Sometimes I feel so inadequate in my ministry. I wander if I am just wasting God’s time and fooling myself into believing that I can do this. I try to evaluate my effectiveness, but how do you evaluate what I do? Am I cut out to be an Involvement Minister?
Well, now I am considering an adventure into more inadequacy. I’ve been praying about, and thinking about, pulpit ministry. Now, for those of you in Bowling Green, I’m not going anywhere yet. And please keep this to yourselves. This has been on my mind for a good while now. Other ministers that I trust and highly respect have been encouraging me to go this direction. The idea intimidates me… it really intimidates me, but I learned a long time ago that God will sometimes speak through people closest to you so I have been listening to these men.
One of my fears concerning my inadequacy is my age. I’m still young at 28. I had the great privilege of meeting Rubel Shelly in an airport and spending a few hours with him back in March. He said something that has stuck with me. In response to my feeling inadequate for pulpit ministry he said, “Gilbert, you are not going to feel any more adequate at 35, 45, or 55 so you might as well start now.” That has stuck with me.
Be sure to keep me, and my family, in your prayers as I continue to wrestle with feelings of inadequacy and decisions about my possible future in pulpit ministry.
You are working full-time in God’s kingdom either way. Through His love and the gifts and talents He has given us, we all have a job to do in His kingdom. He is using you in a way many aren’t capable. You have the talent and ability. GO FOR IT! If He is leading you in that direction, He has a purpose for doing so. Just keep praying that if that is the direction He is leading you, that you can see it and will take on the challenge with all your heart. I will be praying for you as you deliberate this decision. Lots of love!