I hear a lot of stories from people about how they hate their boss or how their supervisor is super hard to please and get along with. I, too, have worked for people through the years that have made life harder and less pleasant. An unpleasant boss can make work a miserable experience — one we often stick with only because we need the paycheck.
Although there are days I am exhausted and low on positivity, and although I am not the best at always listening to my boss, I can honestly say that by doing pastoral ministry I have the best “boss.”
Some of you will say that the main reason I’m so positive is because I get to do ministry with my husband. It’s true that working with him is the best pairing for coworkers — we do enjoy each other’s company, work very well together and get along better than most colleagues. I am truly blessed to be able to do ministry alongside my spouse, but this isn’t the work relationship I’m referring to.
The boss and leader I report to first is Jesus Christ.
As a pastor, I have the amazing opportunity and blessing of working for Jesus. My calling to be a pastor is one I received from God at a young age. Try as I might to resist this call, it has continued to burn in my heart. It's a calling that drives me to share Jesus with those around me and work to lead a church to the best of my abilities.
When God put a call on my heart and gave me a passion, I couldn’t ignore it. When He provided ways — even outside the normal routes — for me to work for Him, I must obey and follow that call. This doesn't mean that my calling — pastorate — is without challenges and difficulties. Any profession has its hard parts and difficult days, but I can honestly say there is nothing in this world I would rather do as a job and profession.
I am so blessed to be able to do pastoral ministry and share Jesus with people. I have been and continue to be blessed with a church family that affirms my calling into pastoral ministry. I want to seek to follow God’s call in my life for as long as I live and, hopefully through my ministry, be a blessing to others.
For those of us who have chosen to follow the call of God into pastoral ministry, I would implore you to remember this verse with Jesus' words spoken to humanity.
Matt. 11:28–30 says, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
We are never alone in this world and in the challenges we face. Whether a pastor or not, these words should be remembered. Jesus wants to carry our burdens and make our load light; He wants to help us through life.
If you are working in a non-pastoral position, you are truly working in the mission field. Remember Jesus' words, He wants to carry your burdens and give you rest. Take time to acquaint yourself with the best “boss” you can ever serve.
If you are a pastor, I would plead with you to find time to be connected with Jesus Christ. He should be the first being you report to each and every day. Don’t forget the calling God placed on your heart that led you into pastoral ministry. He still wants to do great things through you.
