Page 97 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

The Life of Ministry 97

It can be valuable for a minister to take his or her child along on various
ministry assignments. This will allow the child later opportunity to ask questions
and understand more of the world that demands the parents’ attention. Most
ministry settings are safe for a child and tagging along can demystify them.
Of course, balance is needed in explanation. A child does not need to know
everything mom and dad have to face. In fact, too much knowledge can be
unhealthy. But if some knowledge is given, the child can be more certain that other
things the parents confront are similarly normal and nothing worthy of fear.
Focus
Everyone needs attention, and everyone needs the opportunity to occasionally
be the center of attention. This includes the minister’s child. The guarantee of
seeing minor problems become major in the life of a child and family in the
ministry is to continue letting the young ones of the family feel overlooked as
the parent ministers to everyone else. Who wants this type of guarantee? So, the
ministry parents can give effort to providing focus for their children.
Give your child focus; be sure each one understands that his or her problems
are important. Never let someone else’s struggles be the most important issues
you face. In the ministry, people will always have problems. You may help them
solve one today, but someone will have another one before you can catch your
breath. Your children must know that they come first.

31 Think of a minister’s They must also feel your focus when it comes to protecting them from the
child who seemed to need expectations of others. People may be unrealistic in their expectations of your
more attention. What did you child, and you may wish your child were behaving differently, but never allow
observe about the child?
someone else to add pressure to your child’s life. Defend your own children
without being unreasonably defensive. Protect their rights to make mistakes as
they grow up. Such focus will build trust. Ministries shift and transition, but your
child is yours for life.
Spiritual Nurture
What a tragedy to invest one’s life in discipling multitudes while failing to
offer the same guidance to one’s children. Hard to imagine, but it happens often.
Just as a shepherd may have a strategy to disciple young believers, that minister
must also have a strategy for discipling the children at home.
Some ministers invest in their children through daily devotional times. These
can be valuable, especially if the child sees genuineness in the parents and not
just another performance of their ministry duty. Devotional times that are truly
focused on the child’s life will have a long-term benefit for the future of that child
and for those whom he or she touches in the years to come.
Be intentional about including your child in special ministry settings.
Introduce the child to your own heroes of the faith. Give your child a chance to
interact with ministry people who have influenced you. Always look to give your
child a piece of your own heart to hang onto. Such efforts strengthen the bond
between you and help the child develop some of the same heart attitudes that
guide your own life.
32 In what way is discipling Jesus spoke of the sadness of gaining the whole world and losing one’s
your own children your own soul. It is equally sad to win the whole world and lose a child’s soul in
greatest responsibility? the journey. The family is God’s first strategy for communicating His love and
purpose throughout humankind. Ministers must not allow any responsibilities to
get in the way of what they must invest in their children. His or her children must
be the minister’s first priority as a disciple-maker.