Being in the life of ministry, we can all probably remember
the first time we felt the yearning to fulfill a life of ministry. It’s a
desire inside of us that won’t let us rest and grows stronger and stronger each
day. It’s a fire that continues to burn within us, and continues to build and
build as if we are about to burst. Then one day, we sit down and decide, “God I
will stop fighting this. I will stop being in fear. I will accept your call.” I
think that we all have been there and can probably remember the day when we
decided to walk in God’s calling for our lives. I still remember mine. I also remember the fear that came inside of
me as well.
Usually our fears tie into the expectations we think will
come with the life of ministry and if we will truly be able to fulfill them.
When we think of ministry, we think of our pastor. We think of major leaders in
our church, community, and television ministries. We see the expectations on them by others and
the responsibilities they have as a Shepherd of God’s sheep. We see the big
picture and think, “There is no way I can do all of that God. There is no way I
can be a person of leadership in that capacity.” We immediately compare our
lives to others and assume we could never pick up the task. Well, you are
absolutely right. You can never be that person you are seeing. Why? Because
that is their calling and not yours. God has a specific calling over your life
and a plan made just for you. He didn’t call you to be this or that pastor. He
didn’t call you to go to the capacity of others you see around you. He called
you to be YOU. Being fearful of the call to ministry can come in many forms but
they are generally in the same context. There are some common fears and some
ways to combat those fears. God has placed a yearning inside of you. A plan that
you and only you can fulfill. Don’t let your fears stop you from what He has
called you to do!
1. Break All Comparisons
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before
I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated
you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Don’t look at other’s plans
or journeys and compare. Your journey will be different. Your calling will be
different. Your timetable may be different as well. He has an appointed message
and ministry in us all and He doesn’t need us all doing the same things. He has
made you unique and needs you to fulfill your unique calling. When you begin to
compare others callings to your own, and begin to envy, you are belittling your
own calling as if it is not sufficient enough. Your calling has a specific
purpose and the need is out there. Don’t forsake your calling trying to be like
others
2. Don’t Let Your Gender, Age, Race, or
Marital Status Stop You
Romans 15:7
“Therefore,
accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given
glory.”
Being a single, African-American woman, it’s easy for me to
shy away from the life of ministry because you rarely see single, African-American
women in leadership ministry roles. If you truly look at the ministry world,
women in ministry are usually pastor’s wives, or in vocational roles such as
administrative, children-related, or events coordination. You rarely see women
in pastoral positions. Not only is this lack of minority presence accounted for
in African-American community, but all races of women, as well as those that
are single or of a young age. Don’t let your diversity stop you! If you fall
into any of the minority categories in the pastoral field, this should be the
one thing that actually pushes you to fulfill your calling! It is a gap that
needs to be filled. Don’t let the lack of your kind put you in fear, but let it
push you to break the mold and minister. There is someone out there looking to
be encouraged by someone just like you!
3.
Don’t Let
the Fear of Perfection Stop You
Romans 3: 23-24
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ
Jesus.”
Being
in any leadership role comes with the responsibility of being a light to
others. Though God has called us all to be a light to the world, there is a
different expectation that seems to arise when you are placed in a leadership
position of his sheep. Don’t let this put you in fear of leading in ministry.
We all have fallen short of His glory and none of us our perfect. Think about
the major ministry leaders in the world today. Have there not been many who
have fallen in the walk of Christ? We are not perfect, but we are all striving
for perfection. To be made perfect in Christ. Know that you are going to make
mistakes. Know that you are going to have moment of struggles, trials, and
temptations. That is okay. God will cover you in them all and use it for His
glory and ministry. Remember, there is no temptation that isn’t common to man
that has not been overcome with God. God is forever faithful and will provide a
way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).
“Be Enlightened by His Word and Encouraged by His Promises”
-Chloe
M. Gooden
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Chloe M. Gooden
