Anyone who thinks working for a ministry or church is a happy cushy job, never was close to anyone who has taken on this calling. From church secretary, church maintenance worker, elders, deacons, church treasurers, children and youth ministers, music ministers, associate pastors, all the way up to senior pastors; these people walk out a calling that demands much and cost them much. Their lives are not their own in ways so very many will never know.
My heart faints at the thought of all it requires. I have people I care about who have been willing to take this on and follow God's leading into this type of service or employment. I pray for my pastors, friends and loved ones, who have taken on this calling. It is a high calling indeed.
As for myself, I am asking God in His great mercy to not call me to be employed by a ministry or church. I will gladly serve God and people, by serving under leadership in ministries and I will support my leaders, but at this particular point in my life and growth I have zero desire to take on any more formal ministry than that. I just want to be a support person, doing my part, loving my congregation in prayer, helping create a place for kids to come to know this wonderful Jesus I have come to know, and maybe if there was an opportunity for a person with very little talent serving in a worship ministry. Serving is already more than I have strength for and I have asked God to extend mercy to me, and help me embrace the grace and strength for what is already my responsibility and to please NOT call me higher to be a minister in a church/ministry nor be employed by one. I am not strong enough. At least I'm not now. Not that I would withhold from God. If He calls me I must obey and trust Him to provide whatever is needed to obediently follow Him, but it will never be something I seek after. I don't have grit. I don't know yet how to love so sacrificially like that. I don't know how yet how to abandon every single other priority in my life to serve God by serving people in a ministry expecting nothing from anyone else except the realistic expectation that there will be plenty of complaints ... and to do so willingly, gracefully, lovingly, faithfully and steadfastly ... trying to never let anyone see weakness, discouragement, or fatigue.
I look back to my early church days and how gloriously ignorant I was. I was blissfully unaware of what a burden I was to my leadership, and how much it cost them when I reached out for help. I knew then I was kinda a pain, but I didn't realize how much and how frustrating it was for them to deal with people like me who think they are actually their real friends. Oh to be sure, I am extremely grateful for God putting them in my life and for the ways the fed me the word of God, listened, cared, served, helped, and so much more. Yes, I am truly grateful. But I guess I am a bit disenchanted with ministry. I'm not bitter and I'm not critical either way, really. I am amazed at how willing some are to seek and follow God into being a minister, pastor, or even work behind the scenes at a church or ministry. I can see now much more clearly than ever before, what they so willingly and lovingly give up just to create a place for seekers and followers to gather and hopefully hear truth about God, encounter other followers and seekers, and chose (or chose again) to trust God and follow Christ Jesus.
...
It is innocent ignorance to think working at a church is a joyful easy job, and it is also often misunderstood that those who do are somehow super spiritual nearly perfect people.
They are real people working out their salvation through following a very high calling.
...
I have run out of words.
...
~ ~ ~ ~
Thank you God for your faithfulness and for the goodness you have shown by positioning me under a variety of leadership. I ask God that you in your great mercy and love pour into each pastor exactly the kind of refreshment, rest and strength they need. For every person that pours themselves out in churches and ministries (seen or unseen) God may you reward them with laughter and joy. Holy Spirit would you bring a highlighting revelation to them and show them that hidden treasures in the midst of their hard word and dedication. May you grant them success and reward them with glimpses of their eternal reward.
written October 1, 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for leaving a comment. All comments are moderated and may take a bit to show up as posted.