I eavesdropped on a conversation between two older Christians the other day. They seemed to be talking about church and pastoring. Then one of them burst out; “What’s the fuss about full-time ministry? What would a pastor be doing every other day after preaching on Sunday and Wednesday?” I knew something was fundamentally wrong about their understanding of life and ministry.
Friend, you need to be prepared to give life the extra that it demands (Matthew 25:1-4). Don’t only do what is required or expected. Do more. Yes, don’t only do the minimum requirement of prayers; only praying to feel like a Christian or to fulfil all righteousness. Take your prayer life to the next level. Give extra. Pray longer hours. Fast more.
Do more than everyone else in your circle of relationship or field of endeavour (Proverbs 22:29). As a student, study more than the lecture notes you are given in class. Get to the library. Surf the internet. Gather materials. Do more! “Extramile” students are not often disappointed in the examination hall. They prepare for the unexpected. They don’t blame the lecturer for going beyond or outside his lecture notes. They study wide.
As a pastor, do more than just preaching on Sundays and Wednesdays in your church. Go the extramile. Develop other sides of your ministry and deploy other graces on your life and calling. You are more than a traditional pastor. You have a calling. You carry grace. You are a person of excellence. Go the extramile (Psalms 78:70-72). Plan programs, write books, organize trainings, look for platforms and avenues to get your ministry out to those God has sent you to (2 Peter 1:10).
As a church member, don’t just be satisfied with merely attending Church; participate. Be involved in what is happening in your local church. Find a place to serve. Be interested in the vision of your church. Contribute your own quota. Go the extra mile (Acts 4:36-37, Philippians 2:25-30, Colossians 4:12). Give more. Pray more. Serve more. Take upon yourself the responsibilities that others are running away from. Come early to church and stay a little longer when others have left. Serve your pastor, be of help. Be fully involved. Go the extramile.
As a businessman, do more than just being in business; really do business (1 Thessalonians 4:11). Don’t do business as a hubby or pastime. Face it as a calling. Take that business as a calling the way a pastor handles his pastoring as a calling. Don’t do business only to keep body and soul together. Do business to make a life, not just a living. Do business to impact lives, fulfil purpose, and make money. Amen!
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria