One of the biggest values behind doing an internship, or exploring different volunteer ministry, is that you can learn what ministry most appeals to you. You have a unique skill set, set of interests, and personality, and what you think you are interested in may not actually be where you resonate the most. There are many things that impact what ministry you may, or may not, want to become involved in. If you had the misfortune to be burned in one ministry, you will likely not desire to go back into it. At the same time, if you are really passionate about a certain topic, you may thrive in a ministry related to it.
This is part seven in the Debt-Free University to Ministry series. If you would like to check out the earlier parts in this series you can find them here: Part Six, Part Five, Part Four, Part Three, Part Two, and Part One.
Identifying Your Current Ministry Passion-Level:
Passions are a good starting point for determining what ministry you want to be involved in. If you are not sure what you are passionate about, however, you may want to explore this in more depth. Before we get too in depth, let’s take a look at some of the layers in being passionate about something.
Are you already involved in a ministry, but you could live without it? Are you eager to be involved in your ministry, or is it just what you do because it’s expected? 
If you are in a ministry where, you get psyched up and eager during preparation, you want to be there and would hate yourself if you missed a single minute, or you at least get super excited about it once a month. You are in a good ministry fit.
Note: if it’s a daily ministry, I will be the first to admit that it is super hard to get psyched up at 8am in the morning, every single day!
If, however, you’d rather avoid the ministry if you weren’t responsible for running part of it, or you’d rather foist the responsibility onto another person, then it is probably not a good fit. However, you could also be facing burn-out if you’ve been involved for a long period of time without a break.
So, What is a Passion?
Passion is normally considered to be an emotion. However, passion can also be a conviction. When passion is a conviction, it is also becomes a driving force in one’s life. When thinking about ministry, what makes you mad, sad, eager to help, or otherwise stirs you to action?
I have a passion for Biblical truth. I get mad, furious actually, when someone misuses the Scriptures to justify a doctrine that was, likely enough, not even in God’s mind! I have a few specific doctrines that I get frustrated with, Replacement Theology is the biggest peeve of mine. And, it is this passion for truth, as it were, that is directing my current ministry involvement.
So, what gets you riled up? Once you know that, you can find a ministry that helps address it in some way.
Alternatively, if you do not get riled up, is there something you would be willing to commit to – even following through with it might cost your life?
Do you Have Conviction?
Alongside passion, comes conviction. Are you convinced, or convicted, that this is the right path to take, the full truth to believe? Sometimes, I know, truth is only gradually revealed. However, from what you know now, do you have conviction? Also, does your passion and conviction align?
If you have a passion for working with youth, but are convinced that the older adults in your congregation really need practical assistance. Maybe you can combine them? Either that, or evaluate more.
Ministry Finds You:
Every church has its need, and every organization needs volunteers. Sometimes, outside of your plans or intentions, ministry finds you. It can be anything from spontaneously deciding to apply to the local Bible camp, and getting accepted, to suddenly feeling convinced that you should go on an overseas mission trip or tour. Either way, next thing you know, you are in something you had not originally planned on. And, usually it turns out to be epic.
Let me share a bit of my story. In my third summer at University, I had the spontaneous conviction that I should go on an educational tour to Israel. Despite certain parental misgivings, I went. The focus of the tour was on building a Biblical Theology about Israel, and I learned a huge amount. That fall, my third year of university, presented a new challenge – Theology courses. Thanks, in part, to Israel, I argued from the Bible with Every. Single. Lesson! Still got A’s, but I was sure glad I was not on campus. Replacement Theology was rampant, and it was only thanks to having been to Israel that I knew the Scriptures that showed it was false.
Two years later, I finished university and took a look around. Israel was still on my radar, and a ministry I head heard about was looking for a writer, in Jerusalem. Well, I applied, and then spent an amazing 3 months volunteering in Jerusalem. And, I want to go back.
When I look back on my life, I can clearly see the threads that bind me to Israel. Songs of my childhood, the historical novels I read as a teen, and the passion to find the truth about Israel in God’s word that began when I entered University. However, at the time I first went to Israel, none of these threads had a conscious impact on me. They were the invisible filaments that made my call, ministry, and passion find me.
Are there threads in your life that might lead to a ministry? Consistent interest, friendships, music themes, or other topics that are related in some way may perhaps serve as an index later on.
When I was in Israel, I was told a saying that really stood out to me. It was something that was said to Derek Prince when he was working in Jerusalem. “You did not choose Jerusalem, Jerusalem chooses you.”
God prepares His people for the work they will be required to do. Often, you won’t even notice the preparation you are facing. At other times, it will be obvious that it is preparation for something, but you just don’t know what. Though some of the preparation I’ve recognized makes me think that God has a really good sense of humour.
Types of Ministry:
Once you know the area you want to minister in, or are called to minister in, you will need to evaluate the ministry options. Different ministries gain workers in different ways. Sometimes there are paid internships, other times you have to pay for the privilege of the internship. Other times you volunteer for a small benefit (housing and food for example), or you may be able to be hired.
If you have debt, there are fewer options. Without debt, you have more options as you can take volunteer positions, or paid, and it does not much matter which.
Back To You:
Where does your passion and conviction rest? What ministry are you involved in, or have you been involved in?
Leave a comment, I enjoy hearing from you!
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