Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July 16/56

Contributor - H. E. Franken

Title - What Is It Like To Be A Minister?

Topic - Ministering

There are young men among us who desire an answer to the question "What is it like to be a minister?" They ask this question because they would like to be a minister. They would like to get a look into the minister's life. There are some of our young women too who ask this question, probably because they wouldn't mind being a helper to one of these would-be ministers. At least if it is only a curiosity question and not of personal interest, it is true that one cannot know "what it is like to be a minister" by only observing a minister because so much takes place behind the scenes, that only the minister knows about. Not even his wife knows all that goes on in a minister's life. Not that they live lives apart, but there are things that are better not shared, thus saving her the temptation of repeating something that should not be repeated.

The minister's real task is to proclaim Christ, so as to "present man perfect in Christ" (Colossians 1:28). At every occasion he must keep that in mind. Paul puts it this way "I am determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. " Everything in life is to be related to this Chris' t and under His dominion.

In order to do this preaching effectively the minister needs to do a great deal of studying. He cannot rightly divide the Word of God without much study. It will save him much embarrassment if he thoroughly knows what the teaching of Scripture is. Then he can speak as one having authority, for he has the authority of Scripture and there is no appeal from that. A minister is really only ready to study when he finishes his studies in the schools. Only then he can more efficiently use the arms to work with. The word is the double-edged sword of the Spirit.

A minister is a middleman. He of all people should have the most intimate relationship with God by a living faith in Jesus Christ. He is the friend of God: he can therefore present God to others and others to God. Besides this he brings others into closer relationship with God. As a leader he should be a step ahead of those he leads. This is true in his education, example, faith and works.

It's not as easy a task as it may seem on the outside. He needs more than his own strength and wisdom, which is available at the hand of God for the .asking, and thus saves every situation.

A minister should have many-sided interests. He should be interested in people, no matter what their trade is. And if he is interested in people, he is interested in what they do. He will want to see them at work. Therefore he is going to get around a great deal. You'll see him with the farmer in the field and with the factory-man at the machine.

He is always young at heart, even if he is an octogenarian. He never grows old except in body. He loves children and youth. He will come down to where they are playing and bring them up to where they will be working. It is his delight to see youth taking up responsibility in the works of the church. He thanks God when the leaders in the church are those he used to have in Bible classes of various kinds.

The minister experiences something of what Israel experienced in the wilderness in the matter of daily needs. "He who, gathers little has no lack and he who gathers much has nothing left." Jesus sent out His disciples two by two and when they returned they confessed that they lacked nothing. God does care.

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