Ministry and Studies

[Cutebunny]

Hello all,

I need some advice regarding ministry and studying. I am involved with the youth ministry in church. We have youth fellowship every Saturday afternoon. I am also involved with the music ministry in both the youth ministry and Sunday service. I spend my whole afternoon in church.

I am also currently a masters student, and I feel that no one understands how much I need to study hard to be able to grasp the lessons, to read, and write papers and succeed.

Sometimes, I feel that ministry should not happen in church grounds. Ministry should happen in every day interaction. Discipleship happens where God placed me, like in school rather than being in church almost the whole day of Saturday. I feel that it can be used to meet with old friends who has gone away and reconnect with them.

The thing is, I am having a hard time "balancing" everything aside from the fact that I feel that Christians should not "contain" ourselves inside the church.

Does God want me to focus on my studies first? I believe that he also doesn't want sloppy work. The other thing is I have many papers and readings to do. And at times I don't get to use my time well, I think I get discouraged that is why I procrastinate, but still , I feel that even if I do, I need enough time to really master the things that I are being taught.

Aside from these, I feel that there should be more to ministry than being in church almost the whole Saturday (afternoon until evening). We are always the same people and no evangelism is happening.

I would appreciate all your thoughts on these. Thank you so much.

 

[tturt]

How great that you have so many interests in Yahweh and His church. Yes, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" (Col 3:23). Encourage you to select one church ministry or ask for a break from all of them in order to complete your educational endeavors. After all, you would be still be spending time attending church, reading Scripture, etc.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Aside from these, I feel that there should be more to ministry than being in church almost the whole Saturday (afternoon until evening). We are always the same people and no evangelism is happening.

I would appreciate all your thoughts on these. Thank you so much.

I know exactly where you are at, and you need to listen to what the Spirit of God is telling you here (if not yelling it at you, LoL). The problem with church participation many times is that they can quickly overburden you with many things God has NOT called you to do. It sounds like you have been allowing this to happen, and no one will be blamed for it but you when you stand before God one day.

So you have to take responsibility and tell your church that God is calling you to spend time primarily focusing on your studies. If they don't understand and judge you over it then just pray for them that God opens their eyes. But they will find out in the end that you were simply being obedient to the call of God on your life.

God bless.

 

[Dave-W]

I am also currently a masters student, and I feel that no one understands how much I need to study hard to be able to grasp the lessons, to read, and write papers and succeed.

If you truly believe God has placed grad school on your agenda, then you need to back off of your "ministerial" duties until that is complete. God is not the god of confusion; neither is He the author of being overworked.