--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ministry sounds intimidating until you…" description: "\"“Ministry sounds intimidating until you develop a realistic view of what ministry is really about. Maybe you’re not gifted to preach sermons, start a r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0f/francis-chan-548_first-step_ministry-sounds-intimidating-until-you-d_3051919.jpg" --- # Ministry sounds intimidating until you develop a realistic… ![“Ministry sounds intimidating until you develop a realistic view of what ministry is really about. Maybe you’re not gifted to preach sermons, start a rehabilitation clinic, or lead a marriage retreat. But do you know people who struggle with sin? Do you know people who are carrying burdens? If so…” quote by Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0f/francis-chan-548_first-step_ministry-sounds-intimidating-until-you-d_3051919.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0f/francis-chan-548_first-step_ministry-sounds-intimidating-until-you-d_3051919.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0f/francis-chan-548_first-step_ministry-sounds-intimidating-until-you-d_3051919.jpg) > ““Ministry sounds intimidating until you develop a realistic view of what ministry is really about. Maybe you’re not gifted to preach sermons, start a rehabilitation clinic, or lead a marriage retreat. But do you know people who struggle with sin? Do you know people who are carrying burdens? If so, then your first steps toward ministry are easy: help them.”” [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ministry is less about grand talents and more about caring for those burdened by sin; simple acts of help are the core. **In simple terms:** Ministry is helping people with their struggles. Key Takeaway Serve where needs are greatest. Themes service faith humility Mood encouraging thoughtful Type practical spiritual When to use this quote - counseling - community service - support groups Key Concepts Christian ministry practical theology Questions to Reflect On - Who in your life needs practical help? - How can you serve without preaching? A Different Perspective Not everyone feels called to formal ministry roles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [First step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-step/) [First steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-steps/) [Ministry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ministry/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [How myopic it is to view His ministry as all crucifixion and no resurrection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/how-myopic-it-is-to-view-his-ministry-as-all-crucifixion-and-no/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [The man who finds the ministry an easy life will also find that it will bring a hard death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/the-man-who-finds-the-ministry-an-easy-life-will-also-find-that-it/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“Notice that God “places enmity” between Satan and Eve’s offspring. We struggle against sin, hating it in ourselves. If God hadn’t placed enmity between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-t-smith/notice-that-god-places-enmity-between-satan-and-eve-s-offspring-we/) [Winston T. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-t-smith/) > [“Even after we have been saved our sinful flesh craves unrighteousness. In fact, the presence of the struggle itself can be affirmation that God’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful-flesh-craves-unrighteousness-2/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“Likewise, we continue to follow Jesus as we struggle with sin. Repentance ushers us into a life of greater struggle, not out of one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/likewise-we-continue-to-follow-jesus-as-we-struggle-with-sin/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“In confession the break-through to community takes place. Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/in-confession-the-break-through-to-community-takes-place-sin-demands/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“We cannot tolerate failure in our struggle with sin chiefly because we are success-oriented, not because we know it is offensive to God. God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hunt/we-cannot-tolerate-failure-in-our-struggle-with-sin-chiefly-because/) Josh Hunt > [Our first problem is that our attitude towards sin is more self-centred than God-centred. We are more concerned about our own "Victory" over sin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/our-first-problem-is-that-our-attitude-towards-sin-is-more-self/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [“But this is the brilliant truth that outshines the lie: God is totally used to dealing with human imperfection. He has always worked in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-foth-aughtmon/but-this-is-the-brilliant-truth-that-outshines-the-lie-god-is-totally/) Susanna Foth Aughtmon > [“Our first problem is that our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered. We're more concerned about our own "victory" over sin than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/our-first-problem-is-that-our-attitude-toward-sin-is-more-self/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [ “The doctrine of the carnal Christian\[32\] has destroyed more lives and sent more people to hell than you can imagine! Do Christians struggle with… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/the-doctrine-of-the-carnal-christian-32-has-destroyed-more-lives-and/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [Life is a struggle because of sin; a spiritual battle between good vs. evil. life is a complicated process itself. for every action there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-mond/life-is-a-struggle-because-of-sin-a-spiritual-battle-between-good-vs/) [London Mond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-mond/) > [“Even after we have been saved our sinful flesh craves unrighteousness. In fact, the presence of the struggle itself can be affirmation that God’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-greear/even-after-we-have-been-saved-our-sinful-flesh-craves-unrighteousness/) [J.D. Greear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-greear/) > [“I remember wondering, within a year or two of taking my first steps, why only men sat to drink tea and converse, and why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hill/i-remember-wondering-within-a-year-or-two-of-taking-my-first-steps/) [Lawrence Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hill/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) ## More by Francis Chan > [If you want to see the big stuff that God has, you've got to take some risk and trust only in the Gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/if-you-want-to-see-the-big-stuff-that-god-has-you-ve-got-to-take-some/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [God is compassionate and just, loving and holy, wrathful and forgiving. WE can't sideline His more difficult attributes to make room for the palatable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/god-is-compassionate-and-just-loving-and-holy-wrathful-and-forgiving/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“In the midst of our failed attempts at loving Jesus, His grace covers us. Each of us has lukewarm elements and practices in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/in-the-midst-of-our-failed-attempts-at-loving-jesus-his-grace-covers/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Jesus' call to commitment is clear: He wants all or nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/jesus-call-to-commitment-is-clear-he-wants-all-or-nothing/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Yes, it is God who works in you. And, yes, there is work for you to do. Yes, the Spirit empowers you to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/yes-it-is-god-who-works-in-you-and-yes-there-is-work-for-you-to-do/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/the-point-of-your-life-is-to-point-to-him-whatever-you-are-doing-god/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/lukewarm-people-love-others-but-do-not-seek-to-love-others-as-much-as/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“Life is comfortable when you separate yourself from people who are different from you. That epitomizes what my life was like: characterized by comfort.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/life-is-comfortable-when-you-separate-yourself-from-people-who-are/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Christ can come back at any time so the one thing you want to have in your life is a focused prayer time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/christ-can-come-back-at-any-time-so-the-one-thing-you-want-to-have-in/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“Awe Factor” video at www.crazylovebook.com to get a taste of the awe factor of our God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/awe-factor-video-at-www-crazylovebook-com-to-get-a-taste-of-the-awe/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“What I want you to do right now is to go online and look at the “Awe Factor” video at www.crazylovebook.com to get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/what-i-want-you-to-do-right-now-is-to-go-online-and-look-at-the-awe/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Multi-tasking is keeping me from whole-hearted worship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/multi-tasking-is-keeping-me-from-whole-hearted-worship/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [The stress that some of us feel - it's a lack of faith, it really is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/the-stress-that-some-of-us-feel-it-s-a-lack-of-faith-it-really-is/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [We have become dangerously comfortable- believers ooze with wealth and let their addictions to comfort and security numb the radical urgency of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/we-have-become-dangerously-comfortable-believers-ooze-with-wealth-and/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Not being able to understand God is frustrating, but it is ridiculous for us to think we have the right to limit God to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/not-being-able-to-understand-god-is-frustrating-but-it-is-ridiculous/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) [Explore all 479 Francis Chan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) ## More First step quotes > [Peace is an ongoing process. 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If they know you and see that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-murphy/larry-kramer-wisely-realized-so-early-on-that-to-change-the-world/) [Ryan Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-murphy/) > [“How, then, do you make failure into something people can face without fear? Part of the answer is simple: If we as leaders can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/how-then-do-you-make-failure-into-something-people-can-face-without/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“A skillful literary artist has constructed a tale. If wise, he has not fashioned his thoughts to accommodate his incidents; but having conceived, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/a-skillful-literary-artist-has-constructed-a-tale-if-wise-he-has-not/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [The cultural integration of psychedelics won't happen overnight, and the question of young people is perhaps the most difficult involved. The first step is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-doblin/the-cultural-integration-of-psychedelics-won-t-happen-overnight-and/) [Rick Doblin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-doblin/) > [“Women create an idealized, hopeful vision for the future to inspire other women. Fiction and fantasy are the crucial first steps to changing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-rodale/women-create-an-idealized-hopeful-vision-for-the-future-to-inspire/) [Maya Rodale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-rodale/) > [“What liberty we find when we trade self-esteem for God-esteem, relying on what God’s Word says about us rather than looking solely to our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-gallier/what-liberty-we-find-when-we-trade-self-esteem-for-god-esteem-relying/) [Laura Gallier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-gallier/) > [How do you turn the invisible into the visible? 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