What do you think honors God the most, a pastor’s message, a businessperson’s sales pitch, or a stay-at-home mom's third oatmeal cleanup of the morning?
Do you think God smiles more on a pastor’s ministry than a construction worker’s labor?
These are questions I found myself wrestling with at one point in my life. I was torn because I didn’t want to waste my life. Full-time ministry or full-time professional, God—which is it? Maybe you too find yourself struggling with this question or know someone who is. Am I called to ministry?
I am delighted to tell you I am in full-time ministry today. I have reconciled the answer (for me) to these questions, and I have no regrets. The thing is, I do not work for a church or a Christian organization. Nope. I’m a pharmacist. A legal drug dealer! But I’m also a tentmaker. Scratching your head? Keep reading.
Paul Was A Pastor and a Tentmaker
Like a lightning bolt, it hit me one day while reading Acts 18. The Apostle Paul had just moved to Corinth, He soon met a Jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla, and befriended them. Acts 18:3 says Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. Wait, what? Paul was a tentmaker? I thought he was a pastor?
Paul, the greatest evangelist of the Bible, the guy who spread the gospel from Israel to Rome, the guy who planted churches everywhere he went, had a day job? Yes, and he leveraged it to do God’s work. In fact, just by doing his job with God’s intentions, he was doing God’s work.
There was my answer! Just like Paul, I could use my profession to do ministry. And so can you! How? Start by asking God what His intentions are in your job.
Here are a few more ideas for accepting God’s call to ministry:
- That next business trip? Make it a mission trip. Let God lead you.
- Your co-workers? Invite them to church. Love them. Influence them for Jesus.
- Your cubicle-mate with bad news? Pray with them. Encourage them. Be a good office neighbor.
- Your job? Do it with passionate excellence so people take notice. You honor God and make Him smile when you do. He put you there for a purpose. Don’t waste it!
Doing ministry isn’t about what you do, but for whom you do it.
God created you and equipped you to do good works for Him, no matter your chosen profession. Being a tentmaker, or doing ministry isn’t about what you do, but for whom you do it. It begins in your heart with a God-fed vision and purpose. This means you are in full-time ministry.
A Prayer to Commit to Doing Ministry
Are you ready to do ministry? If so, say this prayer with me:
“God, today and from this day forward, I commit to doing my work for Your glory, Your Kingdom, and Your will. Not for me, Lord Jesus, but only for You. Bless my work so that it may bring people to You. By Your Holy Spirit, not by my strength. I’ll need Your help. Amen.”
Congratulations! You’re in ministry. Now, get to work loving your client, co-worker, and neighbor as yourself.
Should I Be a Full-Time Pastor
Now you may be saying, great, everyone can do ministry, but I'm still not sure if I'm supposed to be a pastor full-time. I get it, and that's a great question.
First, I hope you now see that your choice isn't between honoring God and living in compromise.
Next, I'd like to offer a few suggestions.
3 Ways to Tell if You Should Go In Full Time Ministry
1. Ask yourself: How's my relationship with Jesus?
No one is perfect, but someone in full-time ministry will help guide others to follow Jesus. If there's a secret sin, addiction, or chronic bad habit in your life, seek help before pursuing ministry.
2. Ask yourself: How am I leading others spiritually today?
As we've seen, you don't need to have a title to lead people. So who are you leading to Jesus? If you can't think of recent examples, start by finding ways to help others before pursuing full-time ministry.
3. Ask yourself: What do my friends, family, and pastors think?
We're wise to ask trusted people for their perspective when we're making a big choice. So ask. Listen to their words with wisdom. Don't back out just because you get pushback, but listen to what they have to say.
Use Your Wisdom
God may tell you to pursue full-time ministry, or He might steer you in another direction. But he may also leave it to you to decide, to use your God-given wisdom to choose. So keep asking God for direction, your friends for advice, and trust that God is with you!
Reflect or Discuss:
- The writer says, “Doing ministry isn’t about what you do, but for whom you do it.” What does that look like practically in your current job, studies, or daily responsibilities?
- The Apostle Paul worked as a tentmaker while preaching the gospel. How does his example challenge or encourage you when you think about your work and calling?
- Think about the following question: “God, what are Your intentions for me in my job?” If you asked God that today, what do you sense His answer might be?
Next Step:
What is one intentional thing you can do this week to approach your work or daily tasks as an act of ministry to love, encourage, or influence someone for Jesus?