Ok, it’s not really a “job”. In the sense that I get paid for a certain set of responsibilities, yes it’s a job. But it’s far from a traditional understanding of the word “job”.
Jokes abound describing pastors’ lack of work or work ethic. I’m not here to defend that. Nor will you find here juicy information about specific people.
Instead, what I intend with these brief words lies in the fact that I truly love what I do. I’d say these few things about why:
1. I really do love Jesus.
I’m not afraid to say that. And I hope you don’t take it as “I love Jesus more than you because I’m a pastor.”
I love God and it’s why I love my job. I get to help other people apply the same things Jesus has helped me learn. And, it means I get to learn from others whose lives Jesus is shaping in different ways than mine.
I love to study God’s Word. I’m glad for the Bible. I’m glad for promises I can share with people that don’t rely on the word of a human.
I’m glad for forgiveness. I’m glad Jesus forgives, and I’m glad to be able to be in a role to help others understand and practice that.
2. People = awesome.
Yes, I think people are awesome. People? Yes, people.
Some say ministry would be great if it wasn’t for the people. That’s not a joke I laugh at too much.
Do people make ministry challenging? Do I get frustrated with people? Sure. How many people remain unchallenged by those around them?
But I’m not defending a minimal position, as if the goal of people work is survival. I’m saying much the opposite: people are awesome!
Seeing them succeed. Seeing them come to faith, grow in faith, die in faith. Seeing them choose to overcome challenges and sin. Seeing relationships repaired. None of this comes without challenge, unknown, doubt, and frustration. But it’s worth it.
People are awesome!
3. I love the local church.
I truly feel pain for pastors whose churches have burned or hurt them (not literally burned, I think we’re past that point in history).
I really do love the local church – it has so many benefits! And so to respond to a calling to lead a local church provides a natural fit, foot in sock.
The church encourages me as a parent and church leadership holds me accountable for my actions. The church helps me think, gives me generational perspective, and makes me more effective in my distinct calling.
I love my calling (job) because I love Jesus, I love people, and I love the local church. After all, the church is made up of people, and Jesus is the head of the church!
Think. What should make pastors tick? What distracts pastors from full engagement in what they do?
Act. Any job can give opportunity to share eternal values – look for those opportunities and trust God to help you see how your work is His calling!