I recently interviewed my youth pastor and mentor, Heber, on the topic of full time ministry. Since he works at Open Heavens full time, I thought he would be the perfect candidate! I asked him a series of questions, but the foundation question of the whole interview was "What motivates you to faithfully serve God and others in the church as a full time occupation?"
MM: How old were you when you started serving? HL: Well, I have been a volunteer since I was 20, but I started working full time at 25. MM: Have you ever been bi-vocational? HL: Yes, I have been bi-vocational. MM: Do you think pastors should be bi-vocational? HL: I don't think there's a problem with being bi-vocational, but there is nothing that satisfies me more than to serve full time. MM: How was your transition from bi-vocational to full time? HL: It was a process, but it helped me value and appreciate everything. It is a process in the heart, not an emotional drive. MM: Are there any easier jobs you would take? HL: There are easier jobs other than ministry, but there is nothing I would rather do. MM: Do you agree that your job must get you out of bed? HL: Yes. I believe that this is not an emotional driven job, but it is based on obedience and passion. MM: Is the work truly never done? HL: The work in never done. There are always things to do. There aren't any "set" hours here. You get here and leave when one job is done. MM: Do you think more people are going to enter into full time ministry? HL: I think that could be a possibility. As a business bachelor, I believe God uses talents and studies to further and expand His Kingdom. MM: What are some characteristics of someone who will be capable of serving full time? HL: Proactivity is definitely one. You always work, and always ask what's next. You have to have a heart that is willing: willing to work, willing to ask for more, willing to finish the job. You have to be obedient to those above you, and allow yourself to be mentored. Also, you have to be able to be molded. Always ask yourself, "How can my character get better?" MM: What motivates you to faithfully serve God and people in the church as your full time occupation? HL: I believe that God created us to serve others. I feel most satisfied serving. I do it out of gratitude. God gave me everything, and I want to give Him everything by serving.
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AuthorSomething you should know about me is that I used to not like going to Open Heavens... ironic huh? Because now I'm an intern there.. What a good laugh! Want to know more of the story? Here's the link: |