Should I Join the “Club”?: Three Interviews
The decision whether or not to go into paid full-time vocational ministry is not an easy one but conferences like Club 5 are run with the aim of helping people work through the issues. This week The Page talks to three ECU students about their thinking.
Emma Boehme
What made you decide to come to Club 5? This year is the first year I've really started to think seriously about the possibility of full-time ministry. I was looking through the Club 5 website and I got to the part where it says, “Why should you come to Club 5?” I realised, reading through the site, that it was a good idea for me to come and think about what God wants for my life!
What are you currently thinking of in terms of future full-time vocational ministry? I'm only really at the starting point! I'm definitely considering MTS but it depends on what God thinks and I don't know where I'll do it. In the long-term, I'm thinking about going to Bible college, and maybe into full-time ministry. But I need to be making sure that I'm serving him where I am now, regardless of whether or not I go into vocational ministry.
What areas of ministry are you interested in? I love seeing people being changed by God's word. I'm interested in women's ministry but I'm also open and flexible about what else I'd like to do. At the moment I teach Sunday school and lead a church Bible study every second week. In addition, my friend and I just started a Friday night women's group with the aim of reaching out to non-Christian friends. I'd love to do more one-to-one reading the Bible with others. But I'm open to new challenges and opportunities, even if it means having to go outside my comfort zone.
What is something you've learnt from this conference? I've learnt that God can change hearts; he turns sinners into servants. I've been encouraged to see that, even though I'm still so sinful, God can still use me. Whether I go into full-time ministry or not, God requires all of me all the time. I've been challenged to give every part of my life to him.
Emma is a second year Science student majoring in Biology and Nutrition. This is her first Club 5.
Toby Campbell
What made you decide to come to Club 5? I'm not sure. I heard about it from other people who had been to it previously. They all said it was good and challenging and encouraged me to come. No one said anything bad about it. They said it was a good opportunity to think about how to let God work through your life.
What are you currently thinking of in terms of future full-time vocational ministry? I don't really know. I can't say that I can't do it but at this stage I'm still not sure of what will be the best thing for me to do. There are so many options out there.
What areas of ministry are you interested in? Sharing the gospel with people. But you'll do this no matter what occupation you're in—whether it be full-time ministry, part-time ministry, overseas ministry or ministry here. At church I've been leading youth group and doing music. I'd like to have the opportunity give talks. But I'm open to all possibilities.
What is something you've learnt from this conference? The wisdom of God conflicts with the world's wisdom. The world's wisdom cannot exist concurrently with God's wisdom. You have to be single-minded in following God's wisdom. I hadn't realised before how focused this requires you to be.
Toby is a second year student majoring in Mathematics. This is his first Club 5.
Julie Baker
What made you decide to come to Club 5? I wanted to continue thinking about ministry. Last year was my first time at Club 5. This year has been really hard and I've been looking forward to getting back to focusing on this. I'm also in my last year of study and I need to start thinking about what I'm going to do after this. I'm also excited because this is the first time that a group of us have come from my church!
What are you currently thinking of in terms of future full-time vocational ministry? My ideas are vague and they might not come true! But I'd like to be involved in teaching—perhaps high school ministry. Or I'd like to be teaching Visual Arts or Design and Technology at a high school (I'm considering whether or not to do a DipEd). I'd also like to communicate the gospel to the secular world through design. Current Christian design is pretty daggy! I'd like to be on the mission field, whether it be here or overseas.
What areas of ministry are you interested in? Youth ministry, high school Scripture teaching and reaching out to creative people in the visual arts/design world. I used to teach Scripture at Kiama High. At church I'm involved in the ministry team for our 7 pm service. I've also enjoyed serving as part of ECU—talking to people, inviting people along and doing one to one stuff. This year will be my third year doing beach mission at Kiama. I've always wanted to lead a church Bible study group or go somewhere away from the south coast on a short-term ministry trip to improve my skills.
What is something you've learnt from this conference? I can't make my parents' happiness and aspirations for me my first priority; I can't live with both the world's wisdom and God's wisdom. I've been challenged to put God first.
Julie is a third year Creative Arts student majoring in Graphic Design. This is her second Club 5.
Karen Beilharz [karen@ecuwollongong.org]
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