Ministry is painful

When I started this blog, my intention was to write this blog as a genuine Christian. There is a lot of people who claim to be Christians who say and do a lot of evil things and misquote the Bible to justify themselves. They quote where Jesus said, "Blessed are you when people persecute you" to say that they must be doing the right thing when people hate them because they are jerks. It has nothing to do with Jesus, but when people hate them.

There is only one problem. I am a minister. As a minister, I am considered fake. Because I'm paid to care, they say. And they have good evidence. I've been this way since high school, an outspoken Christian who tried to just be different from what they always seen. I had one kid who walked up to me one day and stated, "You know why I'm not a Christian? My preacher died in a casino gambling away money he stole from the church." This happens, so I wanted to avoid those preconceptions.

Maybe I should take the opposite approach. Maybe I should write to ministers.

Ministry sucks. I recently heard a preacher say "Doing the work of God can destroy the work of God in you." This is true, especially because of church people. I hesitate to calm them Christians. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

Church people can be awful. A prof told us if we stayed in ministry long enough, some woman would try to get us to have an affair with her. Then you have church people that stroke your ego, try to be your buddy just to advance their own agenda. Actually the woman who propositioned many ministers may fall in this category or the next, the needy. By this, I don't mean those with real needs, but the guy who stops in twice a week when you're trying to work, because every snide comment his wife make brings him to tears, even if she was just teasing. They want attention, and seem to make up little things to be upset about to get it. They can solve no problems on their own, and listening to or advising them only enables their need.

And this brings us to the last and worst category that I deal with, because they are the ones that I actually deal with: the hyper critical. Some people complain about everything. Absolutely everything. It's too cold. It's too hot. They don't like my shirt. They don't like my shoes. The music was too loud, or too quiet (on the same Sunday). The sermon was too long. The communion devotion was too short. We should do more fellowship dinners. They don't like surving in the nursery once a month, but they were mad at those visitors whose baby cried last Sunday. Someone had coffee in the Sanctuary (but fellowship dinners are ok?). Everything has to be their way, even though their way only matters to them, everyone else hates their way, and it is selfish and anti-biblical.

This week a lady posted on facebook complaining about not doing enough Christmas music, because that is the only way to praise Jesus. Apparently we don't worship Him the other 11 months, just the one leading to Christmas. Because Jesus never grew up, never performed miracles, never died for the sins of the world, or raised from the dead. Nope, he's just a baby that Santa gave presents to. Nope. Just a baby. That's why church is about what they want, and everyone else can go to Hell.

Is it a wonder that Jesus turned over temple tables and drove people out with whips? Is it a wonder Paul wrote scathing letters that make up most of the New Testament? Ministry can be great. You can tell people about Jesus and salvation. You can help those truly in need, like those in need of food and clothing. You can change people's lives, teaching them to care about others needs and what they can do about it. You can ignite people's passion and help them feel truly alive and free as Jesus promised. You are also available to minister to people who were just diagnosed with cancer or who just lost a loved one.

As a minister, I wish I had more time to do ministry, and less time for church people. If you are not a minister by trade, do me a favor. Don't be one of these people. Give a crap that people are in pain and dying and you can do something about that. Don't hold the attitude that we work for you. We don't. We work alongside you. We just have the time to learn about leading and the Bible and other things that you don't. This doesn't make us better. But we do need your trust and partnership. Give us a break, help us out, and stop chucking spears at us.

A Job, A Calling

How do you like you job? Most people hate theirs, but they have to pay the morgage? I have once heard some ask, "If you could do anything, with money not being an issue, what would it be?"

I love my job. I speak on behalf of a non-profit organization. We raise money to help needy kids and their families. This month we're partnering with an organization who helps women. They try to give those considering abortion to see that there is hope. They can keep the child. Moreover, it helps those who decide to keep the child. For those that do not, they provide group counciling for those overwhelmed with grief and guilt.

We've collected school supplies for needy kids, and collected food for other things. We've given heaters to Social Services for the neediest in our community. Weekly I read to a boy who has trouble. We also organize family activities. Recently, we hired a new staff member to work with kids in areas of education. Volunteers spent the last two weeks fixing up the house they were moving into. It involved way too much of my time, and was a big pain, but it's over now.

Point is, I like my job. It's fulfilling and I make a difference. If you hate your job, consider a change. If you won't, find a place to get involved. Boys and Girls Club is one that I have partnered with that makes a real, genuine difference.

A calling

I did not intend to ever write this post, but I fell compelled right now. In keeping this blog anonymous, I did not intend to tell specifics about my career. I have said before that I speak on behalf of a non-profit for a living. While that is true, that non-profit organization is a church. I am a minister.

Now in different circles, I hear many different terms used. In the Roman Catholic Church, its a priest. Some churches, its pastor or evangelist, or many other terms. I prefer minister or simply preacher. I work at a somewhat larger church, with multiple ministers on staff. I'm not the senior minister (usually refered to as the preacher), but I still like the terms preacher, even if I don't preach regularly.

Right now, I'm online watching a sermon done over a week ago at Southeast Christian church in Louisville, KY. In the particular sermon I am watching, Dave Stone and Kyle Idleman are discussing their own calls to ministry. A call to ministry is a powerful thing, as I have experienced for myself. I fought the call to ministry, I didn't want to do it, but finally after arguing with God for about six months, I told him that if that was what He wanted, I was in.

Funny thing is, God started to use me as a minister, even in high school. With 9-11 and two wars breaking out during that time, I was often brought into conversations about matters of faith, by both students and faculty. It was amazing how much I enjoyed life once I started following God's direction for it.

Now, after going to Bible college and having several years of ministry under my belt, I still love it. Ministry is hard. If it is only a job, a person cannot make it. But to me, my calling is not about a job. Its a large part of who I am. My boss recently said was discussing salary with out finances commitee and said about me "He would pay us to work here." Its true. I love it.

I love it so much, that it has cost me. I could make more money in a secular field. What I would do, I have no idea, nor do I want to ever have to make that decision. It has also cost me more. I dated a girl who I loved for a year. During that year, I learned that she had no desire for ministry, even to marry into it. That was one of several issues. Suffice it to say, she had built up an idea of who I was and loved that person, but the real me did not match up. It broke my heart and turned me off romance in general for a few years. She could not accept major parts of who I was, with ministry being one of those parts.

The truth is, I would sacrifice more to fulfill the calling my God has given me. I would follow Him to the ends of the earth but for the asking. I have a rare gift. I KNOW what I have been placed on this earth for. I know WHY I am here. That is an opportunity not many have in this life.

I really had to get this off my chest. I had to say how much I love my calling, almost as much as the God who called me. What else will he call me to be? A husband? I don't know, and frankly, I don't care. If I have to give up the prospect of ever getting married, ever having sex in order to keep my calling, I would do that without hesitation. So if God doesn't lead that way, don't be surprised if this knight never claims a lady. In the mean time, I'll stay in the fight, sword and lance.