Pastors

Refreshed by the Mission

The great need reminds me why role is important.

Leadership Journal January 16, 2013

No, I haven’t questioned my calling. We shouldn’t separate serving on a local church staff from people with “secular” jobs. I have the same “calling” as any other believer. Since I first became a follower of Jesus during my college years, I instinctively knew my calling was to make the gospel known and to serve a local church.

But I have questioned my role. There are times when the emotional weight of serving full-time on a church staff is very difficult. When I question this and want to go open a barber shop instead, it mainly comes from feeling the weight of the role. To escape those seasons of doubt, I only have to go downtown and watch college students walking around or think of the urgency of the mission. I immediately remember that this role is an incredible privilege and there is so much to do!

—Dan Kimball, Vintage Faith Church, Santa Cruz, California

Copyright © 2013 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal.Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.

Our Latest

The 12 Neglected Movies of Christmas

Nathaniel Bell

The quest for a perfect fruitcake, a petty larcenist, and a sly Scottish dramedy should all grace your small screen this season.

News

Amid Peace Talks, Russian Drone Damages Christian School in Kyiv

Ukrainians are wary of any plan that gives Moscow its “Christmas wish list.”

Make Faith Plausible Again

Bryce Hales

A peculiar hospitality can awaken faith in our secular contexts.

Public Theology Project

Russell Moore’s Favorite Books of 2025

CT’s editor at-large recommends a handful of biographies—from Augustine to Robert Frost—along with sci-fi, Stephen King, social media, and more.

The Priest and Social Worker Deradicalizing Jihadists in Prison

One Catholic and one Muslim, they disagree on the role of religion in their work in Lebanon, but are united in their aim.

The Russell Moore Show

 Listener Question: N.T. Wright on the Parable of the Talents

N.T. Wright takes a listener’s question about the parable of the talents told in Luke 19, and why it’s not all that it seems.

Celebrating Christmas with Hot Chai and Crispy Murukku

Amid rising persecution, Indian Christians share Jesus’ love with friends and neighbors through delectable dishes.

My Top 5 Books on Christianity in Southeast Asia

Compiled by Manik Corea

Explore how the faith has flourished in Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and other countries in this religiously diverse region.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube