School of Ministry Ti e Ca lm to Service ~ Pa ru 2
Homework this week Watched the next 2 videos on the “ The Nature of Jesus ” Write a brief summary of the videos—include: Why we desperately need servant-leaders in the Church today. Why we (you specifically) struggle to be a servant. The power of servanthood to change relationships, the culture of the local Church and your contentment in life. Ask Rick Shultz to show you where the cleaning supplies are and how to use them.
Speaking of servants Our servant leaders
One of the realities of being in the ministry is that you will pour into people’s lives, sow seeds of God‘s sees and knows and that’s enough. Most will never show any gratitude, but the Lord the fruit of your labors and watching them thrive. something you didn’t give them. The joy is seeing know more, who expect more or felt entitled to attacks and criticisms from people who think they from family to counsel people in crisis, the personal to bring a fresh message from God, the hours away the hours of prayer for the people, hours of study pastor is knowing God is the rewarder. God sees to the next level with God. The comfort for the even though they are now healthy and ready to go failed them or how much better the new place is know what a terrible job you’ve done, how you’ve principle. Sometimes when they leave, they let you of your ministry in their lives. It’s a kingdom leave blessed and another man will reap the fruits love and grace into people’s lives and then they will “Let it rise” Holland Davis
October is Pastor Appreciation Month! Damian & Karin Kyle Bob & Julie Horton Ken & Rita Marr Mike & Tracy Veneman Hadji & Kristi Tom & Jennifer Henderson Hindman Mark & Sarah Carson Gordon & Dawn Johnson
The Call to Ministry Some djsu inctions
Every Christian is called to minister 1Cor. 12-14 & Romans 12 make it abundantly clear that every believer has been gifted & empowered by the Holy Spirit to minister . “ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:” ~ 1Cor. 12:8 “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” ~ 1Cor. 12:11
You may be called to ministry That is, your vocation may have a direct ministerial component to it. This category does not require you to meet the qualifications of an “elder” in the Pastoral Epistles. But, you have chosen to use your time, talent & treasure to advance the Kingdom of God.
Examples “There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.” Mark 15:40-41
Examples Children’s Church Director Christian Camp Counselor Teacher at a Christian school Kathy, Rick, Deb, Jeremy, Robin, etc.
Called to the ministry This is God’s call to positions of leadership in the Church as defined in Ephesians 4:11-12, 1Tim. 3:1-7 & Titus 1:6-9. While each office (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor & Teacher) are different all are commanded to minister the Word of God . Thus Paul lists that the “overseer” must be “ able to teach ” along with the additional requirements for a position of leadership in the church.
Called to… Whether you are called to minister, called to ministry, or called to the ministry… …your service (ministry) matters! That’s what the Bible says! (1Cor. 12)
How do you know if you are Ca lm ed to thf min it try?
So…how do you know if you are called to the ministry… If y ov dj dn’t receive a v it ion like Ezekiel, hear God sq eak from a burning bu si like Mos et dj d, or gf t knocked o ff a horse & hear thf voice of J et us like Saul dj d?
Do you desire the ministry? The apostle Paul wrote; “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a [a] bishop, he desires a good work.” 1Timothy 3:1
The physician’s dilemma “ I w ov ld say ti at thf only man who it ca lm ed to preach it thf man who cannot do any ti ing else…”
“…in the sense that he is not satisfied with anything else . This call to preach is so put upon him, and such pressure comes to bear upon him that he says, ‘I can do nothing else, I must preach.” –Martyn Lloyd-Jones
My own experience
Does your character meet God’s expectations? God’s call upon a man’s life must be manifest by a Christ-like character . 1Timothy 3:1-7 & Titus 1:6-9 are non-negotiable . These are God’s expectations to enter the ministry & to remain in the ministry. Godly character is the fruit of a surrendered life to the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. In other words…it’s a choice .
Character Counts Set up parameters in your life so that the temptation to sin and the opportunity to act on that temptation never cross paths!
Guys ~ never be alone with a woman that you are not related to! Ex. Prayer after service, counseling, ministry, traveling companion Set up an accountability protocol for handling money. Ex. handling tithes, setting compensation & spending money, clear paper trails Give your peers permission to call you out if they see a prideful attitude. Ex. be open to correction from staff, friends & pastors from other churches & set up accountability with a pastor that you look to as the “Paul” in your life.
My own experience Removed a pastor for growing marijuana in his church! Removed a pastor for a number of indiscretions that ruined his reputation in his church. Removed a pastor who lied to his elders.
Has God gifted you to teach His Word? “able to teach ” 1Timothy 3:2 “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach , patient…” 2Tim. 2:24 (pastor Tim in view) “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” Titus 1:9
A man may have many pastoral gifts, but if he does not posses the gift to teach then he is not called to the ministry of a pastor. This is because the primary calling of the pastor is to teach & preach God’s word.
How do you know if you have the gift of teaching? Ti e si eep l it ten, learn & grow!
Do you have a passion for the study & teaching of God’s word? Do the people of God benefit from your teaching & preaching? Does your church & do other pastors sense a gifting in you & affirm your ability to teach God’s word? If the answer is “ yes ”, these are signs that you are called to teach… …& maybe that you are also called to the ministry of a pastor.
My own experience If thf si eep don’t l it ten, learn & grow ti en y ov probably don’t have thf gi fu to teach & ti ereby are not ca lm ed to be a pa su or . Ex. We’ lm ca lm him “ Ma tu ”
Do you love God’s people? Ministry is like marriage ~ you must be willing to sacrifice yourself & your desires for the good of God’s people. That’s the definition of “love” ~ putting others before self.
–Peter wrote… “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” 1Peter 5:1-4
“Shepherd’s like to be around sheep” –Chuck Smith
My own experience Loving God’s people doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to posses a “warm” personality! There are some great pastors who love God’s people but are more wooden than warm ! Loving God’s people does mean that a pastor is willing to suffer for the good of the people. Ex. There’s a right way & a wrong way to transition to a new pastor.
Do you possess the gift of Wisdom ? One of the main differences between a pastor/ teacher & a teacher is that the pastor must possess the gift of wisdom . To lead the flock To navigate the challenges of life To provide godly counsel to the sheep
A Teacher Teach a Christian foundation class Fill-in the pulpit Teach a SOM course Teach in Sunday school Teach in a Bible College or Seminary
Are you called to the ministry ? Do you desire the ministry? Does your character match God’s expectations? Has God gifted you to teach ? Do you love God’s people? Do you possess the gift of wisdom ?
If you answered “yes” to all those requirements… You may be called to the ministry of a pastor While you are waiting for the Lord to open an opportunity use your time to prepare yourself. Study the Word Study theology Serve faithfully where God has placed you
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