I truly believe that God has placed His hand on me and chosen to set my life apart for 'full-time' ministry, but not necessarily in the 'traditional' sense of the word. At some point, I have doubted EVERY other aspect of my life. However, there is one single thing that I have NEVER questioned. I know, beyond all doubt, that I was created for ONE single reason. I was born to BELIEVE! While I know that God has consecrated me for His purpose, I would best describe the call of God on my life as "NON-stereotypical ministry". Let me take a moment to provide explanation.

The first thought when people say 'minister' (by very definition, "one involved in MINISTRY") is the man that many see standing behind the pulpit in church every Sunday. Or they may think of the tele-evangelist they see on TV. Many feel that to be 'called to ministry' involves, in large part, pulpit-type ministry (or related pastoral or evangelistic activities). This includes even missionaries 'preaching' the gospel.

While this is indeed ministry, if we look at our Supreme Example of ministry, Christ Himself, we'll find that little, if ANY, of HIS "ministry" took place in the pulpit. He did read ONE time in the synagogue, NOT because He was the 'preacher' but because it was their custom to have people read from the Scriptures and it just happened to be Yeshua's (Jesus') turn. He read a passage, made one comment, and sat down. That's it! Most of HIS earthly "ministry" took place in the 'highways and byways'. In the process of living His OWN life, Jesus forever changed OTHERS' lives. Jesus 'spoke life' into normal everyday mundane situations. He didn't WAIT for people to come to Him, He went to THEM. He, Himself, said that the Son of man has come to "SEEK and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10) While Jesus lived a very normal life, His ministry was ANYthing but normal. He just WASN'T simply a "preacher" (or an apostle, or prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher). Yet, in one way or another, He fulfilled ALL of these "offices", but NEVER was involved in "ministry" (by most people's modern definition of 'ministry').

I truly feel my calling to "ministry" can be summed up by 2 TImothy 2:2 "The things you've heard from me, among many witnesses, commit thou to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." It breaks down like this. God has done some incredibly AMAZING things in my life that many others are 'witness' to; literal MIRACLES of God ("The things you've heard from ME (GOD), among many witnesses . . . "). My 'call' is to share what great things God's done, and CONTINUES to do, in my life (" . . . commit thou to faithful men . . . ") That, in turn, God could bless them and they could repeat the same process ( " . . . who will be able to teach others also." 2 Tim. 2:2)

Following the example set by Christ, my calling is to 'speak LIFE' into every situation in which I find myself involved. Not because I AM the life, but because HE is, and HE will do it THROUGH me - simply a vessel; a channel; a "conduit" if you will - for HIS glory and the building of His Kingdom. Does this mean I'll preach? sometimes. Does this mean I'll pray for the sick? quite possibly. Does this mean I'll witness? likely. Does this mean I'll cry with a homeless beggar? it could. Does this mean I'll prophesy over a corporate CEO? It's possible. My "ministry" could very well involve ALL of that, and yet just maybe NONE of that.

There's nothing 'wrong' with the five-fold ministries, in fact, God ORDAINED them Himself. And there's nothing inherently 'evil' about believing God for the 'work of the ministry' to support you financially and provide for your needs (the Old Testament priests are an example). These callings, and the resulting provision, are both honorable and Biblical. However, I don't believe EITHER of these (a SINGLE of the five-fold gifts OR earning my living by ministry) are MY specific 'call' to ministry. I don't think it's LIMITED to just a single area ('call'), but will involve ALL of it.

What it means more than anything is that my 'calling' will not fit within the 'box' most people call 'full-time' ministry (therefore my description as "NON-stereotypical"). But, then again, neither would the ministry JESUS carried out. I had a prophecy spoken years ago over me that said, "You're not going to be like anyone else you've known before, so you might as well kiss that one 'goodbye'" I never knew really what it meant . . . until NOW, that is. I STILL don't know all of the details, but I DO know that He PROMISED that HE will complete the work. "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil 1:6)

So that's my "calling". Surrender, and let God work MIRACLES in my life, filling me with His Presence, and then speak that LIFE, I've received FROM Him, INTO other people's lives and situations into which He leads me. I'm just not going to be like anyone else I've ever known; I just CAN'T. Although preaching certainly is a high and noble calling, I cannot consider myself to be SOLELY a 'preacher' (although that's PART of it). To do so would severely LIMIT and compromise my calling, as well as come way short of the purpose of God for my life. I'm currently involved in an opportunity that will open many doors and simply increase the number of areas into which my life extends.

This calling is not a matter of pride, but simply a matter of fact. I have a choice. I can accept the purpose for which God has created and graciously gifted me, or I can choose to deny and refuse to acknowledge His divine purpose. Will I choose the way of faith or the way of flesh? The answer is quite simple. My only prayer would be that of Mary, the mother of Jesus, when told by the Angel of the Lord of the promise of a Son, the Messiah, Christ Jesus. She simply said, ". . . be it unto me according to your word." (Luke 1:38b) I didn't author the call, nor did I do anything to deserve receiving it. I simply accept it and let HIM fulfill it in my life.

In Him,

Brian