Graduation season is upon us, which for many graduates means the frightening reality of finding a ministerial position. We have all heard the horror stories of the same scenario countlessly repeating itself. The graduating student applies himself both in church and school, only to find few ministry positions available providing both adequate financial security and an opportunity for full-time ministry. Instead of an immediate call to a ministry position, the graduate finds himself making ends meet in a transitory job, questioning both the very nature of his calling and God’s faithfulness.

No matter which form of ministry one pursues — pastoral ministry, church planting, missions, or some bi-vocational venture — each graduate will have to face the eventual realization that ministry jobs are not easy to find, even for the most proactive students.

Six practical encouragements

In light of this reality, I want to offer six practical encouragements that every job seeking graduate should incorporate into his ministry search. These suggestions are not magical formulas to ensure employment or a successful career, but they will guide your heart towards contentment rather than resentment.

1. Continue seeking God’s will for you and your family’s life.

It’s easy to trust the Lord in the small things, but then attempt to carry the weight of life’s biggest decisions. For numerous reasons, this is unwise. In the same way that God can be trusted with providing the basic necessities of life, so too can he be trusted with the biggest decisions of your future. If Jeremiah 29:11 is true and God actually does “know the plans that I have for you,” then trust him now in your hour of uncertainty.

2. Accept that you are located where God wants you.

God makes no mistakes. Therefore, be content in the church where you are currently involved and in the ministry opportunities that the Lord has provided. Paul confidently asserts in Philippians 4:11 that he has “learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” While undoubtedly Paul’s circumstances were different than yours (in fact probably much worse), the principle remains the same. Accept where the Lord has currently placed you, and be content with his timing. The Lord has not forgotten you.

“Be content in the church where you are currently involved and in the ministry opportunities that the Lord has provided.”

3. Regardless of the size, be faithful in your current ministry opportunities.

Far too often graduates consider themselves too busy with job searching to remain invested in their current ministry and local church. Yet, God has called each of us to be faithful in the ministry context he has provided, while still anticipating a future ministry. Being faithful can mean anything from volunteering for the next church sponsored evangelism outing, cleaning the church, visiting shut-in members, preaching in a nursing home, or serving in the nursery.

The Bible continually demonstrates that when we are faithful in the ministry opportunities that God gives us, then the Lord will somehow provide. Jesus affirms this teaching in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:23 by stating, “You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things.” Be faithful now regardless of the size or influence of the ministry opportunity, and the Lord will in some way bless your effort.

4. Be willing to humbly serve in different forms of ministry wherever the Lord leads.

Regrettably, upon graduation many graduates assume they are both completely prepared for the ministry, as well as too important for positions seemingly beneath them. Though they might never express it, many graduates already have stipulations about which jobs to consider. For many reasons, this is foolish. I am convinced that if an aspiring minister is not at least willing to go wherever God leads, then God will either break him of his stubbornness or not use him at all.

“If an aspiring minister is not willing to go wherever God leads, then God will either break him of his stubbornness or not use him at all.”

In Matthew 16:24, Jesus claimed, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself.” Jesus is very clear in this assertion. Following Christ does not include your preconceived notion of an adequately sized church, ministry partners, or specific ministerial positions. Sometimes God calls ministers to a smaller church, remote village, or rural, fledgling church. As John Piper famously has noted, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” Therefore, be satisfied with what the Lord provides you, and be open to wherever he leads. Be willing to consider where God might be guiding you and your family if you are receptive to the Lord’s guidance.

5. Don’t attempt to be someone else–be who God made you.

Whether in your resume or an interview, be yourself. Yes, it is always good to present well and to be respectful, but don’t try to be someone who you are not. Have confidence in the skills and abilities that the Lord has given you. If you’re an extrovert, demonstrate your outgoing personality to the pastor search committee. If you’re an introvert, don’t shy away from making other personality traits known to the mission agency. The truth is, churches and mission agencies want to know who you are, your goals, and your convictions. Be confident that the Lord didn’t make a mistake in uniquely creating you.

6. Since before your birth, God has known where he will place you.

The Bible is clear about this–God has made plans for you well before you ever took your first breath. Jeremiah 1:5 leaves no doubt, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” Not only was Jeremiah known and formed before birth, but he was also rebuked for his initial uncertainty in speaking. God promised Jeremiah in verse 9, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth”. God routinely enables Christians to be prepared for where he will send them. At the burning bush in Exodus 3:11, after Moses claimed not to have the courage or the words to speak to Pharaoh, God again rebuked his messenger saying, “Certainly I will be with you.” Again in 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul exhorts Timothy, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness.” The Bible is clear–God knows you, has a plan for you, and will adequately prepare you for his ministerial calling.

While none of these six encouragements guarantee ministry placement, they are helpful in reminding us that at times God is most glorified when our plans and expectations collapse. As difficult as it is to believe and experience, sometimes God is most glorified when aspiring pastors, missionaries, and youth ministers are forced to work in restaurants, furniture stores, or cell phone companies. If this is you, do not be discouraged. God has a plan, and his will for your life has not been thwarted just because you haven’t been hired to a ministry position yet.

God is faithful

God is faithful, and his promises are sure (Psalm 18:30). Therefore, whether you are a recent college or seminary graduate and beginning to start your search for a ministry position, or whether you are a seasoned graduate who has experienced discouragement from the lack of job opportunities, remember that God is still sovereign.

He is still on his throne, and he has a plan. If he could equip and put words into Jeremiah’s mouth, then so too can he provide a ministerial opportunity for you.

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Jeremiah Greever is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of St. John in St. Louis Missouri, and graduated with his Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary this spring. He also served as a research intern in the office of the president for Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. You can follow him on Twitter