One of the most frequent “encouragements” I have heard from pastors to those that are sensing a call to full-time vocational ministry is:
Don’t do ministry if you can do anything else…
I have made it a practice never to give that advice to people seeking my counsel. That cliché sounds good, but I am not sure it is practical, helpful, or even completely true.
For years, I resisted a call to ministry, partly because of this advice. The simple fact was that I could do some things besides ministry. I had some success in business. In fact, at one point I was extremely successful in my field. In my own strength, I found I could do many things.
What I could never seem to do on my own was find contentment. Resisting God’s call on my life for vocational ministry took me down numerous career changes looking for that one thing I was “supposed” to do. It wasn’t until I surrendered to full-time vocational ministry that I discovered what I was “designed” to do. I never knew contentment in my work life until God was my employer.
My advice if you are truly called to ministry is to do ministry, even if you can do something else. Nothing provides peace and contentment in life like obedience to God’s call on your life. For more thoughts on the call to ministry, click HERE.
Are you running from a call upon your life? Are you resisting something God is calling you to do?
The contentment you are looking for in life may not be found until you obey.
Just saying…
“Don’t do ministry if you can do anything else…”
Seriously? Pastors told you to ignore God’s leading??
But then I shouldn’t be surprised. A pastor told me when I sought his advice during one of those rough (but not htat rough) times young couples can have, “You should divorce him”.
Well… I’m so glad we both ignored worldly advice!!! See you Sunday…with hubby!
Love it Teri! Yes, I have heard that statement many times, for me and for others.
Who originally said that? Spurgeon?
.-= Steven Rossi´s last blog ..Some Quotes from #Story09 =-.
Ron, I think what many people mean by “Don’t do ministry if you can do anything else” is “don’t do ministry if you can ‘find contentment’ doing anything else.”
I get your point, but I’ve always heard that advice in the context of if there’s anything else you can do and have peace and contentment, then do it. I agree, do ministry regardless of what else you do, but if God isn’t truly calling you to full-time vocational ministry, I’m afraid you might not necessarily have peace and contentment in that.
Thanks Tim and Jason. I think that’s what they mean too, but unfortunately that’s not what they say…and that’s not the way I heard it. (I realize I’m slower than most.)
To me it’s similar to one of my favorite cliches when well-meaning Christians and pastors say “God will not put more on you than you can bear.” I would be okay with that if they inserted the words (with Jesus). Sadly, after years of counseling with people there are so many people who beat themselves up, because someone told them that statement, but they can’t seem to bear the pressure of their circumstances.
I wrote about that HERE.
That remains my most popular post BTW, because people continue to look for that “verse” or phrase by Google search, usually with the words “Bible verse that says…..”.
I think the ministry statement is similar. We need to clarify the contentment part if we are going to use that phrase in “encouraging” those sensing a call to vocational ministry.
Hmmmmmm, I agree with you. But surprised to hear that some Pastors give such advice. I would love have my entire congregation involved in something at the church.
.-= Yohan Perera´s last blog ..The power of the name of Jesus =-.
Just to be clear Yohan, this is what I’ve heard (many times) in regards to the sensing of a call to full-time vocational ministry. I inserted that phrase in the post to help clarify.