Classified Ad: Wanted - A minister of……
Wanted:
A minister for a growing church — a real challenge for the right man.
-Opportunity to become better acquainted with people.
-Applicant must offer experience as shop worker, office manager, educator (all levels, including college), artist, salesman, diplomat, writer, theologian, politician, Boy Scout leader, children’s worker, minor league athlete, psychologist, vocational counselor, psychiatrist, funeral director, wedding consultant, master of ceremonies, circus clown, missionary, and social worker.
-Helpful but not essential: experience as a butcher, baker, cowboy, and Western Union messenger.
-Must know all about the problems of birth, marriage, and death; must also be conversant with latest theories and practices in areas like pediatrics, economics, and nuclear science.
-Right man will hold firm views on every topic, but is careful not to upset people who disagree.
-Must be forthright but flexible. Returns criticism and backbiting with Christian love and forgiveness.
-Should have outgoing, friendly disposition at all times. Should be a captivating speaker and intent listener.
-Will pretend he enjoys hearing women talk.
-Directly responsible for views and conduct to all church members and visitors; not confined to direction or support from any one person.
-Salary not commensurate with experience or need. No overtime pay.
All replies kept confidential. Anyone applying will undergo full investigation to determine his sanity.
(This tongue-in-cheek ad was supposedly posted in Crusader, an Ameriacn Baptist publication 1962)
Is this church looking for a servant of God or servant of men? A pleaser of men or God?
God’s chosen often had a hard time. It is “no fun” to be called because the fire which God will put you through may at times be unbearable. We have the wisdom of hindsight. The ancients had to walk by faith not by sight, hindsight or foresight!
Indeed these men listed below are men “of like passion” with us. James 5:17
Moses wanted God to kill him because he could not bear the burden of being God’s nursemaid for His complaining flock. Num 11: 10-15
Joshua was overwhelmed as the Israelites crossed over the Jordan into enemies’ territory. He was ready to quit! Josh.7 :6-11
Elijah ran for his life, felt alone, was lonely and depressed, hoped to die. 1King 19
Jeremiah felt that God had deceived him. He described God as a deceptive brook. Jer. 15:15-18
Jonah was very angry with the people he was called to saved and refused to do the job. Jonah 4.
We are not called to be popular. We are not called to be successful. God may provide us the answer but He does not owe us any explanation if He choses not to.
Jeremiah 18:1-6 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Romans 9:20-21 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Add comment February 19th, 2009
