And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6.9, 10

Life Together
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)
“The second service that one should perform for another in a Christian community is that of active helpfulness. This means, initially, simple assistance in trifling, external matters…We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions.”

Pastors can sometimes be guilty of trying harder to get others to help them than in helping others. We’re all that way, to an extent. But the Golden Rule instructs us to think of others first, to consider their needs above our own, and to love them actively, even in the small details of their lives. There will be very few things in your life that are so important that you just can’t be interrupted by someone’s question or need. When we are available to people at the moment of their need, we reflect God’s own way of responding to us. God is ever ready and willing to help us in our times of need. We should reflect that attitude toward others as well.

How do you deal with interruptions? How do you plan for doing good to others?

The Disciplines of Relating
Helping others involves a set of disciplines that allow us to serve like Jesus and build others up in Him. Our ReVision study on Relational Disciplines can help you and your leaders get some handles on these important skills. Seven brief lessons with questions for reflection or discussion, and it’s free and available by clicking here.

Personal Mission Field
What Bonhoeffer is addressing in this final section of Life Together is what we refer to as Personal Mission Field. Every believer has a sphere of influence (2 Cor. 10.13-18), appointed to him by God, where he has been sent like Jesus to bring near the Kingdom of God. Our Mission Partners Outreach is designed to help you help others identify and work their Personal Mission Fields as a way of life. For more information, watch this brief video. I’m looking for men to take through the Mission Partners Outreach, to get you ready to introduce this to your church. If you’re interested, just drop me a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We rejoice in the goodness of our heavenly Father, Who provides the support our ministry requires through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.