Are you in the wrong ministry?
Life’s too short! Start doing what God has called you to do, today!
The following images are from an ad campaign focused on the idea:
Life’s Too Short for the Wrong Job
I think the same could be applied to ministry.
What would an ad campaign based around being in the wrong ministry look like?
[via Daily Dawdle]
joanna says
Those are great ads, but i would wonder if we should so directly apply the concept to ministry. Ministry is not primarily about finding a fulfilling and fun fit for us, instead it is about serving God and people. Sometimes being serving means doing roles that are boring or something don’t feel like the best fit because they need doing.
Sometimes we also don’t know what the right or wrong ministry role for us is. The role I’m in now wasn’t my first choice out of the open positions in the ministry. It wasn’t even my second or third choice. I decided that I wanted to serve in the ministry so took the role I was asked to do even though it wasn’t one of the ones I preferred and didn’t required some skills I did not already possess. It has at times been a steep learning curve and I have had moments where quitting to do something else seemed like a brilliant idea. At those times I really did question whether God called me to the role. I am glad that I didn’t go hunting for a “better” role in the times when the role got hard or seemed like a terrible fit. I have learned a lot of useful things and grown spiritually through sticking it out. I’ve at times been able to see how what I do impacts positively on other people. By sticking it out I’ve also developed some wonderful close friendships that might not have happened (or at least not to the same degree) had I not stayed. All this makes the difficulties of the role so worth it.
Eric Dye says
This simply highlights the fact that if you are not in the ministry role God wants you, you will be miserable. Just as you have pointed out, if you are where God wants you, you will find it very fulfilling! 🙂
joanna says
To clarify, my point was that while the role feels kinda fulfilling now, it went through stretches where it was rather frustrating and not at all fulfilling. I think you can be exactly where God wants you to be and be bored, frustrated or miserable for a time. If I had acted on the assumption that the stretch of miserableness meant I should leave for something else, I never would have made it through to the blessings on the other side.
summer says
I have served in ministry for years, mostly volunteer, but also staff and one thing I’ve learned is that there will ALWAYS be work to do, ALWAYS! Some very important questions to ask oneself: the “why” behind it, am I doing this truly for God or due to fear of man issues (fear of: failure, disappointing others, or for praise of self), have I lost sight & passion (has it just become another job to pay or not pay the bills). The second question is; “am I being fruitful or just busy?” Do you joyfully delegate and release others to use their talents or must you control everything, robbing others of their opportunity to serve and grow? Lastly and ironically the one not uncommonly overlooked is, are you treating people the way you would want to be treated? Sometimes we can be so focused on us doing our “job” that we forget the Bible basics per reflecting and pointing to Jesus, because at the end of the day that’s what its all about.
Eric Dye says
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Mark says
This weekend I found myself in a very unusual place. I was asking God what on earth he was up to! 9 Months ago the job I am now in appeared on the horizon. We prayed about it and felt that it was God calling me in to this very diffrent job. It was going to be a challenge and a career change. On Friday I was told during my review that despite my giving everything I’ve got, it was not going to work out….
eh?
what?
I truly felt that God was calling me into this job and yet he seems to have other plans yet again…
Mark says
In fairness I also need to say that I have not enjoyed the job and in some ways its a relief!
Eric Dye says
He’s looking out for you Brother!
JP says
I am serving as a life group facilitator and I dread it every week. I prepare vigorously but still struggle. I do not find one ounce of fulfillment or enjoyment from it. Is it wrong to feel this way?