Recently someone at my wife’s business stopped and asked her, “So, your husband is a pastor but what does he actually do?”
I am amazed at how many people think that all ministers do is get to church on Sunday morning, stand on the podium and start speaking on whatever subject comes to mind at the time. Nothing could be further from the truth.
But its easy for ministers to buy into that kind of mentality and start thinking that all they know to do is preach and that they are at a disadvantage in the business world. Nothing could be further from the truth. I was one of those people who at one time thought,
“Man, if I ever get out of the ministry I am doomed to fail. I’ve known nothing other than being a minister for most of my life.“
My brother, a successful business man, heard me putting myself down like that some years ago and said, “Jorge, with the experience you’ve had you’d be able to do anything else in the world you set your heart to do.” He went on to share with me 6 reasons why ministers are so valuable in the eyes of the business world. I want to share those with you:
- You know how to address others – Whatever you do, ministry or otherwise, if it involves being in front of others you’ve managed to overcome one of the greatest fears in life. That kind of confidence is rare and priceless.
- You are a people mover – I’ve heard business managers and owners often complain how they can’t get their employees to do quality work. When a minister is able to get volunteers to do the needed tasks that make God’s church function smoothly it’s an amazing accomplishment.
- You are familiar with management and budgets – Having a decent handle on administration and financials is critical and desperately needed in any business.
- You are a vision caster – Helping people find true love, purpose, meaning, and satisfaction in the Lord meets serious human basic needs.
- You are a counselor – Listening is a rare skill nowadays. Others really appreciate someone taking the time to pay attention to them.
- You know the value of servant leadership – People will follow someone they can relate to. A minister is not above anyone else but a servant to everyone else. Approaching life with humble strength will take you far.
My brother opened my eyes to a certain value I didn’t know I had. The truth is that we tend to see value in everyone and everything else but ourselves.
When people ask me today what I do for a living and they press me to know more about what exactly all that ministry entails I simply tell them that I am a minister of etcetera doing whatever is needed.
If you’re a minister you are loaded with potential!
If you’re not a minister you are loaded with potential as well.
I’m sure that if you sat down and thought about it a bit you’d come up with several areas you’re good at. Like a Swiss army knife you are capable of doing several functions well. Start thinking in those terms. Raise your value in your own eyes and great things will happen!
In what ways have you been able to recognize your own personal value? Please leave me a comment.