Should I Go Into Full Time Ministry?
Rethinking the Idea of “Full Time Ministry”
As believers, it’s a common thought to wish we could leave our 9-to-5 jobs and devote ourselves entirely to “full time ministry” for the Lord. The idea of being free from workplace constraints to focus solely on “spiritual pursuits” can be alluring. However, as we’ll explore in this post, this perspective may not align with the biblical view of work and our calling as Christians.
We’ll study the Scriptures to gain a more holistic understanding of how God sees our work and how every believer is called to full-time ministry, regardless of occupation. By shifting our mindset, we can discover the profound purpose and eternal significance of our work every day.
God the Worker: The Biblical Foundation for Our Calling
Let’s consider how God himself is first introduced to us in the Bible. In the first chapter of Genesis, we read the powerful statement: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). This sets the stage for a crucial revelation about the nature of our Creator.
As the passage continues, we see that God didn’t simply speak the world into existence and then sit back to enjoy the results. Instead, the Scriptures paint a picture of an active, engaged God who meticulously designed and crafted the natural order. In Genesis 2, we’re told that “the Lord God planted a garden in Eden” (Genesis 2:8), indicating that our all-powerful, all-knowing God chose to work with his own hands.
This profound truth challenges the common ancient belief that gods were too important or lofty to engage in manual labour. But our God is different—He is a working God who delights in creating and sustaining His creation. This sets the stage for our calling as image-bearers of the divine Worker.
Humans as Co-Workers with God
Having established God’s identity as a worker, the Scriptures then reveal that we, as human beings, are made in his image to be co-workers with him. Psalm 8 beautifully captures this truth:
“You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet” (Psalm 8:5-6).
In other words, God has entrusted us with the responsibility of creatively ruling over and caring for the world he has made. Just as he worked to bring order out of chaos and to sustain his creation, we are called to partner with him in this ongoing work.
This means that our work, whatever it may be, is not just a means to an end (i.e., a paycheck) but a sacred calling from God himself. Whether we’re bakers, doctors, engineers, or stay-at-home parents, we are all full-time ministers in God’s grand plan to love and care for his world.
The Scope of Our “Full-Time Ministry”
It’s important to recognize that our “full-time ministry” is not limited to traditional church or missionary work. Rather, it encompasses the entirety of our lives, including our vocations and the ways we engage with the world around us.
As Psalm 104 reminds us, God actively sustains and renews his creation through the work of his people. He continues to “feed the hungry,” “give sight to the blind,” and “care for his creation,” but he chooses to do so through the hands and skills of his image-bearers in our vocations and professions.
Consider the following examples of how our work can be an expression of God’s sustaining care for the world:
- The baker who provides nourishing bread to feed the hungry
- The doctor who restores sight and health to those in need
- The engineer who designs structures to shelter and protect people
- The stay-at-home parent who nurtures and shapes the next generation
In each case, the worker partners with God’s ongoing work of love, provision, and care for his creation. Our jobs are not merely a means to an end but a sacred calling to be co-labourers with Christ in his redemptive mission.
Reframing Our Perspective on Work
If we truly embrace this biblical understanding of work, it should radically transform the way we view our jobs and vocations. Instead of seeing our work as a necessary evil or a distraction from “real” ministry, we can recognize it as an integral part of our calling as followers of Christ.
Here are a few key ways we can reframe our perspective on work:
- Recognize the Inherent Dignity of Work
When we understand that God himself is a worker and that he has made us co-workers with him in his image, we elevate the dignity and significance of all forms of work. There is no “sacred-secular” divide—all honest labor, when done with excellence and for the glory of God, is sacred and pleasing to him.
- Embrace Your Workplace as Your Mission Field
Rather than viewing our jobs as obstacles to “real” ministry, we can see them as the primary context in which God has called us to serve him and love others. Our workplaces, communities, and spheres of influence become the mission field where we can live out the gospel and be salt and light.
- Steward Your Talents and Skills for God’s Purposes
God has uniquely gifted us with talents, skills, and abilities meant to be used for his glory and the good of others. When we approach our work with this mindset, we can steward these gifts faithfully, using them to bless and serve those around us.
- Cultivate a Worshipful Attitude in Your Work
Rather than viewing work as a necessary evil, we can learn to see it as an act of worship and service to the Lord. By doing our work with excellence, integrity, and a spirit of gratitude, we can bring honour and glory to God in everything we do.
Conclusion: Living as Full-Time Ministers in the Workplace
As we’ve explored, the biblical perspective on work challenges the common notion that “full-time ministry” is limited to traditional church or missionary roles. Instead, the Scriptures reveal that every believer is called to be a full-time minister, using their unique gifts and talents to partner with God in his ongoing work of sustaining and redeeming his creation.
Whether you’re a baker, a doctor, an engineer, or a stay-at-home parent, your work is a sacred calling from God. By embracing this truth and reframing your perspective, you can discover the profound purpose and eternal significance of the work you do every day. So let us go forth, not as those who merely “go to work,” but as co-labourers with Christ, faithfully stewarding our gifts and using our vocations to bring glory to God and love to the world around us.
