About the time I completed seminary, I took a position as a staff pastor in a mega-church. The attendance in the area I headed up was larger than 90% of the churches in most major American cities. While I was elated with the position and loved the ministry, I discovered over the next couple years that as soon as I identified myself as a pastor, walls shot up and hearts closed down. It was one of the biggest disappointments I ever felt. To realize that associating yourself with a cause that impacts a person’s eternal destiny was a “turn off” rather than a “turn on” blew me away. In time I realized that if I truly wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, I had to present an image of love and caring without any “strings attached.”

Now, I want to make it clear that this has given me respect for pastors and their staff that I never had before. Most people don’t want you meddling in their personal thought process or suggesting you do things any other way than the way they want to do them. Providentially, about that time a book was published called Your Work Matters to God by Douglas Sherman and William D. Hendricks. After reading it, I quickly realized that my calling was not in the pastorate, but as a minister while I continued to work as a “tentmaker” the way Paul did. For me it was the freedom to be who I am and still have access to others without the stigma of preaching at them. It also provided me with a pathway for life that allowed flexibility in areas I was not smart enough to envision.

I found a great deal of comfort in 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9. The model Paul provided renewed my passion and ability to do the financially rewarding work I enjoyed and minister at the same time. From this lesson I discovered that we are all ministers, just in callings custom designed for our personality and skill sets. I didn’t have to reinvent myself or sell others on what I could or couldn’t do. I was allowed to find peace in what The Father conceived for me.

I know some of you have struggled with God’s will and your calling in life. Although I have told you in the past, I will tell you again — don’t make it more complicated than it needs to be. Simply ask yourself what you are good at. What are the desires of your heart? Then, where do your talents lie? Once you acknowledge what those things are, seek how those desires and talents can be used in the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33), relax and watch as God brings others to you and provides for your every need. You won’t have to twist His arm or ask for more power or strength, because everything you need will be provided for you. I have never seen if fail. All I had to do was my part, acknowledge Him, honor His provision through my offerings, and stick with the agenda. It’s a formula with no down side. You simply cannot lose.

Just remember, you are already a minister. Once you were called by The Father, ministry became a part of your calling. You do not need to be a church staff member to have an impact on others for the Kingdom. All you have to do is show up with your talents and abilities and a passion to use them. He will do the rest.

Love, Dad