There is often a misconception concerning secular vs. ministry employment. There are some who feel that ministry is not a ‘real job.’ In some ways that may be true, ministry is certainly not the same as secular employment. However, serving in fulltime ministry is most certainly viable and respectable.

                One major concern in Christendom is a lack of pastors and other ministry workers. Years ago, serving in fulltime ministry was a very respectable aspiration. Pastors and other ministry workers were held in high regard and many young church goers would aspire to be like them. However, such respect for those in ministry has waned over the years. This has led to a decline in the number of people going into fulltime ministry. Another factor is that parents often look down on the idea of their children pursuing a career in ministry. They may not reject the idea entirely, however; they encourage their children to pursue other fields and training in case ministry does not ‘work out.’ To remedy this epidemic, it is important that the church calls out the called. Pastors and Youth Pastors need to preach and teach that ministry is certainly a viable option to consider. Questions should be asked of our young people such as, “Have you ever thought about fulltime ministry?” “Do you feel God may be calling you?” We cannot expect people to answer the call if we do not make the call known.

                Another issue when it comes to secular vs. ministry ‘jobs’ is the mindset of those in ministry. Problems arise when we misunderstand what it means to be in ministry. A lot of the conflict that occurs in churches is this misunderstanding of what ministry really is. Changing the mindset or attitude begins with fundamentally changing one’s vocabulary. We should examine and compare terms such as: employment or calling, job or steward, duty or servant.

                Employment or Calling. Those who serve in ministry may create a lot of heartache for themselves and others when they view themselves as employees. The term ‘employee’ gives the idea that one is ‘employed’ by someone or by an organization. Thinking in terms of an ‘employee’ we begin to think we have certain rights or that we are owed something. However, those in ministry are not employees of the church in the secular since of the word. Those in ministry are accountable to the church, but they are not employed by the church. Instead, it does us good to think in terms of a ‘calling’ vs. ‘employment.’ One is not employed to do ministry, rather, they are called by God to a life of ministry. This calling is higher than ourselves. It is greater than being employed to receive compensation. Those in ministry are called to serve the Kingdom of God and to fulfill Kingdom purposes. Serving as a pastor, for example, is the highest calling for man to obtain. God in His Divine sovereignty will work in the lives of many men and women and will specifically call them to specific areas of ministry. Unfortunately, few who are called ever answer the call. Having a sense of calling is paramount in ministry. For instance, you must have a sense of calling to the ministry you are in and you must have a sense of calling to the location you are serving. For all of my pastor friends, I ask you, “are you called to be a pastor?” “Do you believe without any doubt that God has called you to your specific place of service?” Such an understanding changes everything. With a sense of calling, you do what you do for the glory of God and not for the praise of man. With a sense of calling, you do what you do out of obedience to the Lord and not just to get a paycheck. With a sense of calling, you do what you do for the increase of God’s Kingdom and not for the increase of an earthly empire. With a sense of calling, you do not position yourself for greater prestige, rather, you position yourself to have the greatest impact. If you are in ministry, do not think of yourself as an ‘employee.’ You are not employed, you are called!

                Job or Steward. The term ‘job’ denotes the idea of being in a position or having authority. When you think in terms of having a ‘job’, one tends to be protective of his or her turf. However, those in ministry do not have a ‘job.’ They are stewards. As a pastor, I have no authority. I am not in a position over anyone or anything. Therefore, I do not have to be protective of my ‘job’ and I do not need to lord over anyone. Instead, I am a steward. A steward is a caretaker of something that belongs to someone else. The church belongs to God and Jesus is the head of the church. As a pastor, I am simply the steward or caretaker of the church that God has called me to. I lead and make decisions not because my position gives me authority, but rather, because God has placed the church in my care. Therefore, I must do what is best for the glory of God and for the furtherance of His Kingdom and not what I think is best or what will benefit me. If it is a ‘job’, I will do things that will benefit me so that I can move up the ladder or get a bigger paycheck. However, because I am a steward, I do what is best for the church so that people may know Jesus and so that God is glorified. Therefore, in ministering to people, I lead them in what is best for them and not just to appease them. As a steward, people are not pawns to carry out my personal ambitions. As a steward, people are entrusted into my care to help them know Jesus and to grow in their walk with the Lord. As a pastor, I do not feel as if I have a job. What I do is not a job. It is a calling and a stewardship.

                Duty or Servant. If in ministry you think in terms of employment or a job, then what you do becomes a duty. You do what you do because it is in your job description. Thinking in such terms leaves one to again be protective of the job or position. You have certain things that you do that no one else can do because it is your ‘duty’ or ‘job.’ However, when you think in terms of being a ‘servant’ it changes everything. If you are in ministry, you are a servant. You have been called to serve. Therefore, it is not about fulfilling a duty to which you have been assigned, but rather, it is about sacrificing yourself as a servant. Such an attitude will change how you handle various situations. Instead of usurping authority and needing to demand what others do or don’t do, you lovingly work with people and listen. In secular employment one may say ‘this is my job and let me tell you what to do.’ In ministry it is said, ‘I am here to serve you, how can I help you?’

                Thinking in such terms does not negate responsibility or structure. It is an attitude. It is how one views him or herself. If you are in fulltime ministry, how you view what you do dictates your attitude and your relationship toward others. One cannot think in secular terms and be successful in ministry. I am not employed, I am called. I do not have a job, I am a steward. I do not have a duty to perform, I am a servant. May all of us who serve in fulltime ministry do so as good God-called stewards to serve others for the sake of the Kingdom and for the glory of God.