Is Ministry a Gravy Job?

A lot of people think full-time ministry is the gravy job of a lifetime. Many seminary students think they have chosen a vocation where all they'll have to do is show up on Sunday and preach a sermon, then go back home and wait for the next Sunday to roll around. If that's you...I'm about to burst your bubble.

Full-time ministry is the most difficult job on the planet; if it's a gravy job, then the gravy is filled with gravel and broken glass, because sometimes it's very hard to swallow. As a lead pastor myself, I can tell you countless times that I have wanted to throw in the towel; those are the times when your mind starts reeling, "What else can I do to make a living?" If you are thinking about entering full-time ministry, especially as a pastor, here's some things you need to know.

1) Occupation v/s Call: Most jobs require you to show up, clock in, accomplish a task, and then go home. Even demanding careers that require high commitment can somewhat be turned off; ministry is not like that. Why? Because pastoring is not an occupation; it's a call from God. Pastoring is not a "job" it's a lifestyle; it is the highest calling on the planet, but comes with the highest responsibilities as well.

The pastor's job is constant; constantly listening, constantly repenting, constantly praying, constantly thinking about what God wants for His church. At best we can shut it down verbally; we can turn the volume down...but inside, it goes on. I am sitting on the gulf shores as I write this; my family and I are on vacation. And though our conversations have intentionally been about everything except church, every now and then my mind reels back to the ministry. That is normal. Why? Because being called is different than being hired.

2) The Pain of People: Ministry, like many jobs deal with people; and dealing with people is sometimes the biggest challenge because we are all...people. In the ministry however, you have to do more than deal with them, you have to lead them, love them and serve them. It is the responsibility of the pastor or minister to care for God's people spiritually; to grow them in the word of God; and to be the example. Is this easy? Heck no!

There are some people who will get on your last nerve; others will intentionally lash out at you as you try to serve; and yet others will promise to be with you until the end, only to walk away when things become difficult. Yet, we are called to lead, love, and serve these very people. We are not to be a doormat or a punching bag...but regardless of how you attempt to avoid contact with such people, you won't. You are commanded to lead, love, and serve people because Christ led, loved, and served people. If you're going to be in the ministry, make sure you have the fruits of patience and longsuffering bearing in your life; without them, you won't last long.

3) Mo Money: If you are entering the ministry hoping to become a mega church rockstar pastor, where you can afford mansions, fancy cars, and big homes...don't. I know pastors whom God has blessed financially and I am happy for their success; yet pastors never measure their success by the standards of the world, but rather the Kingdom of God. Your goal must always be "how many people can we get into heaven" and not "how much money can I make" or "how many people can we get into the building. This means you must check your ego at the door. You must tell God, "Hey, I am content with where you place me..." and mean it. A content heart that is focused on the Kingdom will accomplish amazing things, but a heart that is focused on self and things will nothing for the Kingdom.

What does it costs to serve in full-time ministry? Your life. You have to give up your dreams and ambitions and seek the ones that God has placed in your heart. Those are the ones that count.