Leading and Learning

Categories

When to “Ministry”

by

Madison’s question(s) to Matthew: Do you think that working for 12 years in a bank has helped you in your role as a pastor? What are your thoughts on people starting in full-time ministry right away versus having another career beforehand?

There are many ways for me to answer the first question. The first, and simplest answer to this question is yes. How is this so?

First, I am able to relate to a variety people, (particularly to those in management roles and business owners), in ways that perhaps others could not. In my banking career, I had bottom-line financial responsibilities, targets that I had to meet. I had to design strategies, get business cases approved, develop marketing campaigns and then report on the results I said that we were going to achieve. As a result, I appreciate the pressures that they face and I can enter into their world trusting that I am able to bring a Christ-centred perspective into their situations.

Second, with the size of the church I serve in, the skills I learned in my banking career are utilized and I am able to add value that others could not. The bank paid for my training that is now fully used for the sake of a local church. Interestingly, I have been told by those that serve on our finance team that I am able to “get it” fairly quickly.

Third, I developed the rigor of accountability as well as a broad view of how things can work. The world of “church” can be quite narrow. All you have to do is look at the many conferences that are offered and it is often the same key speakers that headline them. There is a specific way of seeing the world that may limit what is possible. Additionally, I have encountered many people who work in churches that don’t have a proper sense of what they are to accomplish and are also not held accountable for what they have been set aside to do. I recognize that accountability can be taken too far and that in the church we can count “external stuff” and fail to see the internal life change that is taking place. And yet we need to make sure that those who have been “hired” for work in a church are actually doing the work. My banking career was rigorous in teaching me this.

But on the flip side, the answer is also no.

My business and marketing training and development is also a specific way of seeing the world and I can forget that there is a spiritual realm that I simply can’t control. My skills are useful for my church context but would be completely irrelevant to some degree if I was pastoring in a church of 100. And my accountability to performance can cause me to miss the inner growth of someone as they suffer through pain or wrestle with who God is and what he is developing in them.

My journey is my journey. I believe that God is orchestrating something in and through me. I don’t understand all of the nuances, yet I am trusting that he has put in me what I need for this season of my life. And, if he has another place for me going forward, I will assume that my season as a pastor has been another piece of the puzzle for what God has for me next.

So, what are my thoughts on people starting in full-time ministry right away versus having another career first?

I think my last statement says it all. I don’t believe that there is any one way that is better than others. God is the one who is planning the course. Proverbs 16:9 “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (NLT) “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (NIV) “We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.” (Message)

I believe that we all need to move ahead with a humble confidence. If you believe that “paid” ministry is your next step, then take it, and do it with all of your energy. And yet, always be aware of the reasons you are doing it. Is it because you are afraid of “secular” work (if there really is such a thing for a follower of Jesus)? Not a good reason. Is it because no one else would hire you but the church had a spot and they couldn’t find someone with the real skill set they needed? Not a good reason. Is it because you believe that working at a local church is “more spiritual” and thus work of a higher calling? Not a good reason.

God is at work. His story is playing out across the world and over time. He invites us into that story. Yet we must always be willing to play the part that he has for us. In my experience, so few people actually spend the time to reflect on this. Certainly, some do it when life throws them a curve, when they lose their job, when a relationship goes sour, when sickness causes a change in lifestyle. But not many reflect on life regularly and ask God to reveal any course changes for their life.

Some will be called into ministry at a young age and be involved in this work for 40-50 years. Others will hear the voice of God at age 40 and make a significant life change. It can all be the right choice for that particular person. Let God’s story play out in your life.

For the kingdom.

Impacting Scriptures

by

Matthew’s Question to Madison: What scriptures continue to speak to you?

Of all the spiritual disciplines, reading scripture has typically been the way I most easily connect with God. That’s a big reason as to why I loved Bible school so much, and plan on continuing a more formal approach to studying the Bible.

To paint a bit more of a picture for you, when I was studying in Germany, there were 18.5 hours set aside each week to be in the lecture hall – 13 of those hours were with the lecturer. The other 5.5 hours were for other things. All good things, I admit. But at the beginning, I would get frustrated that they were taking away so many hours from studying the Bible. I got used to it eventually, but my roommates definitely laughed at me for wanting more lecture time.

I think the Bible is the coolest book around! It’s crazy to me that you can keep reading it, and still learn from it. No matter how much digging we do, we’ll never have it all figured it. There’s so much to glean from a book with so much information, yet can still fit in my hands.

For me, there have been some passages in the Bible that have stood out for me and have shaped the way I think and live – some have more recently have impacted me, and others have been glued to my heart for years. I’d like to share with you two of those verses.

Ephesians 3:14-21

This passage, in my Bible, is titled “Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth”. I don’t actually remember when I first took notice of this set of verses, but it was somewhere between 5 to 7 years ago. I continually go back to it and pray it over people, especially when I can’t formulate the words on my own. I’ve prayed it over each and every one of the 13 girls in my small group; I’ve prayed it over individual kids that I work with; I’ve prayed it over people I meet in the community; I’ve prayed it over friends from school; I’ve prayed it over my family and over myself. The words are very powerful for me! When you experience the love of God, even in little glimpses, you want other people to know it as well. But God’s love is too great for our human minds to fully understand, yet these verses are a cry to God to let us know more of that love He so willingly extends to us. Sometimes I get annoyed at myself for praying for things or for God to change something because, really, who am I to tell God what to do since He knows things at a much higher level than I do. Don’t get me wrong, God wants us to bring the things in our hearts and minds to Him, but I’m wary of it becoming a transactional relationship. These verses bring me back to the reason for it all. It all comes down to loving God, and then “your roots will grow down into His love and keep you strong” as you trust Him despite circumstances; despite emotions; despite what you think should happen.

Psalm 23

For my 23rd birthday, I read Psalm 23. It’s a pretty popular Psalm that many people have memorized, and because of its popularity, I actually avoided it – I’m an anti-trend person, and apparently it also applies to Bible reading. But this chapter hit me right where I needed to be hit earlier this year. I was listening to someone speak, and they put a greater emphasis on verse 5, which says, “You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honour me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.” When it talks about enemies, not just here but anywhere in the Bible, I never know what to do with it since I think about enemies being people. I don’t have any enemies in that sense, so did those passages just not apply to me? Or should I create an enemy for myself? The person sharing described the enemies to be internal – the enemy of fear, or loneliness, or pride, or self-centeredness, or jealousy, or [fill in another internal enemy here]. I have lots of internal enemies. But as God prepares a table for me, and keeps pouring into my cup, never letting me leave, I’m encouraged by the fact that those enemies have no seat at the table. Now whenever I catch one of those enemies trying to distract me and pull me away from the table, I call it out and turn my gaze back on the One who invited me to the table in the first place.

I could go on and share other verses or larger passages that are significant to me, but we’ll stick to these two today. What are the verses that are significant in your life?