Reflections on Ministry
Full-time ministry stems from who you are and the problems you address. I will never forget the time my wife, Michelle, dedicated to raising our children while I was pastoring a church. During that time, we held prayer meetings, worship services, and various spiritual events that created many meaningful experiences. Occasionally, Michelle felt left out, as though she was missing out on what the rest of us were experiencing. In hindsight, I realize she was also in ministry because she was serving our family.
Another question to consider is: What is ministry, and what is the purpose of being in full-time ministry? To me, "ministry" is defined by the problems you can solve in each situation. Michelle now serves in ministry at the post office, while I've served in a form of ministry at the college, working in maintenance. Our spirituality does not come from the activities we engage in; simply attending prayer meetings does not make someone spiritual. Instead, we are spiritual because of who we truly are and who we are designed to be.
Because we are inherently spiritual, we can fulfill our purpose in the earthly realm by solving problems. Sometimes, this means taking on a role outside the home, while other times, it involves serving within our home. You might address issues at church or within your community, but these actions do not define your spirituality. Instead, they are expressions of our spiritual nature, which reflects the divine. Every role, whether at home, in the community, or at church, is a valuable part of the ministry.
When I hear someone express a desire to be in full-time ministry, I often wonder: Are they seeking to become more spiritual than they already are? Do they want to prove their spirituality? The truth is, you can embody spirituality while being a mechanic, a doctor, flipping hamburgers, or pursuing countless other professions. Spirituality is not confined to a specific role or profession; it is a universal aspect of our being.
You would think the purpose of the church is to help us live out our spiritual selves in the world, not just within a building full of like-minded individuals striving to connect with a God who resides within them already. So, don't stop raising your children. Don't leave your job that supports your family. Don't abandon your roles as a doctor, lawyer, or police officer.
Instead of committing fully to a segregated environment where you might feel superior to others, focus on addressing the needs around you. Aim to be the answer to someone's prayer. This doesn't just mean providing a solution; it means understanding the person's situation, feeling their pain, and walking with them through their journey. Be a full-time human being who is inherently spiritual, made in the image of God, and placed on this Earth for a reason and purpose.
Quoting scripture doesn't solve the problems faced by the downtrodden and hurting, nor does it provide food for the hungry. While good worship is a beautiful genre of music that many enjoy, it's essential to keep it in perspective and not allow it to take precedence over the real needs of our community.
Having preached many messages and listened to others who pour their hearts out, I've often found that many preachers are disconnected from the real world. They struggle to live out what they preach, especially if they live in a glass house. When I started working outside the church again, I realized how out of touch I was with real life. The challenges I faced were very different from those I encountered within my religious bubble. My alter ego began to crumble, and I discovered authenticity in the real world, rather than the façade that religion often presents. This experience of emerging from the confines of inauthenticity into genuine living (from my perspective) allowed me to become aware of the problems and needs in the world. Authentic living, in the context of spirituality, means being true to yourself and your beliefs, and using them to address the real needs of the world. This is how living out the teachings of Jesus looks—addressing real needs and nurturing my spiritual life from within.