I was at a women’s breakfast recently, and the speaker shared that sometimes “your ministry can be cleaning your kitchen sink.” So of course this got my wheels turning. Could your ministry be cleaning your kitchen sink? Or is this just a chore.

Would this be said to men at a men’s breakfast? If not, why not?

I shared this thought on my instagram stories, and I got so many amazing responses! So let’s dive into what the Bible actually says about cleaning the kitchen sink as a ministry.

The Word Ministry Definition

One of the original languages of the Bible was Greek, so let’s take a look at the word ministry in greek. (Learn more about the basics of the Bible here!)

It comes from the greek word diakonia, which literally means to serve.

In the Bible, the first deacons were founded because there was a need for people to serve.

Deacons comes from the work diakonia as well.

Could your ministry be cleaning your kitchen sink?

In Acts chapter 6, the apostles appointed the very first deacons. The apostles needed to be able to go out and tell the message of Jesus, but the widows still needed their food distributed to them.

The apostles were so busy sharing the gospel, but the widows still needed to be cared for.

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews^[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.² So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴ and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

⁷ So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 6 :1-7

What you are needed for could be your ministry.

What Could Your Ministry Be In This Season

So the answer to the question: “Can your ministry be cleaning your kitchen sink?” is YES.

If that is what you are needed for in this season of your life, then it absolutely can be your ministry.

I know what it’s like to work full time, and come home and have to clean up. It’s exhausting. It can help you get things done if you think of it as a ministry, instead of just as a chore. Several of you who responded on my instagram story said this same thing. It’s not easy cleaning up after everyone. It’s not easy doing the dirty work, but it needs to be done.

And maybe your vocation can be your ministry. Whether that looks like wound care, janitorial work, or working at a grocery store…that can be your service, your ministry.

I was a stay at home mom for two years, and I also know how hard it can be to keep your home a pleasant place. It’s essentially a 24/7 type job. My husband was a teacher as well as a youth pastor—and at the end of the day the sink needed to be cleaned. It needed to be done.

If I had refused to clean, would he have been able to go out and teach and preach to the students?

I guess technically yes, but eventually the dishes would pile up, gnats and rats would invade the house—and you get the picture.

This situation is almost identical to the appointing of the first deacons.

So what are you needed for in this season? How can you serve your family, others, and your local church?

If you don’t feel needed, I can guarantee you if you ask your pastor at your church if there is an area you can serve in, their answer would be yes.

Would Men Be Asked To Minister By Cleaning?

I think overall, women are typically the ones who are the stay at home moms. So the comment “could your ministry be cleaning your kitchen sink” is directed to a woman for that reason. After all, I was at a women’s breakfast—so the speaker was speaking to a room full of women.

However, it is 2023, and not every woman is a stay at home mom. Most families split the responsibilities around the house.

So if you and your husband are working, then I believe, your husband should be just as much responsible for half the work inside the home.

In my family, my husband and I split what needs to be done.

If I cook, he has agreed to clean.

I do all the laundry, but he mows the lawn.

You just have to figure out what works for your family.

With that being said, it is my hope that at a men’s conference, they too, could be encouraged to think of ministry in this way.

I would love to hear, “Men, your ministry could be folding the laundry.”

Because it needs to be done. Could your husband do this in service to his family?

So what are you needed for?

Could your ministry be cleaning your kitchen sink?

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