In ministry today, these words are very popular and are
preached often from the pulpit. But they mean different things to different people. Depending on what you mean by the word, you may be using it inappropriately by elevating your children’s ministry to the place of God in your life.
Let’s start by using the Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary for some of the definitions that apply.
Vision:
a) mode of seeing or conceiving
b) unusual discernment or foresight
c) direct physical awareness of the supernatural.
Passion:
a) ardent affection or love
b) desire for or devotion to some activity, object or concept
c) an object of desire or deep interest.
Other words used for Passion:
- Enthusiasm: lively or eager interest in or admiration of a proposal, cause, or activity
- Zeal: energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause
- Passion: emotion that is deeply stirring and ungovernable
- Ardor: warm excited feeling likely to be fitful and soon fading
Assignment:
a) a position, post, or office to which one is assigned
b) a specific task or amount of work assigned or undertaken as if assigned by authority
During this week, I’ll discuss each of these words and how to correctly apply them to God and to children’s ministry. I’ll also talk about how these words can place children’s ministry in the place of God when used incorrectly. When that happens, we make children’s ministry an idol.