"Your going into the ministry, right....?"

This is one of the most asked questions I get when the topic of my "pastorization" comes up. This question used to fustrate me to no end because by God's standards, I was already a minister. My answer to this question was always based along the standards that our present society that thinks that ministry is a "occupation" could dictate. My answer used to be:

1. I am in seminary and just waiting for God to "open the door."

2. I have graduated my internship and am "waiting on the Lord."

3. I am working in a church plant. (Which then the next question would be "So, your part-time then, right....?") Which would lead to :

4. When our church gets big enough then I'll go into the ministry.

So from this set of answers my conversation with the person or persons listening would severely dive south. In their eyes, I haven't made it to the standard that they were looking for, possibly even to answer a question or two. I was just a common church goer, or at best a bible student.
Which both could be, and are, admirable in some circles of our society. I would often shy away from conversations about God because of this "pressure" to fulfill my divine destiny. How absolutely lame of me...

So today, I am in conversation with a co-worker, and what do you think comes up on a Sunday morning? But of course, God-talk. So with my guard up I proceed to get involved with a person who isn't a Christian ( I assume, God forgive me if she is) about God. And of course, the question is asked... "It's Sunday right?", my friend asks. "Yes, today is Sunday", I said. " I thought you went to church." "I do", I said. And then it happens, "Your going into the ministry, right....?"
But, Instead of answering from answer 1, 2, or 3. God opens up a new answer. Its like he took over my mouth

"I am in ministry, I am a minister." This answer made her head do a double take because, in her mind, I the Bakery Manager am now a pastor, working on a Sunday. I see the wheels turning in her head. Which leads her to, "how are you a minister and not at church now." From this I got to explain how every Christian is a "minister" and has the duty to preach, just like a Pastor, the message of Jesus Christ. And then I got to explain how even on my job, I am a minister because God has put me in a place to be his representative to show the love and grace of Jesus. And from then I was able to further explain how, it didn't matter to me whether or not I will be able to work "full-time" in a church because maybe my whole purpose was to "preach" here at my place of employment. Pretty cool huh.

I just want to encourage those out there who are like me and have not "attained", either by the modern church's standards, or society's standards, the occupation of "ministry." God has shown me countless times how my education in seminary and my internship has, and will pay more dividends outside of the church alters and pews. I know that there are many who have the vision for a position at the pulpit. It will come. However, sometimes God has to work some things out in you, and more importantly use you in society, to work some things out in the people whom he loves so much. Keep up the work of the ministry.


Whip..........