My Story

As We Begin
Since this is a blog by ministers for ministers about ministry, it seems appropriate if we would all begin by briefly sharing our "ministry biographies," if you will. How were you called to ministry? In what types of ministry have you participated? What is your vision for your future ministry? What are the two most important things you've learned about being in ministry that you would share with a new minister?

Me First
So, since I'm the one proposing all these questions, I'll go ahead and answer them. One Sunday morning during the preaching (I was maybe 13 or 14), I had one of the oddest experiences of my life. I was looking up at the pulpit from my pew, and I saw myself behind the pulpit. The thought that crossed my mind was something like, "You know, I could do that!"

Up to that point, I'd never considered ministry at all. My dad's a letter carrier. I had always told people that when I grew up I wanted to be a computer engineer. (Now, I can't remember why I ever wanted to be that; I've always hated math.) I don't know that I would label that the actual moment of my "calling," but it was the first time I had even considered "ministry" as a career option.

I'm sort of "all or nothing" personality, so I latched on to the idea. I wasn't even in high school but I bought all the required reading for a UPC local license! (As Bro. Blash would probably say, "That's not normal. That's diagnosable!") I really thought that God was calling me to home missions work mainly because I had grown up in home missions churches.

My First "Aha" Moment
Two experiences since then have really shaped my ministry path. The first occurred the summer I turned 18. I was invited, with some other young preachers, to "tag-team" during Youth Day (a Thursday) of Family Camp. What nobody outside my family knew was that 18 years prior, on the Sunday before Family Camp 1979, I had been diagnosed with bacterial spinal meningitis; I was only five days old. The saints gathered at Family Camp prayed for me every day and, on Thursday, when I was 10 days old, the bacteria in my spinal column stopped growing.

Eighteen years later I was preaching at Family Camp. And that's when I recognized that I truly was called to preach.

That was also when I decided to go to Bible college. I stayed home and worked for a year saving money, then came to Gateway in Fall 1998. My goal at that point was to start a home missions work in Kearney. However, coming to Gateway radically changed all that. I discovered an aptitude for academic biblical study (I graduated valedictorian of my class with a 4.o). The instructors at Gateway recognized the aptitude, too; in fact, Bro. Littles had me work as his "assistant" my second year and really cultivated my desire to further my theological education.

My Second "Aha" Moment
My second "aha" moment was less of a "point in time" and more of a process that occurred my senior year of college. And it wasn't just "me and Jesus," but involved leaders. Bro. Johnston approached me about "test-lecturing" my senior year to see if I enjoyed teaching in a Bible college environment. If I thought it might be something I was interested in doing, he offered that I could teach at Gateway while I finished a Master's. I taught two courses (Major Prophets--still my favorite class; and Systematic Theology) my senior year AND LOVED IT!

Now, I know this sounds like bragging, and it certainly would be, except for the realization that dawned on me in the midst of all these attentions and accolades. When I contracted meningitis, my pediatrician gave my parents all the statistics about what could happen to me. He especially warned my parents that, since I was so young, there was a good possibility I would be mentally handicapped or have severe learning difficulties. But isn't just like God to take what should have been my weakest area (intellectual ability/school work) and make it into a strength?

I came to realize that Paul's words: "You are not your own, you are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your bodies" (1 Cor. 6:20) literally applied to my brain. My brain should be damaged; I shouldn't be a "good student." Whatever smarts I have are directly the result of God's mercy on me! Therefore, my passion for studying and teaching the Word of God comes right down to this one simple fact: my mind is a gift from God and I must use it for Him. I don't pursue education so everyone will think I'm smart; I pursue it so that I may be counted a faithful steward of the gifts God has given me.

Future Vision
So, where do I plan to go from here? I only know for certain that God has called me to teach. But I also realize that I can teach the Word of God in all sorts of venues--seminary, Bible college, local church, youth group. So, I came into Pentecostal Church with one quest: how can I best share my gift of teaching with this congregation? My goal as a youth pastor right now is to do my best to ground young people in the Word of God. If I become a home missionary, my goal will be to ground new people in the Word of God. If I become a pastor, the goal will be to ground the church people in the Word of God. If I have no formal leadership position in a church, my goal will still be to help ground people in the Word of God!

What I've Learned
You see, I had unwittingly defined "ministry" as "home missions" andtherefore almost missed my true calling as a teacher. I now realize that being a teacher doesn't exclude home missions work (Duh! Most home missionaries spend a good part of their time teaching Bible studies to new converts.) or, for that matter, any other specific "ministry position." The mistake I made has led me to these two key pieces of advice for a new minister:

1. Define your calling not your ministry.
The first never changes; the second never stays the same. I am called to be a teacher; I am currently involved in Bible college and youth ministries. But even if I stop working I Gateway or being youth pastor at Pentecostal Church of Creve Coeur, I will never stop being a teacher of the Word. Evangelism (winning new converts) is the calling; evangelist (itinerant preacher) is just one type of evangelistic ministry.

Let me add another difference: God defines your calling; the Church defines your ministry. I couldn't teach at a Bible college if we didn't have them. I couldn't be a youth pastor if we didn't have any youth in our Church. Which leads to the second thing I've learned . . .

2. Ministry means "service."
To paraphrase JFK: "Ask not what your church can do for you (what titles or offices could be conferred on you), ask what you can do for your church (what gifts and talents do you bring and how can those best be utilized to the benefit of this group)." I'll admit, I'm not very comfortable (or very good at) teaching the Bible to high-schoolers. But it's what our church needs, so it's what I'll do . . . and I'll do my best to get better at it!

I know this was a rather long post. Maybe your journey in ministry has been totally different than mine. Maybe God has given you a very specific job description. But, now that you've heard my story, I'd love to hear yours!