How to Make Time for Ministry

This post contains affiliate links. By purchasing through these links you are helping me keep The Homemaker's Cottage running with no added cost to you!

Sometimes it feels like being a homemaker and having time for ministry work is only for Patty Pinterests. You know, those women who are living the “Instagram lifestyle”.

Being a homemaker, especially if you have children, some days it feels like you’re drowning in laundry. Not to mention being a wife and mother and don’t forget about everything else on your plate. Who in the world has time to make care packages or talk to others about the gospel?

While I would say that being a homemaker, our first and most important ministry is at home. Serving our husbands and children is more important than any other work. God has put these people directly in your life for you to minister to them.

With that said, I believe it’s still important to do ministry outside of your home for a few reasons:

1. It’s important for your children to see you serving others so they can learn by example.
2. It’s good for you to join your church and community and get to know others while you serve.
3. One of the commandments that Jesus tells us to do is to go and share the gospel with the world. We can’t do that if we never take time for ministry.

Then he said to them,“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. — Mark 16:15 (CSB)

So, here are a few easy ways you can take time for ministry, (even in a busy season).

1 | Make a date night out of it

If you’re a couple and are struggling to find time to get out together let alone do any sort of outreach or ministry, why not make it a date? Seems a little odd at first, but it can be really fun! Depending on what your community does, you can help:

• Go shopping for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes together (hello Target dollar section!)
• Serve in a soup kitchen together
• Go together to share the gospel in your community

It doesn’t have to be a major event or a well-known ministry event; just going together with hearts open to serve the Lord and share His word, is a great opportunity for God to use you in His plans.

2 | Involve the whole family

Not only can you make a date night out of it, but including your children in age appropriate ministry opportunities gives your children a chance to learn to have a heart for God and His people. Depending on their ages, you can do anything from:

• Stuffing boxes for Operation Christmas Child
• Making care packages for the homeless
• Picking out extra food at the grocery store to give to the food shelter
• Going through their clothes and old toys and asking them to be thoughtful about giving them to other children who need them at various shelters
• Adopting a family or child for Christmas where your children can help pick out their gifts and have a lesson on gratitude

Personally, I try really hard to be mindful of ministry opportunities with my kids, and often I fail to fully rise to the challenge and set a good example. But if you stay consistent with always reminding your children that they are blessed, and it is a gift to bless others, they will hopefully have a heart for God’s people as much as you do.

3 | Schedule it

We make time for soccer games, church on Sundays, a night out to a nice restaurant, but how often do we actually make time and schedule ministry work?

Whether you schedule it in one a week, or once a month, any time dedicated to God’s work and serving His people is time well spent.

It could be as simple as having coffee with a single mom or widow in the church each week and encouraging her. It could be sending a care package to a soldier overseas once a month. Or it could be as big as organizing ministry events for the church and community.

No matter how you do it, be sure to be intentional with your time, as it’s a gift from God, and is precious.

Add a little grace

While it’s so important to do God’s work, set an example for our children, and help our community, be sure to give yourself grace. You are not wonder woman and you cannot do it all. Sometimes you have to say no.

So find ways you can minister to others that compliment your gifts, and your love language, and find opportunities that fit in your schedule. Remember that while self-care is necessary, God’s work should come before pedicures and spa days. There’s a fine line of balance between doing His work and burning yourself out. So be sure to check in with yourself and see what you need and what you can give. God knows your heart, and is overjoyed with the love you give to others from Him.

I pray this post has left you a little more encouraged and excited to share God’s message with others. I pray that He gives you the strength and wisdom to share His word. And I hope you give yourself grace on the days where it might not be done.

I’m curious to know: what are your favorite ministry opportunities that you’ve done? Leave them down below!

Join us every Monday and Thursday for new topics on homemaking and sharing the gospel! You can find us on our Facebook page, in our Facebook group, The Homemaker’s Corner, on Instagram and Pinterest.