Use digital ministry to be kind

The Rev Ruth Kennedy highlights how digital channels can boost ministry.

PAUL wrote his letter, Galatians, after visiting the area a couple of times and sharing the life-changing message about Jesus with them.

Many people started walking a life of loving and following Jesus because of Paul and they warmly welcomed him. This is a good story to hear, isn’t it? Not so for everyone. Some, perhaps riddled with jealousy and fearing losing their position and status, were decidedly unhappy about Paul and his message of eternal life through the Son of God. They came to destroy his reputation and teaching, where structures, rules, prestige and human approval with external acts ruled, not Jesus.

Paul instructs and reminds them of the freedom that the Truth brings; ‘neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation’ (Galatians 6:15).

The new creation.

The new life we have as a child of God through faith, for all of us who are united with Christ have put on fresh clothes, robes, and a new identity in Christ. Where we are loved and accepted, purposed and empowered to bring God’s mercy and kindness, worship from our hearts not token sacrifices from empty rituals. There is a fullness in life with Jesus which is unattainable without Him. Neither is it gained from our acts or good works for God, only through His grace. Otherwise, as Paul says ‘Christ died for nothing!’ (Galatians 2:21).

Paul continues in this new life as the Spirit of Jesus fills and leads us manifesting holy fruit. One such aspect is kindness, an attribute of God from which our very salvation is derived (Ephesians 2:7-8). This generosity and considerate warmth are often overlooked, the small tasks we do for others or the good way we think about others and ourselves. However, kindness is incredibly powerful. It can alter the course of a person’s day because God and we interrupt, agitate, what is going on with a word or action of kindness. Not destruction.

We all have a God-given ministry of kindness and I encourage us to use digital ministry to be kind. Social media, blogs, podcasts, and comments on live streams all present us with easy opportunities to send out a wave of kindness from our Churches to our communities. Kindness might not be new but embracing innovative ways of communicating kindness is plentiful.

I love seeing and hearing how many of us are putting digital ministry to work in our churches and presbyteries. Responding with kindness when people don’t or can’t come into our buildings by creating digital content, encouragements, and services that help people worship and meet with God, grow and be encouraged, serve and give their gifts to the Kingdom of God. Kindness comes in various forms and guises, doesn’t it? For one, it might be their local church family making weekly short encouraging videos to help them through a tough time, or sharing a worship song reminding us of how God loves us. Even permitting others to create Godly digital content to reach younger generations who aren’t familiar with Jesus. All of these show the kind heart of God.

Kindness infiltrates our thoughts, words, and acts. It affects our decisions about our ministers, elders and members, churches, presbyteries, and national work. It is for digital and in-person. It is for the Church and beyond the Church. Kindness is for you and me.

I pray we all might discover kindness in new ways this September.

For more about ‘What’s New in Galatians’ see Sanctuary First September theme; Themes | Sanctuary First The Rev Ruth Kennedy is Digital Ministries Advisor for the Church of Scotland and minister with Sanctuary First.