Ministry is un-glamorous, but rewarding.
Ministry is difficult; but engaging.
Ministry is time consuming,
Ministry is exhausting
Ministry is uncomfortable
Ministry brings death
Ministry brings life
Ministry brings battles
Ministry brings sacrifice
Ministry brings heartaches
Ministry brings humiliation
Ministry brings submission
Ministry brings Joy
Ministry brings discipline
Ministry brings power
Ministry is rewarding
Ministry is life-giving
Ministry is engaging
Ministry is revitalizing
Ministry is securing
Ministry is service
Ministry is salvation
Ministry is for EVERYONE
My Pastors, past and present, have all exemplified what it means to be a ‘minister of the gospel’. This example can mistakenly be seen as something that only those of us who are ‘aspiring ministers’ should look towards…but that is a little ways from the truth. You see, whether a sheep is next to the shepherd, or at the back of the pack, it is still a part of the flock; which is to say that whether you are an ‘aspiring minister’ or a ‘pew sitter’ your view of, and your proximity to the Pastor, do not effect your ability to follow and be influenced by his actions.
“Be ye followers of me, even as i also am of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)
There are those closest to the Pastor, that we may consider a ‘ministerial team’ or ‘pastoral team’, but the truth of the matter is, that this was never the fullest intentions for the church. Paul says in his 1st letter to the Corinthians “Be ye followers of me, even as i also am of Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1, King James Version) Speaking to the Church in Corinth, Paul encourages all to follow his example; with some versions translating the Greek word ‘Mimetes’ as ‘imitators’. Paul was speaking to the church in this moment – not just the aspiring ministers – or maybe…
See, a congregation where the Pastor gives, is a congregation that gives. A congregation where the Pastor loves, is a congregation that loves. And a congregation where the Pastor is a minister should be a congregation of ministers. But this is not always the case! We have shirked the responsibility of Jesus’ plans for the world, and placed them squarely on the shoulders of who we feel are a select few, chosen by our mystical creator to step in to ‘the ministry’. We have created ‘ministerial teams’ that will be the ones who go out and teach the bible studies, evangelize the lost, serve in the community, pray for people at the altar…pray for people at all…this is not the church. My news flash for us today – and if you did not want any accountability, then you’ve come to the wrong place – is that we have ALL been called to the ministry.
In Matthew 22:1-14, we see in the parable of the wedding Banquet that the king had called those which were ‘bidden’ or ‘invited’ to the wedding – they received their call. The king gets unfavorable responses, some needing to tend to THEIR crops, and eat THEIR dinner, or sell THEIR merchandise – they made light of THEIR call. Some even go as far as to kill the servants of the king; they had enough of the message, and silenced them – they ignored THEIR call. Furious, the king destroys those that would treat his servants so poorly, and moves on to others who will respect the invitation – they lost THEIR call. Those from all walks of life come to the wedding, the servants went and got ALL who they could find – they were replaced in THEIR calling. It is according to the will of the Father that we have been called, but it is according to OUR will whether we are chosen or not.
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.“
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NASB)
Please do not think that i believe that everyone needs to be doing what i am doing to follow the will of God! I absolutely believe that there are unique callings; but even though there are different operations of the same gifting, it is the same spirit. Someone may feel the urge to write, but use a longer form and publish a book on this exact topic; another may be able to operate in a way that allows one to receive the same message in an instagram post; and this means that although we have all used our ability (no matter how meager) to write, they have been in completely different ways. However, we have been prompted by the same spirit to be a minister; to go and serve the world in this way.
“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;”
Matthew 9:37
Not what you were expecting? Me neither! So maybe the message to the one who knows the calling is, step in to what God is calling you too, understanding that this does not place you above others, but that God wishes for everyone to step in to this place of servitude. To the young child of God, that believes that the extent of their mission is working and paying tithes…i hope this has woken you up! Jesus said to His disciples, that “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few,” so as instructed, i am praying for those that would step into the kingdom of God, and do the work of it. And for the one who is unsure in their calling, you are being called according to the will of the Lord; never doubt that again, because it is the will of the Lord for ALL people.
In the eyes of our Lord and heavenly Father, we are all aspiring ministers; will you allow yourself to be chosen?