THE JOY OF MINISTRY
I follow several blogs, written by pastors, and find a disturbing trend. It seems that most of the pastors I know express only the difficulties of ministry. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I am a "glass is half full" kind of person. I have faced my own share of difficulties in ministry, but that is really a small slice of how I would describe my life.
Yes, I have had disgruntled members in my office who (in their own eyes) represented lots of others. I have had notes passed to me on prayer request cards that were critical of staff, music, sermons. I have had a few leave the church (some the local body, some just quit going anywhere). All of these things hurt. My sons have not always understood why we did not have newer cars, bigger vacations, etc. But, the good of ministry FAR outweighs these negative experiences. If one of my sons felt called to be a pastor - I would be happy for them - not only because of God's calling, but because of the joy I knew they would experience. I wake up most every day and thank God for calling me to ministry. If I was talking with young seminary students I would tell them about the joy of ministry.
Let me share a few of the joys of ministry!! This past Sunday a man I had talked to early in the week accepted Christ as Savior! A children's SS class gave me a giant card for Pastor Appreciation they had made. The church had a dinner in my families honor to show there love. Several others gave cards, gifts, and very warm words of gratitude. I can see several young adults from other places I have served who are serving Jesus today. I have been able to experience lots of things with my family. My 12 year old son has been on more mission trips than many adults. My 19 year old has been on a trip to Thailand. We have friends and all over the world.
Is ministry hard? Sure, sometimes. Is it draining? Yes. Is it fun? YOU BET! Maybe I have just served all the good churches, but I don't think so. Sometimes, even preachers need to think about the Hymn "Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done." I truly enjoy my calling and hope you do, too.
Yes, I have had disgruntled members in my office who (in their own eyes) represented lots of others. I have had notes passed to me on prayer request cards that were critical of staff, music, sermons. I have had a few leave the church (some the local body, some just quit going anywhere). All of these things hurt. My sons have not always understood why we did not have newer cars, bigger vacations, etc. But, the good of ministry FAR outweighs these negative experiences. If one of my sons felt called to be a pastor - I would be happy for them - not only because of God's calling, but because of the joy I knew they would experience. I wake up most every day and thank God for calling me to ministry. If I was talking with young seminary students I would tell them about the joy of ministry.
Let me share a few of the joys of ministry!! This past Sunday a man I had talked to early in the week accepted Christ as Savior! A children's SS class gave me a giant card for Pastor Appreciation they had made. The church had a dinner in my families honor to show there love. Several others gave cards, gifts, and very warm words of gratitude. I can see several young adults from other places I have served who are serving Jesus today. I have been able to experience lots of things with my family. My 12 year old son has been on more mission trips than many adults. My 19 year old has been on a trip to Thailand. We have friends and all over the world.
Is ministry hard? Sure, sometimes. Is it draining? Yes. Is it fun? YOU BET! Maybe I have just served all the good churches, but I don't think so. Sometimes, even preachers need to think about the Hymn "Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done." I truly enjoy my calling and hope you do, too.
posted by Steve Young at 9:59 AM
2 Comments:
Steve, a few headaches don't outweigh the joy. I would love to still have both of them -- especially that pastoral joy.
Frank,
The awesome thing about or God is that we can always find joy - in ministry or out of it. Sometimes we think we have missed it, but as the title of one of C. S. Lewis' books, we are "Surprised By Joy."
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