“If any man desires the office of an overseer, he desires a good thing.” 1 Timothy 3:1
I am blessed to lead a single’s ministry full of young adults who want to glorify God with there lives, many of them considering whether God wants to use them in full time ministry. And it is in that spirit that I want to share some thoughts on why someone might want to do that.
First of all if you’re even thinking about going into ministry, you need to know all the down sides. This is by no means a list of perdonal complaints about ministry, so don’t assume. I love my calling as you will see. On that note, this is a little depressing…
- You will bear a stricter judgment before Christ. You will answer not only for your personal words, thoughts, and actions, but for the stewardship of your influence, creativity, and teaching.
- Deciding to be a pastor is not a good “career” choice. It’s not lucrative. It’s not like you’ll work on commission… and chances are, as a pastor, you will live paycheck to paycheck most or all of your entire working life.
- There’s little room for advancement… you don’t become a CEO Pastor, and if there was such a thing, it would only mean that you are responsible for serving more people.
- The hours are terrible. You will (almost) never have a weekend off. And expect phone calls at any given hour of the night requiring you to leave the warmth of your bed in the middle of winter.
- Marital strain. Ministry puts intense pressures on a marriage and family, that you would not experience otherwise.
- People will hurt you. And not just “bad” people. Sometimes people you thought were “getting it” will turn on you though you’ve invested your time, heart, and energy into them.
- Temptations are high. When you raise your hand and answer the call, Satan paints a bulls-eye on your back. Most of the pastors and church leaders who fall to immorality were good men and women at one point. Don’t think you’re any better than they once were.
Now after all of that, why would you want to go into ministry?!? Well, for one…
- There is no other individual effort that could be more rewarding. Seeing people far from God awakened with life in Christ is satisfaction enough.
- You get a front row seat to the power of God in people’s lives.
- You get to work for the most understanding, competent, encouraging, equipping Boss ever! Period.
- There is incredibly high accountability, spiritually, as dozens (or hundreds, or thousands) of people are looking to you as a spiritual example.
- The retirement plan is insane! (John 14:1-3)
- There will be people who circle around you, pray for you, encourage you, lift you up, and work with you. The joy that comes from these individuals is irreplaceable.
- Your marriage can be strengthened by the ministry.
- Your kids can get a first-hand account of what it means to see God move.
- God promises reward and favor to those who serve Him. (Isaiah 52:7)
Ok, so that’s like, nine. But my point is that there is no higher human calling. I heard someone once suggest to Billy Graham back in the day, that he should run for president, to which he replied, “Sir, I would not dare step down from preaching the message of the Gospel to rule over any nation.” If you are considering ministry full time, there are many avenues you could take. More on that coming. But if you could possibly find fulfillment doing anything else, pursue that. But if it seems like God just won’t leave you alone about it, then you might be one that He has anointed to preach His word.
Blessings,
John