Ministry vs. Career (what's your perspective)

I've heard many people refer to their role as an officer by many different names. Pastor (aren't we much more than that) or Administrator (may God forgive us) are 2 common descriptions of the calling we have received. I guess what it boils down to is this: What shape do you see your role as an Army officer taking? If we see it as a career move, we can get wrapped up into the notion that we've put our hours in...so leave me alone now. We can see it as a task oriented position that requires some customer service skills and a little public relations on the side. We can see our work as the way to promotion or a way up the Army ladder. OR do we see our role as the officer...a servant leader who leads by example? Someone who in one day will give a bag of food to one individual, counsel a woman who is being abused, lead a beginner band, administer corps finances, and be the speaker at a Rotary luncheon. Many hats? Yes.

I loved Phil's dad's comments our second year at the training school in the Leadership Class. Expectation #1: SHOW UP! We tend to hear the phrase "I can make my own hours..." but is that an excuse to drop the ball on our responsiblities? Don't just show up physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared for the ministry that lies ahead for that day. Get a good night's sleep, eat healthy meals, be read up and prayed up. So my question to you is, what shape is your role as an officer taking? Ministry or Career?

DO I SMELL SMOKE? NO, I'M NOT COOKING AGAIN.

Before I was commissioned and ordained as a Salvation Army officer, I signed a covenant with God. This covenant is signed by each cadet, male and female, to symbolize the spiritual covenant made with the One who has called us. I promised to love and serve Him supremely, to live to win sould and make their salvation the first purpose of my life, to care for those and provide for those whom no one else would, to maintain doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army and by God's grace prove myself a worthy officer.

Difficult and challenging promises to keep, but I keep these in front of me at all times! I specified at the beginning that we all sign this covenant, male and female. This is the reason for the smoke...I am frustrated with inconsistencies found in the "team" ministry we find ourselves.

Some points to ponder:
1. I have been called, just as my husband has been called... I am gifted, just as my husband has been gifted...I do not mean equality. I mean that what promises God has for him (to be called, equipped, and challenged in the walk of faith), I also can claim these promises. So, why is it that gender outweighs giftedness? I don't want a pithy 1 person example where this is different. I see gifted women placed into positions of convenience rather than giftedness (not too many on the other side). Do I want men to be given the convenient positions to suit their wives' givedness....By no means! Why are we still having such difficulty getting this point across?

2. Being a parent is one of the most precious gifts I have been given, but taking a stand against the inequalities faced by officer couples gives me a bad rep. Why??? Are baking cookies, staying home, and cleaning house equated with being a good mom? Because I find fulfillment in the ministry I have been called to (and yes, I have a ministry as a PARENT to my children that I do not ignore) more than folding my child's clothes, does that make me a horrible mom? My husband and I have approached parenting as an extension of our team ministry. Those things with which we are gifted, we apply it to our church ministry and our family ministry...those things which are "chores" (dirty diapers, laudry, cleaning, children's bathtime) and require no real giftedness on our part....we divvy up! So, why is it that when we fill out a form for child care, it only asks for the mother's schedule? Why is it that we are not both held to task when it comes to ministry (inside and outside the home)?

3. It may seem like nit-picking over semantics...but there are injustices we fight daily that are about semantics. Semantics meant the difference between women and African Americans having the right to vote or not. Semantics will decide if illegal aliens can go through the process or be sent back to their country of origin with no possiblity of citizenship.

I am a parent, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife, and an officer of the Salvation Army. Each role comes with responsiblities I do not take lightly. So before I get a speech about how I should be a mother and wife...please keep this in mind!