One of the great joys of my life is pursuing full-time Christian ministry. Although my roles as father, husband, and follower of Christ are most essential to me, this pursuit is still an integral part of my life. As far back as I can remember, I have wanted to be a pastor.
I wanted to help people understand the Truth of God’s Word and how It can change their lives. I wanted to go out into the world and tell men dead in their sins that a Savior came to earth to save them from their sins. I wanted to reach out to those racked with grief, depression, anxiety, and shame and tell them that Jesus is their only hope. I desired to fortify Christians in their faith so they could stand firm against the attacks of the Devil. I wanted to help those like me when I was young—full of questions and eager to learn about theology.
When I arrived at college, something was missing in my pursuit. While there was nothing inherently wrong with my desire, there were two main areas in which my goals were severely lacking.
God’s Will
First, I lacked a perspective of God’s will for my life. Because I had these desires and my family and church accepted them, almost without question, I had assumed that this was what God wanted for my life. I thought that my desire equaled God’s leading. Accordingly, I planned my life with the perspective that this was all for God. I decided my entire timetable—how many years it would take to complete undergrad and seminary work. I determined where I would go, what mission board I would use, and how I would raise support. I started dating a godly and gorgeous young lady, and though she was hesitant to go on the mission field, I assured myself that God would bring her around. My life was going great! Everything was on track and according to plan.
Suddenly, God brought something into my life that I was not expecting—a debilitating illness that left me unable to walk for months. Though only temporary, God used this trial to show me I was not working according to His plan. Though I had said that I was “holding my life with an open hand,” or that I “would follow God wherever he leads,” I was devastated. I wasn’t sure if I would stand in a pulpit, much less travel to raise support. I was truly experiencing what Solomon describes in Proverbs 16:1-6:
The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.
Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
When a man’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
Although difficult to accept, I realized through that trial that I must rely on God to direct my steps. I am not in control—God is sovereign. Lovingly guiding our steps, he leads us on the road of life to places we may never have guessed that we would go. But our desires should always be to act not just for God, but according to his will.
The Church
I was also lacking perspective about whom I would serve. In my thoughts before college, I had always referred to them as “people,” or “Christians,” or “the world.” I knew I needed to reach the lost—I had no doubt about that. But I didn’t understand who I needed to minister alongside—the local church. I knew that I needed a church to minister in. How else would I find people to preach to? I didn’t understand that the church was essential to my desire to serve in full-time Christian ministry.
When Christ left this earth, he left behind the church, not as an organization of those who listen to preaching, but as those dedicated and redeemed followers of him and his teaching. Although Christ first gave the Great Commission to his disciples (Matthew 28:16-20), his commandment was not just for those eleven ministers. By their very nature, “make disciples” and “observe all that I have commanded you” imply that those who would become disciples of Christ would themselves become proclaimers of the Gospel. Those who were appointed as pastors or other ministers of the Gospel, in what context were they appointed? To be shepherds for hire trying to find people to lead? No! They were appointed as overseers of local churches (Titus 1:5, Acts 14:23)!
As I studied at college and became involved in the local church where I was a member, I realized that I knew precious little about what my desire for ministry truly meant in the context of the local church. What was a local church, and what was its purpose? What did it mean to be a pastor? How should the church reproduce itself? What role did missionaries play in the local church? What about evangelists?
Although both of these areas were vital aspects of my growth in understanding how to glorify God with my desire to serve him full-time, I want to turn my attention to the second area. Through the posts in this series, I want to explore the doctrine of the local church, specifically as it relates to those desiring full-time Christian ministry.
Soli Deo Gloria!