Baptist News Global
Sections
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Curated
  • Storytelling
    • Faith & Justice >
      • Charleston: Metanoia with Bill Stanfield
      • Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell
      • Little Rock: Judge Wendell Griffen
      • North Carolina: Conetoe
    • Welcoming the Stranger >
      • Lost Boys of Sudan: St. John’s Baptist Charlotte
      • Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church
      • Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center
    • Signature Ministries >
      • Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio
    • Singing Our Faith >
      • Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church
      • Norfolk Street Choir
    • Resilient Rural America >
      • Alabama: Perry County
      • Texas: Hidalgo County
      • Arkansas Delta
      • Southeast Kentucky
  • More
    • Contact
    • About
    • Donate
    • Associated Baptist Press Foundation
    • Planned Giving
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Advertising
    • Ministry Jobs and More
    • Transitions
    • Subscribe
    • Submissions and Permissions
Donate Subscribe
Search Search this site

On becoming an ordinary Christian

OpinionBenjamin Cole  |  May 11, 2009

By Benjamin Cole

When you grow up in Grayson County, Texas, there are two events on your annual calendar that demand your attention. The first is the annual “Battle of the Ax” wherein the Sherman Bearcats take on the Denison Yellow Jackets for four quarters of high-intensity Texas football. The second is the annual Reba McEntire charity concert to benefit the Texoma Medical Center and the Reba McEntire House.

I was never big enough to play football, and I never really enjoyed country music — although I can sing most Reba McEntire songs by heart. One of them has a prominence in my memory that others do not.

Her 1991 hit song, “Is There Life Out There,” tells the story of a lonely soul who feels trapped in an endless repetition of the mundane, unimaginative chores of life. From the inside of a window looking outward, McEntire wonders how life might have been different if she’d taken another course.

That song has played in my head for the past six years. Three years ago, I decided to do something about it. From behind the desk of a pastor’s study, my only window into the life beyond found in the occasional novel — usually John Updike — and feeling more burdened than blessed by the holy vocation to which I had given the greater portion of my life, I pondered the after life.

Not the afterlife of the final resurrection or heaven or the beatific vision, mind you, but life after “the ministry.” I longed to live like the majority of Christians: wage-earning men and women in business or politics or the academy.

But Baptists, much to our peril, tend to espouse a terribly thin theology of vocation. In fact, I remember countless diatribes from seminary pulpits about the pastoral “once-weres” and the “has-beens.”

You don’t have to listen long to hear the not-so-subtle indictment of men and women who “left the ministry” for reasons both noble and ignoble. When you’re in seminary and you hear the roll call of the “formers,” you purpose in your heart never to be counted among them.

And yet, for months now, my name at the bottom of this regular column has been followed by the opprobrious epithet, “former Southern Baptist pastor.” I am unmistakably one of those who stepped away from the pulpit to pursue a life outside the parsonage and beyond the pastorate.

The other day I gave an interview to a reporter who wanted to know how to describe me. “A former pastor,” I suggested, almost laughing at my own embrace of the shameful appellation.

But I had long since departed from my earlier, perhaps naive estimations of “the ministry.” The weekly preparation of sermons became perfunctory. The endless duty of baptizing and blessing and burying the flock of God grew cumbersome. I wondered, indeed, if there was life out there.

I must be careful to say, however, that my love for the people I served has never waxed cold. As the sheep of God go, I’ve been appointed to under-shepherd the best of them.

Along the way, somehow, I just felt like I was spinning my wheels. Sure, there were some real victories: like leading a man named Caesar to Christ while distributing Vacation Bible School flyers; or seeing a deacon’s marriage restored; or sitting by the bedside of an 88-year-old widow dying of cancer and quoting the 23rd Psalm as she drew her last breaths.

But when I hit 30, I knew that I needed an exit strategy from “the ministry.” I wasn’t burned out as much as I was bored. Ordinary Christians would be bored, too, if they had to spend 40-plus hours a week at church. Many can scarcely bear an hour or two a week without nodding off several times.

As I talked to fellow pastors and a few “formers,” I discovered that what I was feeling was almost universal among the ordained servants of God. Indeed, there is something rather emasculating about drawing your salary from the tithe.

So last year, I made it official. I resigned “the ministry,” and moved to Washington, D.C., to pursue a different vocation. Thus I joined the exodus of friends and fellow “formers” who have found a purposeful and peaceful life now that their business cards don’t have a glitzy cross logo and the title “Rev.” in front of their names.

I have few regrets about the years I was a pastor, and I pray I will have even fewer as a “former pastor.” Nevertheless, I’m excited to become an ordinary Christian who works for his wages and tithes his earnings to support the unenviable souls who still bear that heavy cross called “the ministry.”

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)

OPINION: Views expressed in Baptist News Global columns and commentaries are solely those of the authors.
Tags:Commentaries
More by
Benjamin Cole
  • Get BNG headlines in your inbox

  • Featured

    • Mike Stone has an unlikely nominator for his SBC presidential run

      News

    • Finding hope in the church despite these two documentaries

      Opinion

    • New assistance programs cause poverty rate among immigrants to fall in U.S.

      News

    • What I learned when I invited a friend to church who processes the world differently than me

      Opinion


    Curated

    • Pope Benedict XVI’s cousins stand to inherit his money. None of them want it.

      Pope Benedict XVI’s cousins stand to inherit his money. None of them want it.

    • Why Mike Pence thinks he has a prayer in 2024

      Why Mike Pence thinks he has a prayer in 2024

    • Pastor: We’ve heard much about ‘indoctrination.’ What do you call Catholic charter school?

      Pastor: We’ve heard much about ‘indoctrination.’ What do you call Catholic charter school?

    • Arabic ‘In God We Trust’ signs will test limits of Louisiana’s law

      Arabic ‘In God We Trust’ signs will test limits of Louisiana’s law

    Read Next:

    How the new documentary series Shiny Happy People intersects with mainstream Christianity

    AnalysisMallory Challis

    More Articles

    • All
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Curated
    • Once again, Congress urged to protest Afghan refugees on temporary status in U.S.

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Rick Warren is leading a one-man campaign against the very SBC leaders who once admired him

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Brogdon urges forthright approach to ‘problematic’ biblical texts

      NewsPat Cole

    • U.S. urged to respond to plight of Black Mauritanians

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Juneteenth emancipation then and now

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • Welton Gaddy, Baptist champion of interfaith religious freedom

      NewsMarv Knox

    • I’m relearning how to take Pride

      OpinionPatrick Wilson

    • Texas Baptists expel two more churches for welcoming LGBTQ Christians

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • New assistance programs cause poverty rate among immigrants to fall in U.S.

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Finding hope in the church despite these two documentaries

      OpinionErin Albin Hill

    • Transitions for the week of 6-9-23

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Mike Stone has an unlikely nominator for his SBC presidential run

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Southwestern trustees release 20 years of financials that show devastating decline began under Patterson

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • How to connect the dots while watching Shiny Happy People

      AnalysisRick Pidcock

    • How the new documentary series Shiny Happy People intersects with mainstream Christianity

      AnalysisMallory Challis

    • What I learned when I invited a friend to church who processes the world differently than me

      OpinionDebby Haralson

    • On migrant crisis, the U.S. and UK governments share a controversial tactic in common

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • A friendly conversation on being ‘woke’

      OpinionRuss Dean

    • When a Baptist Press story tells you only part of the story

      AnalysisMark Wingfield

    • 27% of Americans are still watching religious services online

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Resolving to ‘respect the diversity’ of the global Baptist family

      AnalysisSteven R. Harmon

    • ‘Leaders are formed in the leading,’ Bolsinger advises pastors

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • The right’s zero-tolerance policy on Pride

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • The whole gospel of God for a church and nation in crisis

      OpinionH. Stephen Shoemaker

    • Once again, Congress urged to protest Afghan refugees on temporary status in U.S.

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Rick Warren is leading a one-man campaign against the very SBC leaders who once admired him

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Brogdon urges forthright approach to ‘problematic’ biblical texts

      NewsPat Cole

    • U.S. urged to respond to plight of Black Mauritanians

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Welton Gaddy, Baptist champion of interfaith religious freedom

      NewsMarv Knox

    • Texas Baptists expel two more churches for welcoming LGBTQ Christians

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • New assistance programs cause poverty rate among immigrants to fall in U.S.

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Transitions for the week of 6-9-23

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Mike Stone has an unlikely nominator for his SBC presidential run

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Southwestern trustees release 20 years of financials that show devastating decline began under Patterson

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • On migrant crisis, the U.S. and UK governments share a controversial tactic in common

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • 27% of Americans are still watching religious services online

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • ‘Leaders are formed in the leading,’ Bolsinger advises pastors

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • One year after Roe was overturned, states have a ‘hodgepodge of laws’

      NewsSteve Rabey

    • Shurden Lecture takes on the ‘myth of American chosenness’

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • What happens when Tom Ascol finds Ted Cruz to be too liberal and quotes Leviticus 20:13?

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Three billboards outside Nashville, Tennessee

      NewsRick Pidcock

    • Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina loses president and board chair in same week

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Faith-based immigration advocates hopeful about new bill in Congress

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Coalition urges White House not to overlook Black immigrants

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Gay Christian man says he was kicked off BWA commissions

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Southwestern trustees affirm their leadership and repudiate two trustees who raised alarms

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • How to fix anemic U.S. rural health care? Learn from Africa and look to the churches, Birx says

      NewsElizabeth Souder

    • Medical professionals address myths and misconceptions about transgender kids

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Juneteenth emancipation then and now

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • I’m relearning how to take Pride

      OpinionPatrick Wilson

    • Finding hope in the church despite these two documentaries

      OpinionErin Albin Hill

    • What I learned when I invited a friend to church who processes the world differently than me

      OpinionDebby Haralson

    • A friendly conversation on being ‘woke’

      OpinionRuss Dean

    • The right’s zero-tolerance policy on Pride

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • The whole gospel of God for a church and nation in crisis

      OpinionH. Stephen Shoemaker

    • The rhetorical genius of Rick Warren

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Remembering the Tulsa race massacre of 1921

      OpinionWendell Griffen

    • The Respect for Marriage Act helped de-escalate the culture wars

      OpinionTanner Bean

    • Is Rick Warren reviving the fight against the fundamentalist takeover of the SBC?

      OpinionMeredith Stone

    • An open letter to all Southern Baptists

      OpinionRick Warren

    • An open letter to Elijah Brown, Baptist World Alliance CEO

      OpinionRichard Wilson

    • Why this seminary professor’s view of MrBeast and his friend is deadly and dangerous

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • What I learned from Taylor Swift

      OpinionBill Wilson

    • Remembering Pulse nighclub and the power of affirmation

      OpinionMaina Mwaura

    • Working and waiting with people and plants

      OpinionBob Newell

    • Let’s reclaim the real Baptist identity

      OpinionJustin L. Addington

    • To the mother who complained about Amanda Gorman’s poem

      OpinionRobert P. Sellers

    • Rising from the ashes: God’s empowering message for displaced women

      OpinionRosaly Guzman

    • How the Progressive National Baptist Convention plans to put faith into action

      OpinionDarryl Gray

    • Believe me: The struggle of Black pain

      OpinionZachary Barber

    • They’ll know we are Christians by our what?

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • How to celebrate Pentecost without balloons, plastic doves or salsa

      OpinionJack Levison

    • The generational pain and hope of the Southern Baptist witch trials

      OpinionWill Raybon

    • Pope Benedict XVI’s cousins stand to inherit his money. None of them want it.

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Why Mike Pence thinks he has a prayer in 2024

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Pastor: We’ve heard much about ‘indoctrination.’ What do you call Catholic charter school?

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Arabic ‘In God We Trust’ signs will test limits of Louisiana’s law

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Flashpoint in Israel: Divide between religious and secular Jews heats up under Netanyahu’s rule

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Oklahoma OKs the nation’s first religious charter school – but litigation is likely to follow

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Why you might notice more religious groups at Pride celebrations this year

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Utah district’s Bible ban spurs protest by parents, Republicans

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Polish city throws children’s bubble party on top of Jewish graves

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Seattle’s Quest Church leaves ECC as church affirms LGBTQ Christians

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Vatican bank reports significant profit adopting Catholic ethics

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Thousands Gather Outside Colorado Capitol Calling On Governor To Ban All Guns

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Fighting For Peace: Russians Use Faith To Protest Invasion Of Ukraine Despite Risks

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Anti-hate mural showcasing Jewish diversity goes up in LA neighborhood where antisemitic shootings took place

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • What Happens When Christians and Muslims Translate Scripture Side by Side

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • How Biden has navigated LGBTQ issues as a Catholic president

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • New Capital Jewish Museum ‘connects the past to the present’ in downtown DC

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Arson investigation underway after fire burns Los Angeles church for second time in 2 years

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Lionized for his Jan. 6 antics, Jake Angeli finds his spiritual beliefs a harder sell

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Utah district bans Bible in elementary and middle schools ‘due to vulgarity or violence’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • In Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial, Jewish rituals feature as prominently as the carnage of the day

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Manipur Christians: ‘The Violence Has Shattered Us’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Pride flag glimpsed on ‘The Chosen’ set prompts call for boycott

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Why Chick-fil-A Is Drawing Fire Over a ‘Culture of Belonging’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Survey: Drop in Eastern European antisemitism may be due to Zelenskyy effect

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    Conversations that Matter.

    © 2023 Baptist News Global. All rights reserved.

    Want to share a story? We hope you will! Read our republishing, terms of use and privacy policies here.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS