Last Word on Kettles
Fri, Jan 29, 2010
Kettle ministry is interesting. At times we can be looking at our watch at regular intervals, hoping that the person to relieve us isn’t late. Other times it is drafty and cold making it harder to sustain the aches of standing for two hours. I know myself that I have not always embraced another Kettle shift with great joy. However, with God’s help and aside from the public ministry, I am learning that Kettle standing can be a valuable time of personal ministry. It is not often we get two hours in a day where we have to stay put. These two hours can be spent praying through our prayer list and the people around us. It can be spent meditating on what we read in our scriptures recently, asking God for insight and application.
Kettle time is also useful for reflecting on what is working and not working in our lives and perhaps drawing on some conclusions for change. Practically, we can spend the time thinking about our week and mentally mapping it out. In the very least, we can try to view a Kettle shift as a way to pause in all the craziness of the Christmas season. However we have approached this ministry in the past, it is my prayer that we can learn to make it as useful for the Kingdom as possible.
Posted by Michelle Elsasser
January 29th, 2010 at 6:58 am
Amen Michelle;
It amazes me how much God uses us when we either willingly or are forced to stand still for a couple of hours. And the Kettle is the perfect oppertunity to reach HIM and His people in so many ways. Just this past Christmas, while standing on the Kettle inside our local liquor store, I had the oppertunity to meet hundreds of people, but amongst them were 2 families who were in desperate need of practical help but their pride was a stumbling block. I was able to start up a conversation and through HIS power, I was able to allow these people to accept the help that they needed and keep their integrity intact.
And, I agree with you, in the times that I stood there with nobody around me, I prayed for the people of my family, my corps, my communities.
As well as the Spiritual blessings that we give and receive, there is the very practical ministry. In a small area such as the one my wife and I minister in, countless families had Christmas dinner, dozens of children had Christmas gifts, and our food bank will be supplied for the coming months because 35 people saw fit to stand on our Kettles.
So, my prayer is that we continue to think of the practical purpose of the Kettle, but as you have so clearly said, why not spend that 2 hours in prayer, first for ourselves and then for those around us.
Thank you for your insightful words.
Blessings
Tony