Vol. 1 No. 8 The Meeting

It was that time again for the church officers to meet. The usual order was finally taken care of, when it was brought to the attention of all that a young man of the congretation wanted to be considered as full time for ministry.
He had his own plan for his salary and shared his goal and vision of his ministry. He had already been "doing ministry" which revealed a keen insight into his love for the Lord. As the meeting progressed, the Administrative Pastor (AP) questioned his need to be considered "full time ". We then began a discussion that eventually lead to the AP's concern over being paid to be in the ministry. Most of us as officers of this particular congregation had been "paid" pastors at one time or another, and now we were the "tent makers". (earning a living outside the church)
As I sat and listened to the discussion I began to wonder if this AP would be as much involved in "ministry" if she were not paid. To those of us that had become "tent makers" we knew where we stood. But to those who were still in the paid ministry they were at a loss.
Most were in agreement to 'allow' this young man to become "full time", execpt for the AP. The response from the AP was that he shouldn't have to be paid to be in the ministry.
I was shocked to say the lest regarding the AP's statement. So much to the point that I began to watch closely what the "paid staff" was doing in comparison to those of us who were "tent makers". Except for the time that we had to spend in our other vocations we put in as much or more as the paid staff did.

Well, I got to thinking about this later on when I was told that the AP of that congregation stepped away from that position and took a full time job. This person no longer did the things that they were once paid for. So again, I began to think how fitting is this. You see when the 'shoe is on the other foot' your outlook changes as well.
Just recently I heard someone speaking and a thought brought me back to that unforgettable meeting that I just shared with you. Paid to be a Christian.
For all those years that I was in the ministry that's bascially where I was. I was paid to be a christian. Everything I did I was desirous of sometype of payment. But more than a few times all I had really wanted was financial gifts.
Was I so different than that AP? It took me sometime to realize that for almost twenty years I was paid to be a christian. That was a sobering realization. Yes, I had been just as hypocritical as that AP.
Now some six years from that above described meeting I find it quite interesting at the statements of young adults who want to be in the "ministry" so that 'that is all I have to do'.
Let others pay me to be a christian is what they are really saying.
The other side of this coin is not just financial payment but the accolades we desire. Granted, we all want to be patted on the back for a job well done, but how do we legitimize ministry and accolades? Do we want to be recognized for all that we do so others will say hey that's great or even still 'man what's wrong me that that's not happening in my ministry'. We just don't realize sometime how it makes others feel that they are not seeing results. But to some,I admit, that the sharing of such 'trophies' inspires faith for them to continue keeping on.
Well, that's me---Jus Thinkin'.