The Difference

I live in two worlds. Well, maybe more. But two main ones are (1) The Corporate world (2) The Ministry world. I spend a lot of time in these worlds and many things about them are different. Here are just a few.

1. Patience - My experience in the corporate world of finance / consulting is generally one where people are not that patient. There are deadlines to meet and expectations to exceed. And you can't make mistakes. In ministry, there are deadlines of course and in many ways, even greater expectations. But, there's an overall environment of patience - an understanding that deadlines don't indicate the end of the world, and that in some sense, we all make mistakes.

2. Passion - In the corporate world, people are motivated by lots of different things - just like ministry. But on the whole, I'd say many people (not all) are motivated by money, prestige, and exit opportunities (job as a stepping stone to something else). In ministry, particularly lay-person ministry, there is no money for sure. There isn't prestige in the sense that you can brag about what ministry you're in. But in the best ministries I've observed or particpated in, there's an overwhelming passion for God that drives people. It goes beyond personal passion, its a passion that's placed within by God that consumes.

3. Prayer - There is perhaps now, more than before, an acknowledgement in the corporate world that there is a lot that happens or may happen that is out of our hands. In our economic downward spiral, there is a limited control of our financial destiny. But, at the same time we plan, strategize, and excute on ways we can cut costs and mitigate risks. All this is right. Yet, the underlying operating principle is that we, as humans, run stuff and its up to us. In ministry, humans run stuff and a lot of stuff is up to us. But there's something more going on too - there's a sovereign God reigning over the universe and over hearts and minds of people. And because He's sovereign we bring forth our requests and petitions to Him.