Five Ways to Stay Ready for Ministry
Are you ever afraid you won’t be ready for ministry when an opportunity arises? We shouldn’t be in fear. Instead, let’s see if we can learn from some men trained in ministry. As I read one of their accounts, I wondered if this was how the evening began…
The small group of friends stood at the edge of the expansive lake, surveying the sky’s influence on the waters. The tall one ran his fingers through his mop of hair. “What a day.”
His brother clapped him on the back. “Could you ever have imagined we’d be part of something like this?”
“Never.”
Another friend, one considered to be in the inner circle of three, stepped out into the water and shook the small boat. “We’d better be going.” He turned to gaze back over his three associates’ shoulders to the mountain beyond. “He’s likely spending time with His Father and would have wanted us to get ready for tomorrow. There is always much to do.”
The Rest of the Story
Jesus and His disciples had just fed a crowd of what could have been as many as fifteen to twenty thousand people. The disciples were likely exhausted. I’m sure the people pressed them throughout the day for teaching, healing, a word of encouragement, and yes, a meal. A meal that would feed the multitude with plenty left over. All from a young boy’s gift of five barley loaves and two fish.
The story continues as told in John 6:17-20 (NASB).
“and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But He said to them, ‘It is I, do not be afraid.’”
Do you ever feel like you are called to help, but you don’t know what to do? Have you had instances where you hear that still, small voice drawing you to make a call, send a note, or say a prayer? But you stop short because you’re afraid if you make contact, they’ll ask you to do something you’re not prepared to do?
I’d like to offer five disciplines to help us get ready for those ministry calls.
- Be constantly in prayer. Colossians 4:2 tells us to be devoted to prayer and to keep alert in it. We are to listen as we pray for God’s influence in our lives.
- Spend time in God’s Word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that the Bible is profitable in several ways so that we may be equipped for every good work.
- Be open to divine appointments. Acts 8 tells the story of God directing Philip to meet an Ethiopian at a certain place and time. He’ll direct us, too.
- Have a support system. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 gives us counsel to have someone close to lift us up when we fall. In ministry, this can be someone providing a skill or gift that we lack.
- Have a vessel at the ready. Ephesians 12:6 is a command. Since, not if, we are gifted, we should exercise them accordingly. Find your gift, practice it, and have it at the ready.
Let the Lord Lead Your Effort
Jesus’ disciples couldn’t have fed that crowd on their own. They relied on Jesus and each other to get His will done. They learned from Him and employed His teachings. At the end of that long day, they set off in their boat, ready to minster another day.
Are you ready for ministry? If so, let us know how you stay ready. If not, share your struggles.
Today’s feature photo comes from a “photo-a-day” challenge I pursued several years ago. The photo inspires the topic. For me, the posts challenge my creativity, writing discipline, and dependence on God for His message. My prayer is that you find hope in God’s Word, and that you’ll share your hope with others.
Thanks for sharing some great tips to ready ourselves for ministry Tim. Ensuring we’re prepared for our “divine appointments” allows God to use us in His timing, for His glory. Blessings to you!
Thank you so much Terri. You’re exactly right! His use–His timing! Blessings to you, too.
Tim – an excellent (and timely) post. As a trained Christian apologist I CONSTANTLY struggle with uncertainty that I am ready to answer questions I think I may not be ready for, questions challenging the Christian faith in general (e.g., “How can your Christian GOD be letting this corona virus wreck such worldwide havoc and destroy so many families?”), or the certitude of my faith in the resurrected Christ specifically (e.g., “Ha, science proves that dead people stay dead – all you have to do is look around at everyone dying from the corona virus to know that!”). For me this uncertainty persists despite years of academic training and mountains of books read so that I am “…always ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you…” (1Pt. 3:15). Every one of the five disciplines you have cited is concurrently essential. More than that, however, absent those disciplines it seems as though it is IMPOSSIBLE to “sanctify Christ as Lord” in our hearts – that essential part of the verse so many Christians leave out when quoting Peter. The Greek word translated here as “sanctify” (ἁγιάσατε) directly refers to the stamp of sacredness that is passed over from the holiness of GOD to whatever has any connection with GOD. Indeed, by undergoing death CHRIST consecrated Himself to GOD, in that way fulfilling GOD’s will – what an example for us to emulate. I LOVE the phrase, “Let the Lord Lead Your Effort” – inspiring!! Thank you, my Brother in Christ, for reminding me that I NEVER have to rely on my training alone to answer those tough questions. guy
Thank you Guy! You are a blessing and I am thankful there are people like you willing to study and submit to God’s calling to defend our faith. And, you do it in such a caring way. I appreciate your comment and pray others will see it and take it to heart.