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Introduction
After a Sunday liturgy, Ellen, the coordinator of eucharistic ministers, took a few moments to pray. So many personal responsibilities were pressing in upon her, such as increased work hours, a daughter's failing math grades, and a brother's alcoholism. She questioned the value of spending her time serving in the parish. Then, as she began to pray for her brother, a bronze statue of Jesus, the Good Shepherd caught her eye. She smiled. Ellen knew the Good Shepherd was taking care of her. She realized that she, in turn, was called to shepherd her group of eucharistic ministers and help build parish communities, which could in turn reach out to people like her brother.
For many people, ministry groups evolve into spiritual families that provide mutual support, a sense of purpose, and a way to serve others. Ministry groups become communities, much like the disciples in fishing boats on the Sea of Galilee. Just as variables like weather, fishing equipment, and the condition of the boat are important, so, too, are ministry group resources like prayer, learning, faith-sharing, mutual support, and a sense of mission. When these are in place, groups can draw strength from the presence of Jesus in their "boats." Such groups can become communities gathered in faith around Jesus. For them, "the kingdom of God is not a concept… but is before all else a person with the face and name of Jesus of Nazareth." [1]
Creating ministerial communities means striving to grow in the fruits of shared discipleship. It means deliberately pursuing the vision of community and choosing structures that transform groups into living cells in the Body of Christ. Ministerial communities can be enriched through an awareness of scriptural images for community and insights from Church documents. Finally, such communities can make practical decisions that involve "catching" spiritual fish, or evangelizing others, as they become Church together.
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