What Have You Given? A Perspective on Sacrifice During Clergy Appreciation Month

(These are my thoughts while thinking before a minor procedure. Nothing but time to ponder…)

It has been a while since I have written anything on this blog. Life has been extremely hectic. This evening, I find myself launching into a new area of ministry. I am beginning a brand new podcast/Bible Study called The Safe House Podcast. People that know me will agree that this step is a major departure from certain aspects of my personality. Yet, I am as hype as I have ever been about doing ministry.

Ministry…

Service to God and others…

Over the past several months, I have witnessed many people who have considered ministry as a side hustle or throwaway enterprise critic what it means to serve God. I would say that I am shocked or amazed. However, I would be lying. I recognize that many people have developed their own opinions about what the church, clergy, and others are doing in the name of God. I don’t blame you.

Doing anything people oriented is a messy proposition. Most people do not have the capacity to deal with others in normal situations. I know many people who would rather have a needle stuck in their eye while driving than deal with different individuals daily. But, we are called to be in community and address the dirty places before us.

If I am honest, the time that I have been serving in the kingdom of God has had its share of rollercoaster moments. I can definitively say that I have had days where I did not want to enter my office. Some moments have come where I was three good seconds from knocking people out for talking to me crazy. People will test every aspect of your being because they feel entitled. That entitlement is rooted in the fact of you receiving a paycheck from the church (that the people that raise the most hell don’t tithe or give to anyway. Did I say that outloud?).

The entitlement kills me. The overreach is overkill. The bad behavior is toxic. So why show up anyhow? I show up for the benefits package. I know you are confused. Just stay with me for a moment. Have you ever read Psalm 103? Take a look at some of the verses that stick out for me.

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

When I think about the way that people act, when I consider the manner some individuals conduct themselves, I realize that they must have missed time improving their relationship with God. I realize that most people that cause agony, strife, and difficulty are admitting they do not possess much to give the world.

Those who are called of God to this pastoral/ministerial work are truly not in it for the pay. We understand that it is a privilege to serve like this. When you are truly called, you are looking to see that the Lord is glorified in your efforts. You are looking to make certain that lives are changed, souls are saved, and spirits are empowered to do great things within the earth.

Imagine the level of sacrifice it takes for a pastor to get up on a Sunday morning, preach a sermon, make certain that the worship flows, and remains faithful to the text and spirit. You can’t see it right. That’s what they supposed to do. Ok. Hours are spent on text criticism, writing and rewriting manuscripts, and prayer. After all of that effort, some pastors have to hear through the grapevine that people did not like what they said. After that, the family is critiqued. People want to suck up so they can leech or bum off some notoriety. Families deal with unnatural strain. Don’t begin to talk about vision. Sheesh. Sacrifice is a main principle of serious ministry.

When the heaviness comes, it takes having a long memory about the benefits of God. We must remember that God is a healer, deliverer, savior, redeemer, keeper, and so much more. When people made lists about what they thought my job was supposed to be, I needed God to be the provider of hush mouth grace. When individuals try to tell you what your job is when they have never given God anything useful from their lives, you need to be able to be reminded that you are blessed as a servant of Heaven.

Don’t misunderstand this entry. I am truly not here complaining or explaining. I am declaring that we must press toward creating better environments of grace, peace, and community in the life of the church. We need to become better at understanding real levels of sacrifice compared to what our mouths and opinions suggest.

Trust me. I know many of us that have the levels of education and skill set that can make us multi-millionaires. I know I possess gifts beyond the pulpit. However, I understand what God has given me as my purpose in this life more than ever. I recognize the price paid to serve God in this way. None of this has been simple. That is why at my big age I wish to offer some ways for people to get back to respecting and honoring what it takes to be in this area of ministry.

1. Mind the business that pays you. In other words, stay in your lane. If you have never gone to school, picked up your Bible other than on Sunday morning to take to church and not use it, you are not qualified to give insight into how this thing called ministry is done.
2. Don’t get into ministry business if you are not serious about ministry. You should not formulate an opinion about this people business without being serious about achieving God’s objective for humanity.
3. Enhance your environment, not reduce it. If you want million dollar ministry, you must give million dollar hospitality. What good is it to have great preaching if the pastor doesn’t feel safe. What good is having great music if the praisers feel like slaves.
4. Genuine love overrides personal preferences. I don’t need to agree with you to love you. Our preferences are not gospel. Our focus must be the same. Our goal must be the same. How we arrive may be different, but Jesus must be at the center of it all.
5. We are all spiritual beings living a human experience. No one is perfect. Apologize when you make a mistake. Offer grace when necessary. Don’t believe that people forget. Yet, recognize that everyone will fall short. If you made a mess, clean it up.
6. Respect the call enough to give your best. If you claim that you have been called of God, for God’s sake, do your best to give your best. You will never be the pastor until the people make you the pastor. At best, you have to be a good chaplain first (thanks Pastor Bill Randolph). Respect the call enough to say that you are grateful for the opportunity to serve God. Respect the call enough to work on your sermon well. Respect the call enough to always know that you replaceable. Respect the call enough to know that God has made you itinerant regardless of your denominational affiliation. Respect it.
7. Remember God chooses not you. If you moved on your own, it will be evident.

Brothers and sisters, this call is not for the weak. It is for the willing. It is for the submissive. It is for ones with open hands. The call is not for the hustler. The call is not for the self made martyr. It is for those who honor God and answer saying here I am, send me. Give your love, prayers, and consideration to those who sacrifice and labor. Offer your support to those who commit to the harvest. Serve in partnership with those who oversee the movement of your faith community. Give honor where it is due.