When You Call the Pastor, Dad (Part 1)

If you would have attended Calvary Temple Assembly of God 20 years ago you would have experienced a number of things:  You would have encountered loving people worshiping God;  a strong, biblical message; and as you left the service you would have met a loving pastor that genuinely cared for those that attended his church.  As you were conversing with this pastor, you probably would have noticed something else…his son mistaking the sanctuary for a greyhound sprint track, chasing his sister who was the mistaken “stuffed rabbit”. If that were you, you would have then heard a respectful, yet firm female voice yelling something to the effect of, “Nicholas, you get back here right now!  Quit chasing your sister!!”

Yes, I was that boy. I know it may be hard to believe, but I was a bit mischievous as a child.  I’ve grown out of that now : ) so you don’t need to worry.  Growing up as a pastor’s kid (PK), was a joy, struggle and incredible classroom of ministry all at once.  Over the next few days, I’d like to share some of the things I learned as a PK and am now striving to include in my own ministry.

For my first lesson learned, I’ll be brief.  I learned that ministry is not just a mask or front you put on for Sunday services, it should flow out of a passion for God.  I remember seeing my parents frustrated and overjoyed at church and at home.  They weren’t fake.  They didn’t wear their emotions on their sleeve, but there was always a healthy level of reality to their emotions.  Lesson Learned:  Ministry isn’t something you do, it’s who you are.