This October will make 13 years since I surrendered my life to full time ministry for Jesus. I preached my first sermon 12 years ago. I have been involved in full time vocational ministry for almost five years now. I grew up in a family of strong faith. I should be a person of strong faith.
I must confess that hasn’t always been the case. Though I have preached numerous sermons and lessons on ‘Faith in God’ and ‘Trust in the Savior’. I have had many doubts, questions and lapses of faith recently. I can still play the game and talk the ‘preacher’ talk, but I haven’t been as strong in faith as I should be. The summer proved to be a time of testing for me. My wife and I lost our first child in a miscarriage, and then I lost a job that I loved 4 weeks later.
For those in a secular position and unfamiliar with vocational ministry, there are significant differences in finding a new ministry job. First, you can’t just shoot a resume to all the places that do the same ‘kind’ of work. The philosophical and theological filter of who I am narrows down the potential field of possible employers. It takes lots of time for the process to move in hiring. Then, to make a long story short you have to convince anywhere from 6 to 600 people you are good enough for the job.
Not trying to throw a pity party, but just represent the situation.
Long story short I had a conversation with myself about 10 days ago. With no job, no income, would it be OK to pocket the tithe from my final paycheck? After all…
- I really needed the money to support my family!
- I felt I kind of deserved it for various reasons that need not be blogged.
- I was feeling bad for myself.
Thankfully, I didn’t win the debate. My conscious and the Spirit said, “You need to give it to the LORD. He can do more with it than you can…remember those sermons you preached! Were those just for your congregation, or you?”
So, Julie and I decided to tithe to a missionary friend and his ministry while we were in between churches.
I had no expectations for anything in return. I didn’t expect God to do anything for me. Yet, despite my weakness and inept faith, God multiplied back to me what I gave away by 5 times within 10 days.
I must confess – I was weak, but I must also confess – My God was strong, mighty and gracious. He has answered numerous prayers in the last week. Hope is here.
– Brad
bradraby.com 
You constantly encourage me when I read your blog. Please don’t quit posting!
Hey great blog and it encourages me too.. I mean to be honest my situation is harder.. try to get a job in a field that you have also devoted your life to changing and attacking hoping to change the way it is operated… I mean I have to get hired by people that I completely disagree with on almost every notion of how to teach and run a school, and school system overall.. Oh and try to be a guy who loves putting his foot in his mouth all at the same time!! lol Hey love you man..Ministry is a lot tougher as well.. want to point that out.. this comment was entirely a joke.. I have tremendous respect for anyone who serves God as a Job and Way of life. My situation is far less complicated and hard
Brad, I’m praying so much for you and Julie. I miss you guys. We’ve switched churches for various reasons as well, and just want you to know you’re still in our hearts and thoughts.
Thanks so much for the prayers!
Jess,In your case, it may be harder for YOU to get a job… 😉
Keep trusting in the Lord and thanks for encouraging me to do the same!I need all the encouraging I can get because I think I have you all beat in the job arena! Ha!Stay-at-home mother of 5
Yes, YOU DO!