Transition To Ministry

Two things were particularly difficult for me as a new minister -- relating to the transition from ministerial training to ministry. It may help others to be aware of these things.

• The sudden public exposure. I remember in particular a kite that I built with son M, who was a toddler at the time. "Everybody" saw minister and son flying a kite.
• The intense spiritual output required. Before I was in full-time ministry, I needed little more than my own spiritual life. In ministry, I needed to sustain everybody else's, too.

OBSERVATION: Over time, both of these challenges became less. In fact, such things became more of a pleasure to me than a burden.