Ambition and Christian Ministry

I remember the older pastor asking me, when I was just starting out in ministry, "Where do you hope to be in twenty years?"

I was shocked by his question. Me? Oh I just hope to be servant-hearted enough to go wherever the bishop sends me. I just hope to be a good pastor who loves his people.

"Be careful son," the wise old man advised. "When you won't admit your ambition, you are setting yourself up for future disappointment when your unacknowledged, unsought ambitions are unrealized or when this sort of lying becomes routine." Ouch.

Will Willimon, on ambition and Christian ministry