Where Does Children’s Ministry Fit, Exactly?

Calling vs. Career. Which label would you use for children’s ministry? I recently heard someone talking about their “career” in children’s ministry. Personally, I don’t believe ministry is a career. I believe it’s a calling of God.

Most people in ministry didn’t decide to make a “career” of it. Instead, God performed a supernatural work in their heart and invited them to give their life to reaching and discipling people.

That was my case. When I was 16, God began quietly whispering into my spirit that He wanted me to give my life to reach people. At first, I said “no way.” That wasn’t on my radar. And I definitely didn’t want to pursue it. But the “calling” continued to pursue me.

I’ll never forget the day I knelt down and said “yes” to God’s call. I told God I’d stop running away from His plan for my life and start running toward it. And if God has called you, I’m sure you remember that clearly too.

Even now, you may sense God calling you to give your life to reaching kids and families.  You may be experiencing a burning-bush call from God about children’s ministry.

Calling vs. Career: Key Differences

• A career is about the income. A calling of God is about the outcome.
• A career is when you pursue finances and prestige, while a calling is when you pursue God.
• A career comes from your plans. But a calling comes from God’s plans.
• A career is about climbing the ladder. A calling is about climbing higher in your relationship with God.
• Your career is about seeing how many people can serve you. Your calling is about seeing how many people you can serve.
• A career is about increasing yourself. A calling is about asking Jesus to increase and for you to decrease.
• You can change careers. But the calling of God is a lifetime commitment.
• A career is about advancing yourself. A calling is about advancing the kingdom of God.

Someone once told me if you can do anything else besides ministry, do it. Get a career and run with it. But if God calls you to ministry, you’ll never be happy or fulfilled doing anything else. And it’s true. Some of the most miserable people I know ran from God’s call and pursued a career instead.