Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

In forty years of ministry, it has often been asked, “You’re a minister?  Which church do you pastor?”  The explanation is often difficult.  Not all ministers are pastors of churches.  When the calling came, it was to full-time gospel ministry.  That was a term that had a lot of possibilities.

At the time, the pastorate was the assumption.  Music ministry is not this Christian’s gift.  My passion was for the written word.  God could not use that.  Or could he?  Lesson plans have been conceived, drawn up, and used.  They were not published, yet.  Plays, skits, monologues, etc. have been created and performed.  Once again they have not been published as yet.  Articles have been written and published, but just in the past fifteen years. 

Full-time does not necessarily mean that you make your living by it.  As the road has taken a salesman to different locations, ministry has been accomplished.  As others came to a purchasing agent or manager, the same has happened.  Stories about these encounters are numerous.  Some are shared in “Doulos”, others have yet to be written down.  You may see these in later pieces.

Ministry by definition is difficult to pin down.  A cup of cold water is a ministry.  A kind word or listening ear may be another.  A bowl of stew or other nourishment may be another way to serve some. A listening ear and shoulder to cry on is another way to help.

Another thing I have learned is that every believer is a minister. Accepting this call may seem difficult for many people. I remember the days when I could not speak to people without having my knees knock together. When I accepted the call to serve, I struggled with being the kind of person Jesus could use.

Because I expected to be bivocational, after college I went into secular business. Christians in the workplace can be good employees. They can also be available for prayer and listening to difficulties. Training is not needed for most of us to be friends.

Jesus told a parable about those invited to a wedding feast. When the servants returned to the groom’s father and said that none of the invited guests would come to the dinner, they were instructed to go into the highways and hedges and bring in anyone who would come.  That may be your ministry.  People from work or school need comfort or help.  Those standing in line at Wal-Mart may need a smile or a “good” joke.  Ministry is not hard, but it can be challenging.  What is your challenge?

Copyright 2023 by Charles (Chuck) Kensinger