“Full-Time Ministry” Redefined
Familiar with the term “Full-time Ministry?” What comes to mind? Your pastor? The missionary family your church supports in the Philippines? A term reserved for the elite few who have given their entire lives to serving God?
I’m not knocking on those who serve in these ways (because I am one of them). However, I’ve seen some negative effects come from how we’ve defined this term. The Bible’s perspective is that any follower of Christ is in full-time ministry. It’s time to re-frame how we view this word. It’s not just for Pastor Brad who went to seminary and got his MDIV. It’s for ME and it’s for YOU! Fatherhood is full-time ministry. In “4 Truths To Change Your View on Fatherhood” we discussed that one of the main purposes of raising children is to make disciples. Here are three verses that will bring this defining truth home:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:19-20)
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” (Ps 127:4-5)
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov 22:6)
My calling is simple: Make disciples. It starts in my home. Don’t miss this men! If I think that ministry is for someone else more qualified than I am, then I’m sitting by while the Enemy takes me out of the fight! If I think that ministry only happens overseas or on Sunday morning then my kids are slipping through the cracks! Lydia and I figure that our kids in this season of life spend over 90% of their time with one or both of us! Regardless of the ratio for your family (age and circumstance determine this) these are invaluable moments to seize and use intentionally. Here’s some of the wins that we are seeing:
- Tirzah, my middle daughter, loves to pray for people now.
- Azariah is, daily understanding his sin and his need for Jesus.
- Our kids love bedtime (weird I know)! We use this time to sing, read the Bible (or Christian biography), pray and we just implemented memorizing some Scripture (which we have some sick hand motions to!).
- And both kids are building upon their understanding of who Jesus is and what he did.
Don’t misunderstand me. I’m far from a perfect dad. Our kids have bad days. As parents, we don’t always handle situations as we should. BUT we are seeing growth and I believe it’s because of our mindset: We are making disciples. Any father living with this outlook will see God transform his home. I’ve witnessed this first-hand.
This is a truth I’ve taken to heart: No one else is responsible for discipling my children but me.
God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called. And we’ve been called.
Do you believe you are the spiritual provider for your children? What would change if fathers believed they were in full-time ministry?