When you go to a Christian college, chances are they are strongly encouraging you to be involved in a ministry. Many colleges and universities even make it a requirement in order for you to receive a diploma from them. Ministry is indeed important. It should be something that we make a priority because we want to see everyone saved.
But what is our motivation?
Is it a school that requires it for graduation? Because your church won’t allow you to be a member if you aren’t involved? Because you want to look like a good Christian? Because you feel guilty if you aren’t helping in a ministry? I think that we need to take a step back and ask ourselves what does it mean to be ministry minded. Furthermore, I think we need to ask ourselves what is the reasoning behind it?
Clarks Summit University has a major focus on ministry. They strive for their students to be involved in local churches and the community. In chapel, we are often reminded of the importance of being involved and making the ministry our focus, and not just our careers. Careers are important of course, but we should be looking at our careers as a way of ministering to others as well. There are endless possibilities in reaching the lost.
As a graduate of this university, I felt that this was an important worldview to have. I am glad that I was able to attend the school to build a solid foundation of my faith. I have grown up in a Christian home and attending church. But there was a lot that I still needed to learn and things that I needed to think through for myself. Going through five theology classes really helped me understand why I believe what I believe, instead of accepting everything that I hear in church as truth. I want to be able to use my career field as my mission field.
Yet, after attending many Bible classes, theology classes, and chapel five days a week, I felt that there was something missing. I knew what it meant to be ministry minded, I also knew why I should be. But I found myself questioning what is my reasoning? I became involved in a small ministry at the church I attended while at school, and I tried to be involved in the community. But there were often times when I wondered why I was doing it. In my head, I reasoned that I was doing it because as a part of the Body I know that I need to be involved. When I really thought about it, though, I realized that I was only doing it because I had to do it for college credit. As a result, that took the joy out of the ministry.
I am not saying that Clarks Summit has the wrong ideas about ministry, nor am I wanting to place blame on them. The fault lies with me — I had the wrong motive for joining a ministry. I understand the importance that the school places on ministry, and the same for churches. If there are no helpers then how will they ever accomplish spreading the Word? But before you dive into a ministry, please ask yourself if you are being called to it. Is this something that God wants you to do? What is your reasoning for joining this ministry? Will it glorify God if you join, or will it glorify you? If you want to be a ministry minded person, that means that you should be constantly asking for God’s direction for your life. Often times, you may your own idea of where, when, or how you want to serve. But God may have a different plan in store. Please don’t make a ministry minded life your only purpose in life where all that you care about is saving another lost soul. Saving souls is not your job, only Christ can save. Your ministry is to lead a life that points to Him.
