WHY would I want to do that!?
Let me ask you this: Why would anyone want to become a minister?
If you are a minister, how many times have you thought to yourself, “If I’d known that being a minister included this kind of stuff, I wouldn’t have wasted my time!”?
IT CAN ACTUALLY BE A PRETTY MESSY JOB
Sometimes, literally messy: setting up tables and chairs, cooking for events &/or cleaning up afterward, getting plumbing in the church flowing again, cleaning up spills . . . on and on . . . .
Sometimes it’s messy with the relationships:
. . . You didn’t learn that a church member was in the hospital till they’ve been dismissed and now they’re mad that you didn’t visit them.
. . . A key leader has just been found to be having an affair and you’ve got to deal with the fallout.
. . . After hours of counseling a couple to get through a difficult situation. they quit attending your church because they’re embarrassed to see you with how much you know about their lives.
. . . and on and on it goes . . . .
Not as spiritual as you thought it would be?
MINISTRY ISN’T ALWAYS WHAT PEOPLE EXPECT
If I, or anyone else can talk you out of becoming a minister, it’s probably in your best interest!
There can be a certain fantasy connected with being a minister:
- Being in the “limelight” every Sunday.
- Wielding a certain influence with people in, and out, of the congregation.
- Recognition for being a person of mission for God.
- Solving everyone’s problems, many times before the problem even occurs because of the wonderful words of wisdom that are presented in messages and Bible studies.
- Maybe even because a minister has lot’s of time to play golf, and even use recreational activities as a means to influence others as he fellowships and establishes relationships with potential church members.
- Working in an atmosphere where everyone gets along and any differences are always settled with a group hug and a smile.
ARE YOU REALLY CALLED BY GOD TO DO THIS?
Whatever your thoughts might be about serving as a minister, you might want to talk with a trusted pastor and ask what ministry actually includes . . . both the good and the difficult.
Please understand, it is a rewarding and fulfilling calling that can be a lifetime of hard work and meaningful investments in people’s lives.
AND, at the same time, it is fraught with pitfalls and tedious struggles that test one’s faith and faithfulness to the extreme limits.
Without actually being called by God to serve Him at His bidding, there is no way to survive as a minister in any position in the church.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND TEST YOUR CALLING
Why would I want to talk you out of vocational ministry?
If I, or anyone else, can talk you out of it, you probably haven’t been equipped by God to act in that capacity.
It’s not a matter of anyone being a “bad” or deficient person. It’s just a matter of being in the place God wants for any person.
If you feel that God is urging you to enter full-time ministry in some capacity, do yourself a favor and question for yourself whether or not that call is from God.
As I mentioned previously, spend time with a trusted pastor and learn about the pros and cons that have been experienced.
There is no cynicism in this statement. Only a concern for those who enter ministry and leave bruised and resentful because it isn’t what was anticipated.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Has ministry been everything you expected, or has it been disappointing?
Click on the {# Comments} below and let me know what your thoughts are on this subject.
