Ministry is an oxymoron

Categorized | General, General Ministry

Posted on 19 December 2005 by Tim Schmoyer | Trackback link

Ministry is somehow like one big oxymoron or some kind of ironic contradiction. It would be great if it wasn’t for the people, but somehow people is what ministry is all about. Sometimes it just makes me wanna quit and give up on a situation by moving elsewhere, thinking that running will somehow make things better. I’m not naive enough, though, to think that the grass is greener on the other side. People are people no matter where I go. The names and the faces may change, but that’s about it. At least my conflict in ministry doesn’t require me to suffer crucifixion, as it has for Someone else. He didn’t run from false accusations and sinful people, so I guess I shouldn’t either, especially since I’m one of them myself.

5 Comments For This Post

Dana Says:
December 19th, 2005 at 8:22 pm
How true that is. Too many times have I seen this growing up with my Dad in the ministry. You are in my prayers Tim. Your heart shows how dedicated to God and your ministry you are, and I know God will bless you. What a time to use to grow in Christ.
paul Says:
December 20th, 2005 at 7:53 am
Funny, I’ve been feeling much the same. Maybe it’s the time of year. I always feel a disconnect right about now. People are busy and I am one of them. It is easy to get caught up in what we do and not see the people around us. Lately I’ve just been praying, “God save us from ourselves.”
Stephanie Says:
December 20th, 2005 at 11:11 am
Tim
check out this link.
http://www.fbcwburg.org/index.cfm/pageid/247/index.html
Listen to the message called My God is Bigger Than Your gods. This kind of applies to you. I’m praying for you.:)
Dana Says:
December 20th, 2005 at 12:10 pm
That was a good link Stephanie. The thing that stuck out to me the most was, “Easy obedience leads to a shallow faith. Hard obedience leads to a deep faith.”

Tim I know God has a great lesson for you to learn, and a great deed to do with what you are enduring right now. God is using you to better his kingdom. Don’t let things get in the way. Listen to God and obey.
Listen to that link and be encouraged.
Donnell Says:
December 20th, 2005 at 3:07 pm
I got the message, Tim. You make good points.

3 Trackbacks For This Post

Donnell Says:
December 20th, 2005 at 2:04 pm
Think Christian has an interesting discussion about the reasons why pastors turn away from ministry. A statistical study was done and compiled into a book called Pastors in Transition. The Christian Century has an interesting review of the book. Tim Sc…
I Am Says:
January 28th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
has an interesting discussion about the reasons why pastors turn away from ministry. A statistical study was done and compiled into a book called Pastors in Transition. The Christian Century has an interesting review of the book.Tim Schmoyer also talks about his personal experiences with conflict in ministry. I thought about this question and then I decided to drop the statistics and go find the answer in the Word of God. [IMG =>] Read more!
When you feel like quitting the ministry | Life in Student Ministry Says:
January 14th, 2008 at 11:02 am
[…] identify with this feeling — I’ve felt it many times before (see here, here, and here) and I’m sure it’ll come again in the future. But each time there’s been a couple […]

About me: I am married to my beautiful wife, Dana, and together we live in Minnesota where I serve as the youth pastor at our local church. The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my church.