Through my prayer I have been struggling through, what's next. Is there a bigger calling? Is there another step. I have been taking time to pray through ordination, seminary, and just ministry in general.
This past week I met with a fellow student pastor. He is a guy that has a true heart for ministry, a passion to reach students, and a passion to embrace his calling. Through our coversations together, we talked about how student ministry, children's ministry, etc. is seen as a stepping stone by a good bit of ministers. To many, it tends to be the foot in the door, the step to get into a senior pastor position, plant a church of your own, get into a bigger church, etc. I will say that I am learning that it is not the size of the church you serve in, but the obedience the ministerial staff has to the calling and vision laid out by God. Obedience to the calling provides a better high than any "high-attendace" can bring. When it is all said and done, it wont be about how many you got through the doors of your church, but how many you impacted to get through the gates of eternity.
Through this conversation, I found conviction, and with conviction I run to find scripture. Here are some passages that I found interesting and applying to my situation:
No man takes this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, Heb. 5: 4
As I continued to search google, I came across a writing by John Piper
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2004/1271_Is_God_Calling_You_to_Give_Your_Life_for_His_Sake_and_the_Gospel_in_Missions/
In this article he addresses different factors and factions of being called into Christian Ministry. All of which I could read, pray through, and apply to myself and my calling.
Now I will say that I am called, called to serve the Gospel of Christ, and I am sure one day that will open up to numerous opportunities that God has in store for me, but what about now?
God has called me to serve the next generation. We are part of a culture that is hurting, lost more than before, and questioning things of this life and beyond. Our nation, our Faith, and our relationships with one another (both ecumenically and worldly) are under attack, i feel, more than ever.
What does this mean to me? We are on a brink, a brink of what I would call a New Reformation. Now I am not going to run out and nail the 95 Thesis 2.0 to my church doors, but I am going to serve the calling of the movement. This is a movement that will unify churches in worship, strengthen families, and breed a new generation of believers to ignite the church, like we read about in the days of Martin Luther, John Calvin, and many other great teachers and columns of the faith foundation.
So I can sum up my rambling like this.
Being called, is being called. God will ordain the time, place, and plan for the next journey. I encourage you to never look at a ministry as a stepping stone. If we are using it as a stepping stone, you will leave a footprint that will do damage for those that will follow you.
God has called me to serve the Next Generation and that Family, and to serve them in the capacity that I find myself now. He has called, equipped, and energized me, and all I can do is be obedient to the leading of the Spirit. I need to focus on now, and the future of the ministry I currently serve. I believe when it is time for the next journey, it will not be a stepping stone, but and perfect transition from one to another. My challenge, not to focus on the things of tomorrow, but focus on the battle I face today. A battle to help rescue families from a world that seeks to destroy it and other things of Christ.
Good thoughts on faithfulness. Thanks.
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