Ways to Expand Your Ministry​—Part 1

SERVING WHERE THE NEED IS GREATER

It may be that you serve in a congregation where the territory is frequently worked and a fine witness is being given. If such is the case, you may feel that you could expand your ministry by moving to an area where there is a greater need in the field. (Acts 16:9) Your circuit overseer may have suggestions on how you can assist another congregation within the circuit. If you wish to serve in another area of your own country, you may write to the branch office for information. If you presently serve as an elder or a ministerial servant, there may be another congregation in your country that would appreciate having your assistance in caring for congregation needs.

Would you like to advance Kingdom interests in a foreign country? If so, you need to consider such a move carefully. It will certainly have an impact on you and any who accompany you. (Luke 14:28) If you are not planning to stay a long time, it may be best to consider serving in areas within your home country.

Before the branch office in your country or in another land can provide you with names of congregations that could benefit from your assistance, your Congregation Service Committee will need to provide a letter of recommendation. This letter is required whether you are serving as an elder, a ministerial servant, a pioneer, or a publisher. The service committee will send a letter of recommendation along with your inquiry directly to the branch office of the country where you desire to serve.

If serving where the need is greater is something that you would like to do, why not discuss the matter with the elders in your congregation? They may be able to help you determine how to go about making such a move or how to qualify for such service sometime in the future.

WORKING WITH A FOREIGN-LANGUAGE CONGREGATION

In order to expand your ministry, you may wish to consider learning another language, including a sign language. In some bilingual families, both parents and youths are serving in foreign-language congregations to care more fully for Kingdom interests. If you have the goal of learning to preach in another language, why not speak with the elders and the circuit overseer? They may be able to offer suggestions and needed encouragement. In some cases, under the direction of the branch office, circuits have organized language classes to help reach the local immigrant population.