What is a Stoker?
My new book titled, Stoker, will be released in July and I’m so excited to share it with you! Over the next month, I’ll be posting parts of the book with you right here on saints not sinners. If you don’t know what a stoker is or are curious as to why I titled my book this, check out this portion from the first chapter…
According to Webster, “A stoker is one who is employed to tend a furnace and supply it with fuel.” In other words, they’re the person who shovels coal. These stokers most often work on a steam ship or locomotive. This job is extremely important, yet it is often overlooked and underappreciated. (Ministry jobs am I right? I just blew the punch line but I wanted you to be sure you knew where I am going with this.) This job is highly skilled, comes with difficult work, and carries a heavy responsibility. The stoker is required to show up to work to get the furnace ready long before the steam ship or locomotive is scheduled to leave. If the furnace is not hot enough, the transportation will cease. If the furnace is too hot, the engines will overheat and could possibly explode. Can you imagine the stress this must cause the stoker?
When I started to study the life of stokers, I came across the crazy reality of what happened on the coal fed ocean liner RMS Titanic. The Titanic had approximately 176 stokers on board. During the sinking of the ship, these men disregarded their own safety and stayed below deck to keep the steam driven electric generators running for the telegraph, lighting, and water pumps. Only 48 of them survived. Wow. What an example of sacrifice.
When I think about people in ministry, specifically in youth ministry, I believe the title Stoker can best describe our “jobs”. As leaders, we are required to have skill, sacrificial attitudes, and servant hearts. Stokers exist to help keep the fire alive; to help keep things moving and moving in the right direction; to do the things that most people don’t want to do; to do the behind the scenes work without much recognition or appreciation. Our job as ministry stokers is to help keep the passion alive; to help keep the message of Jesus moving from generation to generation, to walk through tough, sticky, and painful experiences with people; to do the behind the scenes work knowing that we’re sons and daughters of the living King whether we are recognized and appreciated – or not. So why Stoker?
To empower you to be the leader God has called you to be.
To encourage you to run your race and be a pacesetter.
To equip you for how God is leading you in your own environment, in your own world, and in your own ways.