#6 The Calling to Ministry

My friends sometimes wonder why on earth did I become a pastor.

After the CSM camp I had a real struggle in Grade 10/ Standard 8. My time in high school were running out fast.  I had to start planning my career.  When I was younger I thought I would love to make lots of money. So I decided to join the church.... (joke! :-) )  I  thought at first to study to become an accountant, but then- my results in Accounting were not that good. I also thought about becoming a lawyer, but I thought I was too honest for that job...  (Sorry Petra!)

I have a good friend and classmate, Roché Vermaak, who were also in our congregation.  Between us we had quite a good knowledge of the Bible. One day our pastor asked us what we wanted to do with our lives. And then he dropped the bomb- he thought that we would be good candidates for ministry.  I could easily see Roché as a pastor. He had these fantastic academic results, and was always well spoken in front of people. And yes- he became a good pastor, he is now in the Brentwood Presbyterian Church in California- the Lord even blessed him with a wife who is also a pastor. I imagine they speak in Ancient Greek in the bedroom...

But me- a pastor? No ways! I was extremely shy and introverted. I had that Moses complex- I can't speak in front of people!  And 6 years of University study at the Angel Factory!  That is quite a long time!  And to learn Ancient Greek and Hebrew- way above my head...  I had lots and lots of excuses why the Lord had about 5 billion better suited candidates for the job.  I often still feel like that!

But one evening I was reading my Bible. And suddenly Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5  was as if spoken to me personally. If somebody as clever and awesome as Paul of Tarsis said he was not relying on big words and great learning (Good News Bible) If he said he was weak and trembling all over with fear and his teaching was not delivered with skilful words of human wisdom- then MAYBE, just maybe the Lord could do something with my life as well. But then God had to deliver verse 4- I needed the convincing power of the Spirit of God. (still do!)  People's faith would not be built on my words, but on God's Power.
And so I said yes to the calling to ministry. With the understanding that I will preach Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, as my foundation.

My friend Roché moved away from our home town, and he studied at another university, it would be years before we saw each other again. And I wish we could have a nice time to visit each other again.
I went to the University of the Orange Free State in Bloemfontein, in the centre of South Africa.
Wow- what a journey- especially the Greek and Hebrew- it really, really floored me! I remember this one test in Hebrew- I studied for days on end, and finally scored 11%
I did finish my Theological Studies in 6 years time, through a lot of grace, not always based on hard work...

It was a long, long time to be busy with studies. And it really stretched my faith, sometimes to near breaking point. Subjects like Text Critique was really tough. The debates even then- the Old Testament prof saying academically there is no person as the devil visible in the Old Testament, and it is a far stretch to see any OT texts dealing specifically with the prophesies of Jesus Christ coming in the fullness of time as the Messiah...

Somehow I came back to the point were it is necessary to believe like a child.  I still do not have a clue what I am doing in Ministry, but somehow God sometimes touches people's lives in spite of me...

I have now been 20 years in full time ministry- the time a Roman soldier were in the Army...
This is the halfway point of my career, speaking of the retirement age of 65 in our church.
I still have so much to learn, things to do, being there for people in need..

Still following in Jesus' footsteps in my own unique way while trying to lead others...

[I have written this after the 5th funeral in 3 weeks time, to try and remember why I am still here...]