Passionate Minister or Passive Professional

Those of us called to full time ministry all have “that moment.”

That moment when we were so passionate about seeing people come to know Jesus and seeing them grow up in him that we couldn’t stop thinking and talking about it. We all had that moment when doing anything but ministry seemed unfulfilling, unworthy, and unhappy.

Then we got started with it.

Somewhere along the way, though, we get into a routine. We start doing the same stuff, the same way, on the same days of the week, and it starts to lose it’s luster.

Sunday after Sunday comes.
Small group after small group meet.
Meeting after meeting takes place.
Dealing with people becomes burdensome.

And we become passive professionals rather than passionate promoters of the Gospel.

If you’re there today.
If you’re there tomorrow.
If you’ve been there.

Bring yourself back to that day… that time.
When all that you could do was His work. When equipping other people to minister in their daily lives was your passionate calling.

It really is an important mission.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:3-8 (NLT) 


Comments

4 responses to “Passionate Minister or Passive Professional”

  1. […] Passionate or Passive, which one are you? […]

  2. Kevin Burns Avatar
    Kevin Burns

    Great post. Having been in the same position at a church for 10+ years, it’s very easy to let everything turn into “work,” and not ministry. I needed to hear this.

    I think there’s also a dangerous point (a trap, really) in between “passionate minister” and “passive professional” that may best be described as “passionate professional.” It’s too easy to get passionate about your job – your role, your projects, your ‘successes’ – instead of the Gospel. That may be part of what turns us into passive professionals. Once we’ve idolized our calling itself, it’s no longer God that fuels our ministry, but our own pride. And our pride leaves us empty.

  3. It’s true.

    I am getting back to that moment, when all I wanted was to be passionated abot Christ, and minister others with that passion.

    May our Lord bless you and keep you safe, as always.

    =D

  4. Very true Jonathan. I have a guy in my life who constantly asks me how my soul is doing, and if I am bearing fruit. He helps reset me every few weeks. It’s amazing to have someone to do that for me, because we don’t often ask ourselves those questions. We all need a friend like that!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *