Our church body and many others are wrestling right now with a shortage of ministry workers to meet the needs of the local church. Why are there fewer men and women going into full-time ministry work? There are, of course, many factors. Your present pastors recall the culture surrounding them when they were young and considering pursuing full-time ministry. There was great respect for this pursuit from family members and from the community. The thought was that there was no greater work than leading people to Jesus and helping God’s people on their journey heavenward. Do young people today experience that same family and cultural encouragement? Certainly not to the same extent. But is there really any more important work, whether you are in full-time gospel ministry, pastoring your own family and home, or serving to advance the ministry of one’s local church? Didn’t Jesus tell us to work for those things that will last into eternity? One may feel that he or she does not have the qualifications for the job, especially when reading those Paul shares in this letter. The reality is no one fits them perfectly. Most are qualifications we as God’s people are all striving to grow in. How can we create a culture where all God’s people aspire to greater service in God’s kingdom?
What is Closer to Christ?
Messages from St Paul's Lutheran Church and the Bridge in Muskego, WI