PreachingHelp.org I recently read a survey conducted by the Jenkins Institute that I found rather disturbing. I know that by commenting on the findings, some may accuse me of insensitivity or having a lack of compassion. May I assure you that what I have to say is not motivated by a lack of compassion, but rather, is intended to encourage men in ministry by helping them refocus.
The survey asked, “Have you given real, serious consideration to quitting being in full-time ministry within the last year?” Of the 240 preachers who answered this survey thus far, 47% said they had given real, serious consideration to quitting full-time ministry. I was surprised by that response. But now, here’s the tricky part. I don’t wish to minimize the difficulties of ministry, but at the same time, I’d like to offer some perspective.
To those in ministry, or considering going into ministry, can I offer some advice from one who understands what a life of ministry looks like and the challenges it brings?
Make a Commitment to Serve God for Nothing (Job 1:8). Satan didn’t think Job had enough integrity to do that. He assumed that if he was allowed to bring hardship and pain into Job’s life, Job would crumble. But he was wrong. Job suffered like no one I have ever known. He lost everything…except his integrity (Job 27:5). I challenge those of us in ministry or entering ministry to prepare our hearts ahead of time, to not allow hardship, sorrow, loss, and betrayal to stop us from using our lives in service to God. Determine that your ministry isn’t contingent. It isn’t contingent upon being treated fairly, with respect, and kindness. Determine ahead of time that you don’t need the praise of men, compliments, or recognition. Determine ahead of time that you will do the Lord’s work in the midst of apathy and even open opposition. Let us commit ourselves to serve God for nothing!
Remember the Way People Respond to Us Has No Correlation as to Whether or Not God Needs Us. Decide to respond positively to God’s request. Isaiah responded by saying, “Here am I, send me” (Isaiah 6:8), whereas Moses initially responded to God by saying, “Here am I, send Aaron” (Exodus 4:13-14). It’s not difficult to see which one chose most wisely. Again, how people behave, respond to truth, and respect our work should have nothing to do with our response to God’s request for men who will “stand in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30). God doesn’t intrinsically need us, but in his scheme of redemption, he has chosen to need us. Don’t let him down!
Remember What God has Done for Us. We are debtors, and that should motivate us, as it did Paul (Romans 1:14-16). Again, I don’t mean to minimize the amount of hurt and hardship one may encounter in ministry, because I have faced hardships too. I know a bit about disappointment, criticism, having enemies, and frustration. But I feel like Joseph when he named his son, saying, “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house” (Genesis 41:51). Find strength and encouragement in the goodness of God!
Brother’s, don’t throw in the towel, the world needs you, the church needs you, and God needs you. Don’t look to people for strength, endurance, and longevity in your ministry; look to God and you will find them. Determine to “serve God for nothing,” and fulfill your ministry (2 Timothy 4:5).
Steve,
I always look forward to reading your posts. There is lots that I like about this one, especially the main point – our being committed to serve God for nothing. All-in-all, though, I find this post disturbing.
You seem to equate committed service to God with “full-time ministry.” This bothers me particularly because in our (American) culture “full-time” has become an idiom for deriving all of one’s income from the financial support of others. Indeed, anymore, “full-time” is more about money received than time given.
Were those who made up the 47% all giving “real, serious consideration” to abandoning the Lord and His service? Surely not. Even if some were, to suggest that they were all thinking of “throwing in the towel” of ministry is a judgmental, unjust generalization. One does not have to be fully supported financially to “do the work of an evangelist.”
Your post would denigrate even the apostle Paul! Is he to be admired or pitied, esteemed or disparaged for those times in Ephesus, Corinth, Thessalonica and elsewhere that he chose not to be supported but instead worked with his own hands? I suggest that Paul is a model of what it truly means to be willing to serve God for nothing.
Fulfilling our ministry is all about service. Not money. Rather than denigrating those who decide to forgo all or some financial support, we should instead encourage God’s people in this country to esteem them equally with their fully-supported comrades.