A full-time ministry position can be ambiguous. Depending on the person, the church, and the role, there are a variety of ideas about what that job may actually entail. I think about the meme from a few years back where there were six very different pictures that illustrated six very different perspectives on any given job. Taking a youth pastor for example, one picture may show what the pastor’s mom thought he did, one may show what his friends thought he did, one may show what his boss thought he did, one may show what his students thought he did, one may show what he thought he did, and then the final picture illustrated what he really did. Though intended to be humorous, it describes a reality where any job - especially one in vocational ministry - can be viewed in many different ways.
I have now been working on some level in the church for fourteen years, volunteering for seven of those years, earning a part-time paycheck for seven, and working full time now for one month. Over those years I have been involved in a variety of ministries here at Grace, from student ministry to leading worship, from operating the sound board to teaching Sunday School. While both my job description and the perception of what I do has changed significantly over time, my heart in it remains the same; and that is simply to demonstrate that a life following Jesus is the best life one can have. In the context of students (which is where I have spent and will continue to spend a large percentage of my time), that means helping them to know, understand, and see that being a Christian isn’t just a title, it isn’t just a religious designation, it isn’t some outdated system of beliefs. The Christian life is truly an abundant life with eternal benefits.
We are all called first and foremost to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; then second, to love those around us. That is my calling both as a Christian and as a pastor. It is to have a full-time faith, both personally and professionally. Just as I strive to live personally, I want to always encourage those I serve to love the Lord with their whole being and to love those around them with the life-changing love of Christ.
The only difference between my role this month and last is that now I get a full forty hours to pursue that vocational calling.
~~ Tim Wilson