Before you can pursue ministry opportunities within or outside the church, it’s important to take the time to strengthen your faith and deepen your relationship with Christ. Start by developing a firm foundation of biblical knowledge and Christian character and devote your life to prayer.
Upon entering a position in ministry, it is important to have a strong biblical foundation so you can rightly represent Christ and faithfully communicate what you believe in speech and behavior.1 Connecting with God and His Word will allow you to continue to grow close to Christ and, as a result, you may have the opportunity to gain greater ministerial skill and insights.
There is always something more to learn, so continue to be a student of God’s Word by pursuing faith-based education. For example, a theology degree can provide you with the opportunity to pursue a career in ministry,2 teaching you the skills to apply Scripture and sound theology to the context in which you serve.
Having a strong prayer life will help you to grow in your personal relationship with Christ. Ultimately, everything you do in ministry must flow from what God has put on your heart to do, and we can only know this as we surrender to the direction of the Holy Spirit. It can be detrimental to any ministry if a person does not have a dedicated prayer life. Prayer helps to provide clarity, and avoid a false sense of pride thinking you can take matters into your own hands.
Abiding in Christ through a life of prayer will allow you to hear His voice and fulfill the plans He has for you. Remember that no matter what the circumstance may be, God is there to comfort you, guide you and sustain you when you come to Him through prayer.
Passages such as 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 discuss spiritual gifts and what their purposes are. As followers of Christ, we are all given different gifts by the Spirit in order to glorify Him. We are each unique in our purpose, and together, we make up the body of Christ. Therefore, before pursuing ministry opportunities, it is vital to understand who God created you to be and the gifts He’s given to you for service in His kingdom.
For example, certain individuals are called to be bold leaders for Christ, invested in planting and leading churches. Other individuals are called to speak truth into the lives of others through teaching and preaching, while some may be called to a career of encouragement and healing in Christian counseling. In addition, some individuals are called to bring others to Christ and proclaim God’s glory and beauty through creative outlets such as worship leadership. Knowing the gifts God has given you will help guide you on your Christian ministry path.
Jesus came into this world in unusual circumstances for a king. He was born to Mary, a young girl, in a manger outside Bethlehem. Such humble beginnings set the stage for how Jesus lived and served.
Throughout His life, Jesus demonstrated what it means to live in humility and to love others unconditionally. The words of Jesus in Mark 10:45 confirm that He came to serve rather than to be served. As followers and disciples of Jesus, we are called to live as He did, serving others in all we do (see Philippians 2:4-8).
It can be dangerous when we lose sight of His humble example and begin living for ourselves. However, when we keep Christ at the center of all we do, He will guide us, take care of us and sustain us.
It is important to be involved in a Christian community that loves and supports you as you serve Christ. Finding a church family where you can serve and receive love from others provides the ideal climate for growing and maturing in ministry life. Accountability and mentoring relationships are also very important. Accountability partnerships help followers of Jesus to stay committed and disciplined in their Christian faith, while mentors offer guidance, wisdom and perspective along the journey of life.
Pray for God to provide healthy relationships around you and begin to reach out to someone who displays godly maturity in order to develop a relationship with them. A mentor can pray for you, disciple you and provide support in difficult times. Ultimately, healthy relationships provide the context for making godly decisions and pursuing a life of ministry.
Some ministry careers can take you places you never imagined and into places that can seem intimidating at first. While you may start with a certain plan in mind, God might surprise you with how He uses your life as a testament to Him. For this reason, it is important to trust in His plan and continue to look to Him for the strength you need.
Listen to Him, wait for Him, rest in Him and remember that He is at work in all situations, even when you feel discouraged or confused. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Things won’t always look exactly the way we anticipate, but there is joy and peace for each new day as we walk with Jesus along our path.
