full time ministry

[Chris Green]

If you are in full time ministry, could you tell me the path you took to get into it.

Thanks

Chris

 

[Andyman_1970]

If you are in full time ministry, could you tell me the path you took to get into it.

Thanks

Chris

Not to be sarcastic, or start a debate, but aren't all Christians in the full time ministry?

 

[ElElohe]

I understand what you are saying here but as a matter of terms, I understood the question in the first post.

And to honestly answer your question, yes. However, not all Christians engage in good ministry. Some are bad examples. Actually, that could be said of all of us at one time or another.

Perhaps a better term would be "vocational ministry," where you spend your 8+ daytime hours furthering the Kingdom in some manner.

But I will say that not all Christians are missionaries. A better definition of missionary is "apostle" which means in Scripture "sent one." And missions is the taking of the Gospel to all nations, seeing to it that it is in every corner of the earth God has a portion worshipping Him. Not all of us are called to that (but too few take on the challenge--which is given to all Christians).

Not to be sarcastic, or start a debate, but aren't all Christians in the full time ministry?

 

[ElElohe]

My gut answer is to rephrase your question: Could you tell me how God put you there?

It's not our work. God gives us all gifts (and may we covet the higher gifts: I Cor 12:31) to function as part of the body.

Personally (raising support to serve in a small, new missions support ministry) God made it very clear this is what we are supposed to be doing now. Others in a bible study saw us working in Mobilization; the timing seemed right, I was just out of college and we didn't have anything "tying us down;" we were assigned a mentor at our church to help in our decision making without our asking for a mentor; and so on. However we have friends for whom the decision of which mission agency to go with was not easy, or where or which team or what service to be in for that matter.

God has an experience tailored for each of us. Let us live for nothing less than His glory among all peoples of the earth!

If you are in full time ministry, could you tell me the path you took to get into it.

Thanks

Chris

 

[tigerboy]

i would say anyone seeking an occupation in full-time ministry is starting with the wrong motivation.

are you a servant?

are you involved in any ministry right now (and i don't mean linked with any 'names'...i mean are you active in your church beyond showing up?)

is it about His church, or your own recognition?

 

[Andyman_1970]

i would say anyone seeking an occupation in full-time ministry is starting with the wrong motivation.

are you a servant?

are you involved in any ministry right now (and i don't mean linked with any 'names'...i mean are you active in your church beyond showing up?)

is about His church, or your own recognition?

Very good.

 

[flyfishing]

I took the long way, did home bible study course for christian worker papers, went to bible school for 3 yrs, graduated,was an interim pastor for awhile.. Then married my wife and came down as a servant to help my father in law, i am doing the bible studies and preaching now. We do have a guest speaker once a month..

If you feel God has called you, He will show you the steps for you to take. Your responsibility is to make sure your motives are right and be faithful where you are planted. Also be ready for a door to open up like with elisha who had a moment to decide whether he would surrender to the call.My experience in going to bible school was that there was an opportunity to step out with friends and a date with three female bible school students, i felt goid told me to stay home. being burdened i filled out an application to bible school. So there are steps of faith and surrender that will be required of you.


If his word is burning in your heart and you cant imagine doing anything else then you probaly do have a genuine call. Take time to speak with leadership about any advice they can give esp your pastor..

 

[Immanuel]

I came here today seeking info about doing full time ministry. It's been in my mind for the pass year. I've never spoken to anyone about it, but I just wanted to know more. For the longest time it's been in my heart is that all I long for is to do God's work because it's so exciting and life changing for people, and it's such a blessing to be able to witness these changes that Jesus will be impacting. The more I live in this world, the most I hate working in the secular world. I long to work among my brothers and sistesr in Christ Jesus.

This is the only job that is so rewarding, life changing, and something that I look forward to.

But I think the only thing that holds me back is I'm afraid of earning enough $ to survive. Cost of living in NYC is outrageously expensive. Although I know that God will provide (like he always does) I still have that fear.

I see myself doing ministry with abused women, but I guess I need more info, and guidance and input.

Thank You and God Bless.

 

[clonenomore]

Immanuel, if you are called to full-time ministry, God will provide. However, remember, we are all uniqulely created for a specific minstry. God may want you to work in the secular world. He may have a plan for you that includs a ministry at your secular workplace. Pray about it. There's nothing wrong with praying "God, you know I want to be in the ministry full-time, but I want to do Your will. Point me in the direction that You want me to go."

If you are truly called to full-time ministry, each denomination has a different path to ordination. For example, I am currently on the path towards ordination in the United Methodist Church. I have an interview with the District Committee on Ministry in 2 weeks. After that, I will have to attend a License to Preach school for 1 week. In the fall, I will enter seminary to get my Master of Divinity degree (3 years).

Be blessed! <><
Mark

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

 

[Immanuel]

Are there other positions that is full time, but not pastorial? I mean I can't imagine doing anything else, but sharing the word of God and helping people reach closer. I mean Yes, it's always what God wants and I will submit. It's been in my mind for the pass year though, but yes I am praying about it. Thank you so much

 

[kirkguardian]

i would say anyone seeking an occupation in full-time ministry is starting with the wrong motivation.

Well put!

I have met far too many pastors and ministers who view their "work for the Lord" as a "job." They routinely shop around for a better "position" at a different church or ministry. They compare their "compensation packages" with other pastors and ministers.

Many churches and ministries actively "compete" with one another for the best "candidates" by offering corporate perks and benefits, e.g. company car, paid vacation, health care plan, life insurance, retirement plan, etc. With all that "security" who needs to trust in the Lord for their provision?

Church has become big business. Unbelievers look at it and are repulsed by the worldliness of that kind of testimony.

As for me, I was dragged into ministry. I resisted and fought the Lord's calling for months, and He made my life miserable for rebelling against His calling. I knew it was the Lord because I had never wanted any part of being a minister. My daddy was an ordained minister. No thanks! In fact, I'd told the Lord as a kid, "Lord, count me out of being a pastor, or minister, or missionary. I'm going to be a successful businessman, and make lots of money, and give lots of it to ministers. But don't count on me being one myself."

The Lord had other plans.

 

[djjoyful]

Why do we assume the worse when someone asks about being in the ministry full-time?

Did they just ask how can I do ministry and drive around in a couple of Jaquars and own a home in every time zone? Did they just ask if they could be a millionaire through the ministry? All he ask was what was your path to full-time ministry!

If there is a desire to do ministry full-time could it be that God is working in the person to WILL and DO of God's good pleasure?

I personally have the same desire. I started a mobile Christian DJ service in my area a few years back, yet there is a yearning to do more for the kingdom of God. I would love to be in the ministry full-time but the opening is not yet there in my church (which is probably a sign that I have more to work on).

There is plenty of work in the Kingdom to do, we could use more full-time (meaning not working a secular job but working directly for Jesus) servants. I know Paul said I learned how to be content in famine and with plenty, that statement shows that he had concerns about his "cost of living" being handled.

Don't pretend like you don't know what Chris and Immanuel are asking. Could we Christians just answer the question?

 

[azsonshine]

I went to college for 2 years and took engineering classes. I got a job with an oil company. After quitting work to stay home with a new baby, the pastor of my church asked me to be the secretary. I wasn't going to stoop to doing that. I could make a lot more money elsewhere. For 10 years I had no need to work, but when we moved to another state, guess what? I was in for a surprise. I worked at a place that was so full of filth, I nearly begged my church to hire me as a secretary. I kept my secretarial job for 11 years and after a long time of waiting on God to pleeeeease move me on (long story), I heard about a receptionist job at another church in town. I took the position and loved it and within 8 months there was an opening in the children's department. I work full time as asst. director and I love my work. Was it a calling? I certainly believe it was and is. Did I wish for it? Yes I did, and God heard my prayers. Am I less proud? It took several years and many circumstances, but God has been faithful to work with me and change my heart.

 

[TravellingGrace]

I'm planning on going into Church Ministries at Columbia Bible college, but it seems like I might have to put it off, yet another semester because of financial situations... I know God wants me to work in the church, but I don't know when or how... I know I'm only 17, but that doesn't mean I'm to young to do God's work. I think that's found in 1 Timothy... not sure... I am going on a Missions trip to Mexico with my church's youth group through YMI, but I'm going to be going for church ministries for school, which would enable me to be an associate pastor... I know it doesn't pay well to work in the church, and that's ok by me, I know God will provide for me and that's all I need... where he wants me to be right now, I don't know where, that's a completely different story.

 

[Kristi1]

My Ministry Branches out at Kristi Ann's Haven. Since I cannot post my Ministry here, all I can do is tell you all about it. I am the Administrator of Kristi Ann's Haven. One night I was sleeping for a name for my Forum, I awoke because God spoke to me too call it ~> Kristi Ann's Haven <~ It's a Safe Haven for Everyone!

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KristiAnn