Ministering Professionals

At CIU we educate students to become ministering professionals (and professional ministers) to impact the world with the message of Jesus. As a professor, one of the greatest challenges is to plant a vision for how that intentional witness or discipling or church planting really works when you are a professional minister.

Most students come to us with a traditional, church-grown understanding that the “real” minsters are the ones we pay. Our challenge is to make sure they understand the biblical pattern for how God uses church to accomplish his mission. I often point out that biblically and historically God uses soldiers and merchants to introduce his good news to all peoples. Missionaries follow the soldiers and merchants. If you don’t believe me, sign up for one of our history of mission courses at CIU! We need both professional ministers and ministering professionals.

So, how does that work in a world that has professionalized ministry? Check out the video above. These three ministering professionals are glorifying God in the midst of their professions. In their case, that means in the middle of a potential Super Bowl season for the Kansas City Chiefs. Thomas Gafford is a son-in-law of close friends of ours. Based on my observation, these guys are about much more than a dance in the end zone. Indeed, their witness will shine long after the lights of the NFL dim for them. Gamecock fans will recognize a familiar face—one of the best kickers in the business today. Enjoy and comment on how we glorify God through our marketplaces.

Mike Barnett pic 2013

Mike Barnett is dean of the College of Intercultural Studies at CIU. He also played free safety at the University of Houston.