Lessons from the Outside: Why the Walls?

The separation between clergy and laity was very clear to me early in my ministry. In these last years, however, that line has become more blurred. I believe it has much to do with the language I use to describe each one and the connotations it contains.

When I entered the ministry I "surrendered to a call" from God. That accurately describes the process I went through. It was not a quick process, nor an easy one. Following God's call on my life required me to surrender my own dreams and desires to His Will.

The problem comes when we do not use the same phrase to describe how someone becomes a banker, or plumber, or stay-at-home mom. The connotation is that everyone who does not enter "the ministry" does not receive a call from God.

It is as if the call on my life was higher, deeper, or more consuming than the call of the average believer. I don't see that idea supported in Scripture.

We can build an argument that supports the reality that some callings place us in roles that carry more authority or require certain qualifying standards. Say we call that a "five talent calling" (even though I am not sure God would). The question then becomes, "Does God view the 'one talent calling' as less important or less demanding?"

Scripture says "No". That means that our calling has less to do with where we draw our paycheck and more to do with the roles God has chosen for us. He expects the same focus and the same results regardless of where He places us.

Consider this example. We believe that a pastor (bishop and elder in the Bible) will be judged by God according to how he takes care of those in his flock. Do we believe a CEO will be judged in the same way by how he cares for the employees in his business? If not then it may be time to re-read Proverbs, the Prophets, and much of the New Testament.

Even though I am no longer working on a church staff I feel no less "called to the ministry". My role may have changed, but God's expectations of me have not. My purpose is the same whether I am coaching a small business owner or a church planter; to see God's glory increase in and through them.