A minister is not merely an employee of the church. He is a servant of Christ, accountable ultimately to God. According to Scripture, a minister is not someone hired to fulfill a set of tasks like an ordinary employee, nor is his worth measured merely by visible productivity or efficiency. The minister is, first and foremost, a doulos (servant) of Jesus Christ, called to live in obedience to God’s will and accountable to the One who called him (Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10).
I still remember the day I first sensed the joy and weight of this truth – not during an ordination or a church meeting, but in a quiet moment of prayer when I felt God impress on my heart: “You are mine. I chose you – not the people.” That moment didn’t just clarify my role – it realigned my entire identity. Ministry, I realized, was not a profession to be mastered, but a calling to be cherished with faith, gratitude, and humility.
A Calling Rooted in God’s Heart
Unlike secular professions, ministry flows from the heart of God. An employee works under a contract – negotiable, measurable, and tied to performance metrics. But a minister walks under divine commission. His work is not assigned by human hands, but by the Spirit of God. This calling doesn’t come with quarterly evaluations or board reviews; it comes with the sacred responsibility of living for Christ and serving His people.
And yet, while systems of accountability and structure are necessary in any organization, reducing a minister to an administrative functionary misses the point entirely. His worth cannot be summed up in numbers or spreadsheets. A pastor’s truest identity lies in his relationship with Christ, his obedience to the Word, and his faithful care for the flock entrusted to him.
The joy of this calling is not always found in success as the world defines it, but in the quiet assurance that the One who called you is faithful – and He will accomplish His purpose through you.
Hearing the Call Together
When the call came for us to serve in our current ministry, my wife and I were in different cities – Dimapur and Guwahati. We were at different stages emotionally, vocationally, and spiritually. But we both took the time to fast and pray, to seek wise counsel, and to listen for God’s direction. The invitation from the church was important – but it was not ultimate. What mattered most was discerning whether the Lord was truly calling us.
That season shaped our journey deeply. There was uncertainty about the future, but also a deep and steady peace. We came to believe that this was not merely a job offer – it was a holy summons. And that conviction has carried us through every season since.
The Church as a Discerning Partner
While congregations may vote, affirm, and install ministers, the true origin of a calling is spiritual, not institutional. The local church plays a vital role in recognizing and affirming what God has already spoken. It’s a partnership – one marked by reverence, not routine.
Paul said in Galatians 1:1 that he was “not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.” That distinction matters. A church may invite a pastor to serve – but it cannot manufacture a divine calling. What it can and must do is discern with spiritual clarity, affirm with reverent humility, and support with loving commitment.
This is why churches must look beyond resumes and eloquence. The Spirit’s leading must outweigh human preferences. When churches prayerfully seek God’s will in selecting their shepherds, they open the door for spiritual renewal – not just in leadership, but in the life of the congregation.
More Than Metrics
In today’s performance-driven culture, it’s tempting to evaluate ministry based on metrics – attendance numbers, financial reports, social media reach, or program success. But this is a shallow and dangerous way to measure spiritual health.
True ministry cannot be reduced to numbers. It is about transformation, not transaction. It is about lives changed by grace, not graphs on a wall. I’ve had Sundays when the room wasn’t full, when the energy felt low. But in those same seasons, I’ve seen the Lord move powerfully – in a youth rededicating their life to Christ, in a grieving widow finding hope, or in a quiet prayer meeting where the Spirit descended.
These sacred moments rarely make headlines. But they are the heart of ministry.
Some of the most faithful biblical figures – Jeremiah, Isaiah, even Jesus Himself – would not have passed a modern performance review. And yet, they were in perfect alignment with the will of the Father.
Shepherding the Heart of Christ
Ministers are stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1). That means we do not own the gospel – we carry it with reverence. We are not spiritual entrepreneurs, but faithful messengers. And the message we bear is not shaped by culture, but anchored in Scripture.
The work of a pastor is beautifully diverse. We preach, counsel, visit, weep, rejoice, guide, correct, comfort, and disciple. Sometimes we feel the weight of other people’s pain in our own souls. There have been nights when I sat at the table with my wife in silence after a long day of visitation – feeling tired, but also grateful. Because in those moments, we were participating in something greater than ourselves: the love of Christ flowing through His people.
We are not alone in our labor. Christ, the Good Shepherd, walks with us. He strengthens us. He teaches us how to serve with humility and lead with courage. When we mirror His heart, we serve with joy – even in hardship.
Compelled by Love, Not Pressure
Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 5:14, “For the love of Christ compels us.” That one verse holds the key to sustainable, joyful ministry. Ministers who are driven by popularity, paychecks, or people-pleasing will eventually burn out. But those compelled by the love of Christ will endure storms with grace.
Early in ministry, I often wondered, “Am I doing enough? Do people appreciate me? Is the church growing as it should?” But with time, the Lord taught me a freeing truth: ministry is not about performing for approval, but walking in obedience. When you live for an audience of One, you serve with freedom.
This internal conviction also allows ministers to speak the truth in love, even when it’s uncomfortable. It guards us from compromise and empowers us to lead with clarity.
The Gift of a Supportive Church
Ministry was never meant to be a solo mission. It flourishes in community. Some of the most encouraging moments in my journey have come from a simple note saying, “We’re praying for you,” or a phone call from a member who just wanted to say thank you. These moments don’t always make headlines – but they are powerful reminders that the Church is alive, responsive, and grace-filled.
Hebrews 13:17 calls the Church to honor their leaders – not blindly, but respectfully. A healthy church doesn’t idolize its pastor, but it also doesn’t undervalue him. When there is mutual respect, open communication, and a shared devotion to Christ, the entire body is strengthened.
A Bold Pulpit and a Courageous Church
We live in a time when it’s tempting to soften the gospel, to avoid controversy, and to water down conviction for the sake of approval. But a pulpit stripped of truth is no pulpit at all.
The world doesn’t need churches that mirror its confusion – it needs churches that embody clarity. That means pulpits that are bold, biblical, and filled with grace. A pastor who speaks the truth with love is a gift to the church, and a sign of God’s mercy to the world.
When pastors are encouraged to lead with integrity – and when churches commit to following with humility – something powerful happens. Revival takes root. Discipleship deepens. Lives are changed.
From Contract to Covenant
The relationship between pastor and church must be more than a professional arrangement – it must be a covenant. A covenant binds both parties not by preferences, but by purpose. The pastor serves in love; the church responds with trust. Together, they journey in mission.
When churches function as families – not franchises – they experience God’s blessings in profound ways. They protect one another, pray for one another, and grow together. The pastor is not a hired service provider; he is a spiritual shepherd, walking closely with his flock.
And when that covenant is nurtured, the church becomes a beacon of light in its community.
Cultivating a Flourishing Church Together
A biblical vision of ministry breathes life into the whole church. When pastors embrace their sacred call with joy, and congregations walk alongside them with prayer and encouragement, the church becomes a place of healing, transformation, and hope.
This kind of flourishing doesn’t happen overnight. It grows slowly, like a tree planted by streams of water. It requires grace, forgiveness, humility, and mutual support. But the fruit is undeniable: unity, maturity, joy, and a powerful witness to the world.
Conclusion
If I may speak from the heart: I don’t always get it right. There are days I fall short, days I feel small, and days I question myself. But each time, I return to the Voice that called me – not the vote of a church, but the voice of the Shepherd. And in that voice, I find peace. I find joy. I find purpose.
To every pastor reading this: Your calling is sacred. Your labor is not in vain. The One who called you walks with you. To every church member: Your encouragement matters. Your support strengthens your pastor more than you may know.
Let us recover the joy and sacredness of ministry together. Let us honor one another in love. Let us shine as a Church filled with grace, conviction, and the glory of Christ.
~ Meyu Changkiri