Steve Marr.org

How do you balance a call to minister if it is not financially responsible to let go of a full-time job?  Often people contact me who are considering full-time ministry or who have shifted to full-time ministry, but are financially struggling. They don’t understand why their call to ministry didn’t equal permission to give full-time focus to it. When working through the process I talk about what the call to ministry means, and how a workplace calling may or may not be the same. This is a crucial difference to understand.

I have advised many pastors to develop a personal website. Many are reluctant to take this step because they believe this separates the pastor from the church.  A pastor may give 40 to 100 sermons a year if they preach an evening service. That’s a lot of content over ten, twenty, or thirty years.

Public speaking is an important opportunity for many to demonstrate leadership, professional credentials, and connect with potential clients or customers. Not every speaking invitation is a good opportunity. I evaluate each opportunity to determine what the Lord would have me do. James wrote, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:14-15, NIV) The key is to determine the Lord’s will.

Every ministry organization finds raising funds challenging.  While there are predictable down times during the summer, other economic influences also drain our constituents.

I work with several ministries that ask for help with fundraising.  They express their financial pressures in several ways.  “We have a budget shortfall.” “Our support does not allow us to meet our families’ needs.”  “We are a vital ministry.” “We have a dire need.”

Unfortunately, donors do not respond to these messages. They have been giving and are tired of hearing that it isn’t enough.  They may like the ministry concept, but they don’t see much effective change. Many people don’t care about what the ministry “needs;” they need to see transformational change.

All radio stations, both noncommercial and commercial desire and need to connect with the business community, but most fail. A key reason for failure to fully connect is most stations define connecting with business only on the basis of donations or advertising revenue. A true connection is multifaceted, consistent, and formed with a true spirit of cooperation.

Many business people feel that the only time they hear from your station is when you want advertising or financial support. I believe there are reasons why Christian media fails to connect with business. First, some feel business people are unclean, that they somehow have obtained wealth improperly. Scripture teaches “Both riches and honor come from thee…and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and strengthen everyone.” 1 Chronicles 29:12 NAS). In today’s society there is a lot of “we” vrs “they” attitudes regarding those with financial means. Christ taught that the only dividing line was obedience to Him.

Next, many Christian leaders have wrong motives and miss the perspective that there first priority is to minister to whoever is in front of them at a given time. This must include business people, even when the person is being solicited for support. Often, a business person has needs, genuine friendship, hurts, and spiritual guidance. Look at business persons first as ministry opportunities, and minister to those needs, and blessing will follow your obedience. God can never bless wrong motives.