Transactional versus Relational Ministry/ Service

I have been thinking some recently about the difference between transactional versus relational ministry. Here is what I mean.

In relational ministry and service toward others service is rendered to persons multiple times over a period of time. Because ministry happens over time and happens repeatedly relationships occur. Trust is gained that opens up further opportunities for service. An example of transactional ministry would be the weekly foot washing and Friday feeding program one church I know of conducts every Friday throughout the year. Persons who wash feet, feed and serve develop relationships with persons who come time and time again to receive services.

In transactional ministry service is also rendered. However, this ministry is more one and done. Here a church goes out and serves for a day with a person or family they may only see that one time. There are many examples of this: the group that goes to feed at the homeless shelter once or twice a year, giving away a water bottle as part of servant evangelism, going on a mission trip to a place you will not return.

It seems to me that the Bible is clear that Christ values service no matter what kind, whether it be relational or transactional. It is equally clear to me that in the church we do a better job with transactional ministry than relational ministry. I am doing some further thinking about why that is. I am also thinking about the example of Jesus' earthly ministry. As I read scripture it seems Jesus' ministry was both relational and transactional. On the one hand he invested in the lives of twelve other men (and no doubt women too that we do not hear about) over a period of time on a regular basis. Yet, there were others, the woman at the well, various people he healed, and others who he seems to serve only once (at least that is the impression the Bible leaves us with). I guess I come back to the blessing of the both/and instead of the tyranny of the either/or when it comes to the choice between transactional and relational ministry.