Finding Your Ministerial Identity
Answering the call to ministry is a significant milestone, but finding your own way to exercise it is another challenge altogether.
Take the example of Saul, who offered his armor to David: David removed it because it wasn't his "style." David, a shepherd, had fought lions to protect his flocks. He battled with a sling and stones. Had he accepted Saul's armor, it would have been more of a hindrance than a help.
1 Samuel 17:38-40 (NIV):
38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
Later, David became an experienced warrior and military leader, with his own armor.
But three things stand out:
It's essential to have your own armor.
It's preferable to receive it in due time, respecting your growth in stature and influence.
Before receiving his armor, David was still equipped for the battle ahead, even though it seemed humanly impossible. David was also the first shepherd to become king of Israel. Without any royal background, he could have been completely destabilized and accepted everything Saul offered without question.
This biblical passage encourages us to seek our own way of ministering.
So, how does this translate practically?
A short and super spiritual answer would be: "pray and ask God to show you how." Agreed.
However, in response, let's list some factors that often lead leaders to culturally or stereotypically respond to their calling:
Being trained by only one person can limit exposure to different ways of serving. Today, with the internet, it's easier to see various forms of ministry.
Being mentored by a highly charismatic individual, highly present, has a great eloquence and leadership.
Growing up in a church family with a strong history, identity and culture.
Only visiting and inviting pastors from the same church network.
Coming from a family full of pastors (great-grandfathers, grandfathers, fathers, uncles, cousins who are pastors), especially within the same church family. There's a difference between heritage and cloning!
Being exposed too early as a minister, whether publicly or on social media. The more exposure, the more pressure there is to please and play a role, far from one's natural self.
We are beings influenced by our social environment, and these influences are entirely normal. It's important to be aware of them and seek balance. Not everything we receive in our training environment is necessarily bad. This awareness can apply to various simple questions: frequency of communion, who can take communion, baby dedications, the structure of services... Often, if we ask why, the answer is: "that's how it's always been done in our church and this is what I learned..."
Many external factors can influence a person to "imitate" another ministry or wear armor that isn't theirs. But one of the most significant reasons is not being clear about one's calling.
Answering the call is one thing, but what call? The call of a church in need of servants? The Bible mentions various ministries, particularly in the New Testament:
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Pastors
Teachers
Additionally, deacons and elders are mentioned, and considering the Old Testament, we find Levites, priests, and high priests.
This article isn't about detailing these ministries precisely - that would surely spark debate, as each denomination has its own understanding!
For some, answering the call might have several phases: responding to the call (commitment), then finding one's call (the exercise or embodiment of one's ministry).
Here are some questions/tools to help on this journey:
What fruits do I wish to bear?
Whom do I wish to influence?
Does my ministry support the Great Commission? (go and make disciples of all nations)
Do I have what it takes to be the lead pastor of a church? (a common response to the call)
Is it the right time for me to be a lead pastor? Remember, David refused Saul's armor, but later, he had his own. He didn't stick with a sling forever!
Consider personality tests to better understand yourself (your reasoning, how you relate to others, your work ethic...). God made you unique!
Regularly review (every 3 years) how you have exercised your ministry: the frustrations, obstacles, difficulties, but also victories and fruitful areas.
Accept that there are seasons, and it's okay to exercise your gifts differently.
Continue to learn and train.
Discover the richness of other denominations.
Ensure your family doesn't feel sidelined by your calling. If they do, it might be a sign of imbalance.
And finally, be steadfast in your own identity in Christ.
Supporting and equipping pastors and leaders is at the heart of Jethro, and we will continue writing on this topic. Feel free to leave a comment or write to us to share a part of your story that could edify, encourage, and support others.
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