Top Ten Signs Pastoring isn’t for you

1. You get into ministry to get rich (lol).

Yes, some people in ministry do well, but there are many (MANY) who barely get by. For every preacher fleecing a flock to get rich there are thousands of faithful pastors living just above the poverty line. You can make a living in ministry, but money should not be a deciding factor. Trust me, you’d make more $ driving a truck for FedEx, teaching in the school system, or managing a McDonald’s (on average).

2. Your Father, Grandpa and Great Grandpa were preachers, so you have to be.

Let me confess that my Grandfather was a minister, but that’s not why I’m a preacher. Truth be told, ministry wasn’t on my radar until God began calling me. I love my grandpa, but I wouldn’t make any life decision based on what he did. God can use anyone no matter their heritage.

3. The hours seem easy.

The truth is there are churches that will allow you to take advantage of them. You could do as little as possible and just preach 2-3x per week, make a few visits, and schmooze in the office. Often, this isn’t the case. Most churches will figure out what you’re up to and ask for more member care or a new pastor. A typical ministry week includes hospital visits, home visits, worship service prep, cleaning up around the church (everyone has to do it), meetings, counseling appointments, reports, etc. I am not complaining at all. These are necessary agenda items just to maintain, much less grow. Add to it the compounding stress of dealing with people and their pain. It’s relentless.

4. You want influence.

It seems so grand being on stage. People must adore the pastor because they sit and listen forever. The truth gets ugly back stage though. People may show respect in public, but ministry opens you to all kinds of criticism. Influence is rarely easy to maintain. People will question your schedule, your motives and your direction. Influence isn’t found in a title, it’s earned.

5. You feel it’s the super-spiritual thing to do.

I wish it wasn’t so, but the church often has a Christian class system. The elite (first class) Christians are in ministry. This creates pressure for every day (second class Christians) believers to rise to the calling of ministry. I do believe every believer should be involved in ministry. However, this doesn’t mean every believer is called to full time ministry. We need believers in the market place. Your best outreach opportunities lie within the marketplace. We may rub shoulders with 10, 100, 1,000+ people every day outside the walls of the church.

6. Someone pressured you into answering “the call.”

There are spiritual head-hunters out there. They enjoy telling people how many people have answered ‘the call’ under their ministry. I’m all for people answering the call …when it’s from God. I believe we should look to our leaders for insight, but if the only people calling you into ministry have never created the universe… their calling on your life doesn’t matter. If you feel pressured make sure the pressure is coming from God, not people with an agenda.

7. You are gifted, therefore you must be a minister.

Just because you can sing, preach, teach, or lead doesn’t mean you are qualified, called or ready for ministry. I do believe every believer has spiritual gifts. I have met some very gifted individuals in churches. However, giftedness doesn’t always result in being called into ministry. I hope you seek to use your gifts to honor God and build His church, but don’t assume that because you are gifted you must be called. The inverse is also true: just because you may not be gifted doesn’t mean you aren’t called. I heard someone say a while back: “I’ll take character over charisma any day.” That sums up how I feel we should measure ministry potential. Just about anyone can learn how to do ministry, but character is much harder to find.

8. You couldn’t afford Law school, but Bible College was on clearance.

Well if I can’t be a lawyer or an accountant I guess I’ll be a pastor. No, just no. First off God isn’t looking for leftovers: guys who couldn’t do anything else. Second, let me be clear: ministry has a pretty terrible ratio of what you will pay for the degree in relation to what you’ll make. I know guys with 25, 50, even $70k in student loans. Good luck paying that off with a pastor’s salary. I was fortunate enough to graduate with no debt (worked 2 jobs, parents helped my first year, low tuition). There are some schools out there that will promote their low tuition. The truth is you can get a ministry degree (not even necessary to be a minister, but that’s a different post) for less than $20k or more than $100k. My point is simple; don’t fool yourself into thinking ministry is an easy gig to get and start making cash. For more on that see reason number 1.

9. Your parents always prayed you’d be in ministry.

That is a good prayer to pray. However, God’s Word records prayers of David (OT) and Paul (NT) that went unanswered. God may have a different plan for my kids than I do. That’s the great part about trusting Him. Just because your parents prayed for you to become a minister doesn’t mean god has called, equipped or purposed you for that role. No one should be disappointed if we follow God’s direction and it doesn’t lead where they thought it would. The greater disappointment lies in

10. You want stage time.

If I’m honest I do enjoy public speaking. I love crafting a message, and seeing people respond. However, that isn’t enough reason to devote your life to this calling. I am “on stage” a few hours each week. I’m behind the scenes every day. The real day to day of ministry will wear you down if all you love is speaking. I spend a lot of time listening, reading, and planning. It’s not glamorous, but it’s ministry.