If I am called by God, why should I become a credentialed minister?

I guess I have to answer that question with a question. Why would you not want a recognized ministerial credential from an organization? Would you want an attorney representing you that was not recognized by the "bar association"? or a surgeon performing an operation on you who had not been officially recognized by the medical association? I don't think so. True, those God calls, He also ordains. However, man's outward regonition of one's inward calling only further validates God's plan for your life. Credentials won't limit your freedom to minister. More than likely, they will open a world of possibilities to you. Credentials provide opportunity for fellowship and accountability. There is the ability to network with those of like faith and doctrine. The credntialing body offers resources to its members. There are many worthwhile organizations to consider. Hopefully, if you are called to ministry, you will consider the Assemblies of God. You can find more about who we are are and what we believe by clicking this link to our Statement of Faith. Want to learn more about our District's credentialing process? Click on credentials. I hope that this series on the "call" has opened your eyes, ears, mind, and heart to God's possibilities for your life. Still have questions? Contact me.

If I am called, where should I get my training?

This is a very good question to consider as you pursue God's plan and purpose for your life of ministry. Your options are many, thus it is very important to seek God in this matter and investigate those options that you lean toward.

There are many good Bible colleges across the country from which you can choose. And depending on your calling, you may want to consider a seminary for an advanced degree. Since I am a credentialed Assemblies of God minister, I will focus on what I know best, that is Assemblies of God schools and ministry preparation.

In our Fellowship, there are ninteen schools to choose from. Wow! That's a lot. It can make decision making somewhat confusing at times. So, consider which school offers a degree in a ministry related field of your interest or calling, such as pastoral, missions, youth ministries, theology, etc. You may want to consider whether the school is accredited or not. Still seems like a lot of choices? Then consider the distance away from home. If you live in the northeast, as I do, did you know that there are two A/G Bible colleges represented? They are Valley Forge Christian College in Phoenixville, PA and Zion Bible College in Barrington, RI.

If you are a slightly older individual receiving a call and cannot attend a Bible college because of family or employment commitments, there is the option of distance education. There is the option of correspondence and web based learning available. Berean School of the Bible is an endorsed learning option available through Global University. This is a diploma level program that meets the minimum educational requirements in the A/G. Global University also offers a degree program through distance education. In fact, there are several of our A/G Bible colleges that are now offering distance education.

Another route to consider for ministerial preparation is Master's Commission. These are intense discipleship programs that mesh together study and ministry service to prepare students for ministry. We have two MC programs in Northern New England. They are Burlington Masters Commission and Seacoast Masters Commission.

Whatever route of ministry preparation you choose, God will be with you. If He has called you, He will also guide you down the right ministry training path.

What should I do if I think I am called?

Seek out counsel. Talk about your call or possible call with your pastor or youth pastor. In my denominational fellowship, the Assemblies of God, we have District Youth Directors. Contact them and let them know that you are following God's call in your life. And don't overlook your parents if you are a teen who is reading this blog. The scriptures tell us that there is wisdom in the multitude of counselors.

Some more advice that I would give in response to the question, "What should I do if I think I am called?" would be this. Get involved in ministry within your local church. Teach in a Sunday School class. Assist adult leaders. Learn by watching and listening to others who are already in ministry. Ask your pastor or youth pastor to mentor you. Develop your people skills. Learn how to resolve differences without causing division and strife. Develop your abilities to get along with people -- even the most stubborn person. Why? Because ministry is all about people.

Are you called? I would enjoy hearing from you. Drop me a note. Two more thoughts to consider regarding the call: "Where should I go to get my training?" and "Why should I become a credentialed minister?" I will try to answer those questions next week. In the mean time, have a great weekend. I head north to what we call "The County" to minister in one of our newer church plants. It will be fun! It's true. You read right. Ministry is fun!!

What if I am called but I don't feel qualified?

Don't panic if that's you. Check it out in your Bible. Just about everyone called felt inadequate for the task to which they were called. Abraham, Moses, Gideon, and the apostle Paul to name a few felt their inadequacy. There are many more heroes of the faith throughout history who allowed God to raise His standard high above them. God uses those who make themselves available to Him. Those God calls, He also equips! Don't let your feeling of inadequacy hold you back from pursuing the call of God on your life. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." (Hebrews 11:1-2 NIV)

How can I be sure that I am called?

I must have heard this question dozens and dozens of times in the course of my conversations with people about the call of God. It is an important question to ask as one pursues God's will for their life, especially when it comes to ministry. Knowing that you are called will keep you going during the rough and difficult and challenging times of ministry. The call is something one can always turn back to, if "you know that you know that you know" you are called.

If God has called you, He will make that call clear to you. There will be the witness of three: God's Word (Scripture), God's Spirit dwelling within you, and the witness of a mature Christian friend. All three will confirm the call. All three will agree. God can and does use your local church and close Christian friends to help make your call clear.

Somewhere during the course of my years in ministry, I came across these five "tests" which can help you to discern the genuineness of your call. The five tests are:

1. The test of "grace." Are you saved? Do you live a holy life? Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in your life?

2. The test of "gifts." Are you being used in the Spiritual gifts?

3. The test of "fruit." Are you influencing others? Are you open about your faith? Have you led others closer to the Lord through your witness?

4. The test of "an abiding sense of a divine call." Is there an inner awareness of God's leading? Do you feel like you have this passionate drive to serve others? Are you ready to pay the price and give yourself wholeheartedly to the preparation needed to fulfill God's calling?

5. The test of "open doors." Has the Lord opened doors for your preparation for ministry? Have you had opportunities to use your talents and giftings in your present setting in the local church?

Theses are all good questions to ask yourself. If you are answering them in a positive way, it is very likely that you can be sure of God's call in your life.

How do I know God's call?

This is a question I have been asked often. It's a good question to ask because what we really are asking is how can I discern God's will or plan for my life. I like the story of Peter's calling in Luke 5. In this passage, we find Peter cleaning the fishing nets in preparation for the next night of fishing. Jesus is near by teaching. In order to get Peter's full attention, Jesus steps into Peter's boat along the shore and invites Peter to get into the boat with him and push out a little from the shore. Peter is now in a position and place to clearly hear what Jesus is speaking without any distractions. That to me is the key to discovering God's call and knowing it is God who is speaking.

There are those who have proclaimed to have heard God's audible voice. That is very possible. But for most of us the call has occurred in a much more subtle way. It began with a hunger and thirsting to draw closer to God, to know Him in a deeper way. There is a diesire to study His Word and spend time with God and with other believers. Others have said that they had a "mental conversation" with God. That is, it was as if they and God were having a conversation in their thoughts. There is this awareness that God is asking more of us, to sort of step up to the plate and join His team. Still, for others, there is just an inner sense or feeling that one must just say "yes" to God's call. There is this "tugging" at one's heart to give all to God.

Again the key is being in a quiet place and position, without distractions, in order to be able to discern what God is saying. specifically to you. And then launch out in faith as did Peter, into deep water. The call may appear to have unreasonable demands, but it requires faithfulness and obedience. It involves cooperation and sharing with others around you. The call results in complete surrender and commitment to a new and much more rewarding task. Read Luke 5:1-11 for yourself and observe Peter's call to a Kingdom task. The call is not about "me." It is about doing the will of God.

How does God call people?

Today, I continue my thoughts about God's call upon people's lives into ministry. As I have said in my other blogs about the call, everyone is called, but some receive a special call to serve God for a life time in special service to Him. Most people will choose what they want to do to earn a living. But that's not the case when God calls an individual to specialized ministry on His behalf. People do not choose to become pastors, missionaries, evangelists, youth pastors or some other form of licensed or ordained minister in the church. They are called.

Some people are called in a dramtic fashion. Remember Moses' call by the burning bush? However, I think most people experience the call as a growing conviction or desire from a deep commitment to fulfill God's will in their lives.

God calls people from every walk in life and every stage in life. Children and teenagers are especially sensitive to God's voice when He calls. Remember Samuel's call in 1 Samuel 3? God can call us when we are alone, often when reading our Bible and praying. Sometimes He calls us through a word spoken by the youth pastor or pastor.

Your call can occur at a youth rally, youth convention or camp. It might happen in a Sunday school class, a missions convention, in a small group, or in a Sunday morning service. This call can even occur in your bedroom.

What am I saying? There is no one formula that God uses to call people. The key is to be open to the possibility that God may be calling you.

Who does God call?

Now that's a good question. We know that God calls all to salvation and service. But remember, I am talking about being called to a life time of ministry such as pastor, evangelist, missionary, youth pastor, etc.

God uses all kind of people in ministry. In the Scriptures, we find God calling young, old, educated and uneducated, shepherds and kings, Gentile and Jew, men and women, to fulfill His purposes. The disciples were merchants, farmers, fishermen, and tax collectors. The Bible described some of them as unlearned or unschooled, ordinary men. However, the disciples all had one thing in common. They had been with Jesus and were filled with the Holy Spirit. You too can spend time with Jesus and be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Today God is still calling all kinds of people into special service to Him, His Church, and to the world. Some are multi-talented. Others are outgoing and find making friends easy. Still others are quiet and reserved, or shy, but can readily build strong and solid relationships with others. They are trusted. Some are good public speakers, on stage, in front of a crowd. Others work behind the scenes with their shirt sleeves rolled up. They are intent on getting the job done. It doesn't matter what your personality, or talents, or giftings, or abilities or your experiences are. God can use you if you will let Him. It really doesn't matter from what background of life you are from. The key ingredient is your availability - Your willingness to say, "Yes, Lord. Here am I. Use me."

What do you want to be when you grow up?

When I was a teenager, that question was asked of me often. In fact, now I find myself asking that question often to teenagers I have contact with. Or I ask a similar question, "What are you going to do with your life?" Or this one, "What is your goal in life?" or even "If you could be anyone or anything, what is it that you would like to do to impact and make the world a better place?" It is absolutely fun to hear the answers, or to see the wheels of thought begin in one's face, expression, and body language. Some stumble along looking for an answer. Others are honest and say, "I don't know. Then still others know exactly what it is that they want to do.

I often conclude those moments with something like this. "Have you ever considered the calling of God on your life?" The seed has been planted (I'm trying to do that right now with you). I know that as Christians, whatever vocation one enters, it is to be ministry. I believe we are to minister, to be servants of Christ to our world. I hope you are. However, I also believe that God places special tasks on people for ministry in His Church and to the world (Ephesians 4:11).

God needs people who will give their lives to serve Him in specialized ministries such as pastors, missionaries, youth pastors, children's pastors, teachers, and evangelists, to name just a few. Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:37-38 NIV). Could it be that God is calling you? Do you know a young person God may be calling? There is no age limit when it comes to God's calling.

I love the ministry. Yes, it can difficult. Yes it can be challeging. BUT being a minister is a great calling! It is an honor and blessing to be a servant to God and people. Being a minister is a demanding task. But being a minister is also a rewarding experience! Being a minister takes a special person. It takes a CALLED person.

God might be calling you. You ask, "How will I know that?" Over the course of the next few days, I hope to answer that question. In the mean time, if you are considering the call of God or even just thinking about becoming a minister of the gospel as a vocation, I would love to hear from you. Maybe you know someone else who is considering God's call in their life, then why not direct them toward this blog.

Expectancy

I recently read these words from Luke:

(17) And it came about one day that He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. (18) And behold, some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in, and to set him down in front of Him. (19) And not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, right in the center, in front of Jesus. (20) And seeing their faith, He said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you." (21) And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" (22) But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? (23) "Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? (24) "But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," — He said to the paralytic — "I say to you, rise, and take up your stretcher and go home." (25) And at once he rose up before them, and took up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. (26) And they were all seized with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen remarkable things today." Luke 5:17-26 NASB

The phrase "and the power of the Lord was present" grabbed my attention. I thought Jesus always had the power of the Lord present in His life? What does this mean? There were times that he could not perform miracles because of unbelief. For example, Matthew wrote that Jesus was unable to do many miracles in his home town because of the people's doubt and unbelief (Matthew 13:58). What is interesting is the clash of unbelief and faith between two groups of people in the above verses. There were the religious people representeed by the Pharisees and teachers of the law and then there were the men, who apparently had faith in Jesus to heal, who carried the paralyzed man to Jesus so that he would do somethig about it. There is also the the individual in need. I wonder what his thoughts about Jesus were up to this point?

So what was it that caused the power of the Lord to be present? I think it is found in the opening words, "And it came about one day that He was teaching." God's word causes hope to rise up in the hearts of individuals to believe. It is the responsibility of those proclaiming God's word to live out His word. It is the responsibility of the listener to accept it. It is obvious that not everyone was accepting. It is obvious not everyone was expecting. It is obvious that there were some looking for an excuse to criticize. What are your thoughts on this matter?

New Year's Leadership Resolutions

A lot of people begin the new year with good intentions, but few end the year fulfilling those intentions. I subscribe to a weekly email from John Maxwell, called "Leadership Wired." It is filled with great articles and thought provoking material. In his last email newsletter to me, Maxwell summarized 50 superstars of the business community on how we can succeed in leading during the New Year. This survey was done by Business 2.0.

Maxwell's summary follows:

"Authenticity - If you’re not fighting to stay true to who you are, life will pigeonhole you in a confining role. It’s up to you to consistently position yourself to the areas of your greatest strength and passion.

Trust – Chronic suspicion is suicide in leadership. Be willing to risk in your relationships by reaching out with trust. In response, you’ll earn respect and devotion.

Simplicity - Slice and dice so that in 2007, less becomes more. Focus your energy by making fewer goals, but committing to keep the ones you create. Instead of adding appointments, concentrate on bringing your “A” game to each and every meeting."

I like those three words from the business community. They are very biblically based. It is important that we as pastors and spiritual leaders focus our efforts this coming year on these very same qualities in our personal lives and in our ministries.

If you would like to read the complete article, click on this link to the article AUTHENTICITY, TRUST, and SIMPLICITY. You can subscribe to John Maxwell's Leadership Wired by going his web site. Simply click on this link: Injoy.

Good Story Telling

This morning I was reading from Matthew 13 (NIV) and read the following: "That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying . . ." (verses 1-3) The phrase, told them many things in parables caught my attention. I began to contemplate how relevant Jesus was in his time and how relevant he remains in this day too. Relevancy, it is absolutely necessary for the church and God's people. Relevancy without compromise. Relevancy without watering down the Truth. Relevancy without exageration in our story telling.

I can almost picture Jesus getting into the boat and sitting down somwhere along the shore line the Sea of Galilee. This past June I visited Israel and enjoyed the Galilee region. It is very picturesque. The hillsides and farm land that flow down toward the sea makes for some very pretty photographs. Farmers and fishermen must have been plenty in Jesus' day. So on this day he told a story, actually several stories (parables). Most of them in this chapyter dealt with farming. When he was done with his first story the disciples asked the question, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" (verse 10 NIV) That question perked my interest this morning. Why do I tell stories, use illustrations, and analogies? What am I trying to accomplish with my story telling?

I like Jesus' response to the disciples question from the version called The Message. He replied, ". . . I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight." I like that answer. Relevant story telling nudges people toward receptivity and insight.

I want to be an effective communicator. I don't want the focus on me. I want the audience I am speaking too, to focus on the message. I am sure you want be an effective communicator also. This Sunday night and and next I will speaking to youth, subbing for our youth pastor who is with his family on a much needed and well deserved R & R. In order to be relevant I am going to tweek my communication style. Why? I want to nudge these students that I hang out with toward receptive insight.

Have a great weekend! I'm on my way out of here. I smell a fresh pot of "Sebago Sunrise" brewing at Maine Bean.

Emerging Church in the Postmodern World

I read a great article about understanding this postmodern generation of ours. If we are to remain relevant and impact and influence the new culture we are facing, we must be able to communicate effectively. Before we communicate and are heard, we must listen and learn. I like one of the habits that Covey teaches in his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. It is "Seek First to Underestand,Then to be Understood." Click on this title, From Taking Hills to Hanging Out: Managing the NeXt Generation’s Need for Trust by John Burke to read the article. We must do everything possible to reach and keep this next generation. They are a tremendous resource with tremendous opportunity to make a difference in their world.

Traveling Light

Life is a journey. Knowing what to pack and how to pack can make the trip more enjoyable. Jesus provided his Disciples with some clear instructions regarding their journey in Matthew 10. His instruction was "Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff." What was the reason for this instruction? The answer is priority. The disciples were to put their faith in God to provide for their daily needs. Another reason is simplicity - keeping things simple. Life is complicated enough. Jesus wanted his disciples to be focused on what mattered the most. It was all about priorities. Thus Jesus' instructions to travel light. What are you carrying that is weighting you down in your spiritual journey? Why not try lightening the load, getting rid of the excess baggage, and being more trusting of God and less worried about life's cares? Our spiritual journey is all about priority.

Troubling Finding?

Barna Research has released their most significant findings of the past year. The following was selected as their number one finding:

"Only 15 percent of those who regularly attend a Christian church ranked their relationship with God as the top priority in their life. On average, pastors believe that 70 percent of the adults in their congregation consider their relationship with God to be their highest priority in life."

What does this mean? What does it say about our perspective from the pulpit? I wonder how A/G attendees among our churches would prioritize their relationship with God? Is your relationship with God your top priority? Jesus said, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:33-34 NIV) I would say that Jesus gives us a pretty good idea about what should be our top priority in life. Set our relationship with God first and everything else will fall into place.

Reconizing Authority

In Matthew 9:1-8, I again noticed the word "authority" being used twice. This time Jesus is confronted with a paralytic that friends had brought to him for healing. These friends had faith. But in the crowd were some who were whispering and accusing Jesus of blasheming. To quiet this group, Jesus question them asking, What is easier forgiving sins or making a cripple walk? Jesus then said, so that you may "know that the Son of Man hs authority to forgive sins . . ." There's that word "authority." An individual only has authority if he has been authorized. Jesus was authorized by God. He then healed the paralytic. "When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men." There is that word again, "authority." The crowd recognized who had authorized Jesus - God! But they did not acknowledge Jesus to be the Son of God. Thy recognized him as a man - look at the phrase "authority to men." There was much for the people to still learn about Jesus. But one thing we can learn from Jesus is that whatever we do or say, it should bring attention to God and not to ourselves.

Authority and Faith

There is a correlation between authority and faith.

Matt 8:5-13 NIV
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Jesus not only had authority to heal. He too was under the authority of God the Father. Power, authority, and control are misunderstood and often abused by many today. But as we submit our lives to God, we learn , understand, and use the authority, He has granted to us, appropriately.

Teaching With Authority

I read these words this morning: "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." (Matt 7:28-29 NIV) The phrase, "he taught as one who had authority" perked my interest this morning. There is a lot of information being generated and dispensed in this age. We are living in an information age that makes me feel like I am on overload at times. Thanks to technology all kinds of info is available to me. But what good is knowledge without authority to proclaim or share it? What really carries weight is when the dispenser of information shares it with knowledge and conviction.

I like the words of Matthew 7:28-29 from The Message. "When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying — quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard." Jesus had just got down teaching on a hill side to a crowd of people. Matthew, chapters five, six and seven are filled with practical advise. The listeners were aware that Jesus lived out his teachings. This gave him authority in the eyes of the listener. Would like someone to respect you and listen to you? Live out what your speak, teach, and preach.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Of course, my brothers, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. (Philippians 3:13 TEV)

I trust that you will do the same with me. Press forward. Learn from the past; don't let the past dictate your future. Give God your best efforts in life. He doesn't expect perfection. He expects faithfulness.