“…But to Minister,…” (Mark 10:45)
Definition – The Gospel ministry = the greatest calling for a Biblically qualified, spiritually mature, willing servant-leader who faithfully takes the responsibility to perfect the saints for the work of the ministry by humbly leading, nourishing, nurturing, reproving, rebuking, and exhorting — by the power of God’s Word and His Spirit (2Tim. 4:2; Eph. 4:11-13). {This is predominately describing the pastor, but most of these attributes should apply to those in all full-time ministry pursuits.}
While all believers are called to “full-time” Christian service (Eph. 4:1, 12), all are not full-time “vocationally” (Eph. 4:11; 1Tim 3; Titus 1).
While recently preaching about discipleship in a church as part of the deputation process for my new ministry, I made the following statement: I used to get indignant about how all young Christians need to be training to go into a vocational ministry. I used to preach that if you listen carefully enough, then you will hear God’s calling in your life. While that is true to an extent, we must all be striving to be 1.) Scripturally qualified 2.) willing/desire for ministry 3.) Biblically trained (seminary) 4.) called by God. I would say, let the unsaved be mechanics, doctors, lawyers, professionals – the Christian must go and evangelize & make disciples (Mt. 28:19-20). But now I realize that it does take a special call – God knows that the ministry is hard and only the called could survive the ministry. But more importantly than that, “but to minister” (Mk 10:45) is for all Christians, not just those that minister for a living. Our sphere of influence is such that it takes all kinds of skills to reach particular individuals (our own sphere). Granted, we all must be living in a way that we can reach those around us – it is our responsibility as well as our privilege to witness and disciple (great commission). We need to have knowledge, be praying, allow God’s Spirit to flow through us, and model Him; THEREFORE, the Christian school & liberal arts colleges should be preparing ALL students for the “full-time” ministry — and some will be paid for their ministry too.
I was born in Morgantown, WV — northern West Virginia on the PA border. After graduating from a Christian school in Fairmont, WV, I moved to Greenville, SC, crammed four years of college into eight, and finished at BJU with a Bible degree & speech /counseling minor in 2006, after marrying my wife, Erin (English teacher in BJJH at the time). I have owned a business, taught, been an associate pastor in 4 churches, been an administrator of Christian schools in 3 states, and now am serving in an administrative / teaching position at Appalachian Bible College in Mount Hope, WV.
Tim Rowe - ABC 