I wrote this article and posted it at www. Whole-Listic-christian-ministries.org
But since I am in the process of moving my Pastor's Corner here to God's Word In Exposition I thought I would do a reprint here:-)
The calling into the Gospel ministry comes with it the greatest responsibility that can be bestowed upon anyone in this entire world. There are several reasons for this, but the first and foremost reason is the “call” of a minister does not come by man, just going to a bible school or seminary or by man made means, but the true call to ministry comes from Jehovah God, the Sovereign Majesty of the Universe. Because of this, your calling into the ministry should aways be taken as a “living” calling and a “high” calling from the true and living God. God is the only one that can make your ministry effective. Unfortunately, we live in a society where too many ministers take that call for granted, resulting in countless lives marred by misinformation, false preaching, ministers with little or no integrity causing a growing "black eye" on the ministry, the "institution" church and ministers in general. I invite you to take time to read the article that was written on the calling of true ministers and what it takes to really minister. I ask for your constructive feedback.
God said in Jeremiah 3:15 "I will give you pastors after my own heart who shall feed you with knowledge. and understanding. God alone chooses ministers and their area of ministry. In Isaiah 43:10-11, Isaiah said that God chose us to be his witnesses and servants. In order to start out right in ministry, we must get to know God personally. We must learn how to trust and believe in him completely. We must realize that there never was and never will be any other God but him or like him because HE alone is GOD and Jesus the "only" Savior that we will ever have!
God said in Amos 7: 14- 15 that no true man of God called himself to this ministry. Using the call of Amos for an example, Amos was a herdsman and a dresser of figs trees and a gatherer of figs when God called him to be a prophet. From this, we can see that God calls people from all walks of life, wherever you were socially or professionally. God called us to proclaim his "living" word to a "dying" world. God never intended that any one should die eternally but everybody would repent and accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah and live in eternity. The purpose of our call then mirrors that of John the Baptist, who as a forerunner proclaimed the coming of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world..The difference is, John proclaimed his first coming. We proclaim that he has already come, gone to Calvary, was hung on a cross to die for our sins, then buried in Joseph of Arrmithea's new tomb, and on early sunday morning, HE AROSE with all power in his hands, ascended to heaven and soon one day promises to return back to earth for his people dead or alive to carry them home to be with him for all eternity.
In John 1: 6- 8, John was sent by God to testify and to witness about Jesus. John was not the “light” but a "witness bearer" of the "Light" (Jesus).
This brings out 2 important things every minister must remember: First, we must remember no matter how popular we may become or how gifted we are, we are not the "light". Secondly, we are witness for Jesus Christ. Even though we may minister locally, our ministry is in reality global. Global, because as we spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in and from our locality, The people who are saved because of our witnessing will be compelled to spread the same good news about Jesus wherever they go. In 1 Timothy 1: 11- 12, Paul reminded Timothy that we have been entrusted with the Gospel and empowered (given the strength and ability) to carry out the work because God had judged us and counted us faithful and trustworthy to be stewards of His sacred word. Finally, the Holy Spirit plays an equally important role in the calling or a minister as well as the conversion of an individual. In Acts 20: 28, Paul told us that the Holy Spirit made us “overseers” and in this, the Holy Spirit guides the minister in feeding and shepherding the flock, (church) reminding them that they were “purchased” by the blood of Jesus Christ. Because of this, we are to take heed and be watchful with constant prayer for ravenous spiritual wolves trying to infiltrate and destroy the flock, taking no prisoners. For this reason, we are not afforded to take our calling lightly. It's imperative that we walk worthy of our calling for God said “Be ye holy for I am holy!”
In these times of unrest and uncertainty, God is calling on true ministers to come forth and stand forth, clothed from head to toe in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18) and preach, teach and reach the lost, the hopeless and the helpless with the uncompromised gospel (good news) of the saving power of Jesus Christ!
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