WHAT FAITH LOOKS LIKE

How Faith Works

Three years ago the Holy Spirit began troubling my spirit; the church I pastor was doing well, finances seemed secure enough, attendance was good, but having, at that point been in full-time ministry nearly twenty years, I found myself feeling distant from “real people”.

My relationships with the unsaved were minimal; the previously unsaved friends that I had known had all gotten saved and passed on to glory. I found myself not only surrounded by Christians, but more troubling; by religious people. I felt like a fish in dirty water, I needed the fresh air of honesty that only unchurched people live in consistently. I decided that I would look for a part time job to renew my connections with the people of the world.

Within a week of asking God for direction, two suitable jobs became available. Money wasn’t an issue, so I was choosing on the basis of being able to interact with people who didn’t know Jesus. The first and most attractive job to me was working as a “coffee-boy” at a local gas station. I would service the coffee shop area of the Speedway. I had a church member who already worked there and I could start immediately. I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to meet lost people and since many are “regulars” who come in daily, I would have the opportunity to build relationship with them. I had decided to take this position and was driving home when I felt an urging to stop in at the local funeral home to see a friend.

As I arrived unannounced I interrupted my friend as he was emptying his desk. “Where are you going?” Well, he had decided to move from the Cleveland Avenue Chapel to one in Newark, Ohio. As we made small talk Craig interrupted me asking, “You wouldn’t know anyone looking for a small part-time job would you?” “What would the job require?” “Perhaps 20 hours a week, mostly helping the Manager with computer work and Greeting families at the services.” To make this as brief as possible, before I could really consider all the ramifications I blurted out, “I’ll take the job!” and after an interview with the HR of the company and a couple more days to pray, I changed my mind about being a Coffee Boy at the gas station and became office help at Schoedinger Funeral Home on Cleveland Avenue in Columbus. I knew nothing of the funeral business, except what I had learned as a Pastor doing funeral services.

Before long a position was created for me that the company had never had before and I was promoted to “Administrative Assistant”. For nearly two years I worked that position and did whatever was necessary on any given day at the funeral home. I have conducted many, many services – assisted a lot of families and have learned more about this business that I ever asked to know, but I love it.

Two weeks ago Sunday, I stepped out in faith and announced that my Wife and I would no longer accept salary from the church. Making such a decision was difficult for me, because I knew that Tammy and I could not support ourselves with each of us only working part-time. But as a church, we have been trying to pay-off church debt and our numbers are now down to where the church can’t realistic support us as they once did. I have no sorrow about where we are as a church for though we are a small congregation the community that we have been striving for as a church is finally being seen and we are spiritually growing as a church family closer and closer. Each Sunday is a roundtable discussion of God’s Word together and God is changing our lives!

The Tuesday after I made the announcement about not receiving salary from the church I was called before the powers that be and asked if I would consider being full-time as the Manager of this Chapel. Besides full-time pay, the best benefits in the business, plus retirement savings. God is good.

We make our plans, but God directs our steps. That’s how faith works. In three years, without any design from me, I have gone from “Greeter” to Manager of the Chapel. I am the only Manager of a Chapel who is not also a licensed Funeral Director. God has advanced me, even in spite of my lack of formal education.

Money has never been the issue; I took the job without even asking what it paid and if you asked me today what I make I would need to look it up; after all I am not the provider for my family; God is. He takes whatever my best efforts produce and meets our needs accordingly and we give Him the glory. And at the very moment of need, God provides, He always has and He always will as long as we lean into Him.

At one time in my life I believed that there was a difference between those in the full-time ministry, i.e. “Pastors” and lay people of the church; I was wrong – we are all ministers and full-time for God as long as whatever we do, we do for the glory of God!

My challenges for you today; walk in faith, not by sight or feelings or even goals; step out trust God and where God guides, He’ll provide! Amen!