Being a graduate of seminary but not working in a church makes for a lot of stalled conversations. People ask where I was before moving back to my home town and, when I tell them, inquire about what congregation I’m working with or where I am in a particular denomination’s discernment process. Each time I bring things to a halt by saying that I’m not a pastor. At least, ministry is not my day job.
Amos had a similar conversation stopper in today’s reading. This priest of Bethel who had authority over religious matters in that area told Amos to go and apply his trade elsewhere. “Go home and make a living as a prophet” is basically what Amaziah tells him. Amos, however, replies, “I’m not a prophet.” By this he means he’s not a professional one—a full-time, supported by the king, member of a guild of prophets. He’s actually just a herdsman and a tender of trees down south. “That’s”, he tells Amaziah, “my day job.”
Personally, I think Amos is an underused example of ministry. Too often we look to the people who gave up everything as paragons of what it means to follow God. The Disciples, for example, left their (somewhat) steady jobs and began to follow Jesus—a path that would take them into being full-time ministers. King David left shepherding of sheep far behind and, instead, shepherded an entire nation. Don’t misunderstand me; there is nothing wrong with those who are called to give up their daily life and work to follow Christ. Those to whom the call comes to “go to a land I will show you” and respond by saying “Here I am” are brave indeed.
But equally brave are those like Amos. No, it doesn’t appear he gave up the safety and security of his income to do what God called him to do. But we also don’t get any inkling that he was in any way disobedient or somehow less of a prophet for doing so. In fact, if you read through the brief book of this prophet’s words, you’ll find that he’s had a lot of impact on how we as Christians think and try to live.
All this is said to point out that serving God and ministering to the world doesn’t always involve vows of poverty, long journeys into the unknown, or even the lack of steady income. Sometimes it means keeping your day job while evenings or weekends are given over to the work God is calling you to do. The ministry of those who are not ordained, who do not work directly for the local congregations or denominational offices are no less important than that of those who do.
In fact, sometimes those people can make an even greater impact in the daily lives of those beyond the walls of the church. Just think how many have read the words of Amos.
Loving God, help us to hear your call and be brave enough to give up and brave enough to keep the herds and trees we tend.