He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. –Colossians 1:28 (NIV)

The full scope of kingdom building can easily become overwhelming.  There is so much that needs to be done!  People have all sorts of needs.  What is most important?  Which areas do we focus on first?  How do we begin to determine what ministry work we should be doing?  On our own, this is easily so overwhelming that we end up spinning our wheels and having little or no impact OR we try to do it all and burn ourselves out.  One of the reasons an annual theme matters is that it helps us to hone in on which area of ministry work should be the focus for this year.  This year, we are refocusing on the Vision!  Having 20/20 vision suggests that we see clearly.  So, it is important that we understand the Vision and put our ministry efforts to work to help fulfill the Vision. 

The Vision involves ministering to the total man, which includes man’s spirit, soul, and body.  (See 1 Thessalonians 5:23.)  Ministering means “attending to the needs of…, or providing something necessary or helpful.”  In order for us to minister to the total  man, our ministry work should attend to the needs of or provide something helpful to the spirit, the soul, and the body of man. 

Our body has these five senses:  taste, touch, hearing, sight, and smell.  Ministering to the body should effect at least one of these sense in order to impact the body.  It’s one reason why food fellowships make good sense in our church!  Our soul concerns “our minds, our emotions, and our will”.  Things that impact our intellect, activities that are encouraging and uplifting, and opportunities to pursue our purpose here on earth—these affect our soul.  Participating in various ministries can minister to our soul.  Singing in the choir, serving as an usher, attending Sunday school and bible study are all important.  Our spirit is at the core of our being, and anything we do to experience God is important to our spirits.  Activities that minister to man’s spirit include worship, prayer, reading and meditating on scripture.  When we give a bible to newly baptized Christians, we equip them to both study and meditate on God’s Word.  There is so much that we can do to minister to each part of the total man!  Many ministry activities will overlap and impact multiple parts of the total man. 

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