’s grace will be sufficient when we feel depleted.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Cor. 12:9)
… by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thess. 2:16-17)
It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace … (Heb. 13:9)
- We need self-control to rise above. God’s grace will provide the understanding and ability to treat people as we should, not as we feel.
For the grace of God … teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11-12)
… we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. (2 Cor. 1:12)
People Being Scheduled Also Need the Grace of God
More than likely the people we’re scheduling need that same help, hope, strength, and self-control.
- We should commend them to the grace of God as they set out to serve which will include praying for them.
… had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. (Acts 14:26)
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor. 13:13)
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess. 1:11-12)
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (Rev. 22:21)
- We should challenge them to stand in His grace as they go out to serve so they dispense His grace to others which will include encouraging them.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. (Eph. 4:7)
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Pet. 4:10)
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim. 2:1)
When we pull on God’s grace in scheduling, it turns a necessary task into ministry.
For More about Grace, Go To: Resources about God’s Grace
All Posts about Scheduling:
- Considerate Scheduling
- Purposeful Scheduling
- Scheduling Leave Room for the Great Commission?
- Christ-like Scheduling is Flexible
- Scheduling Woes
- Gospel-Centered Scheduling
- Prayer-Based Scheduling Needed
- Prayer-Based Scheduling Makes a Difference
- Even Scheduling Needs God’s Power
- Spiritual Gifts for Scheduling
- God’s Grace in Scheduling
- Need Help with Scheduling?
- Scheduling in the Name of the Lord?
- Frustrated by the Task of Scheduling?
- Scripture Thoroughly Equips Us, Even for Scheduling
- Scheduling Have You Down?
- Good Stewardship in Scheduling