06-19-2007, 07:22 AM
Since I have been a minister, many of the frequently asked questions have been concerning the ministry itself.
Many people ask how one decides to become a minister or for explanations of the role of a minister.
There are at least 50 different places in the Bible to refer to in determining what a minister is, what a minister does, what a minister will do, what a minister shall do, or what a minister should do.
I have selected some of the verses which pertain to ministers to try to paint a word picture for you of what is expected from a minister and what is involved in being a minister.
Let us begin by stating that every minister is selected from among the people. He or she is a normal human being who is ordained in things pertaining to God. No person should take this honor unto himself or herself, but those that are called of God.
Ministers do God's pleasure -----
We are to become as a flaming fire (as a guiding spirit).
We are to be filled with the Spirit of Wisdom and the Holy Spirit.
We exercise judgment with the heart and do our best to live righteously because we represent the deity in manifestation. Each day we do the work which God sets before us and strive to make every day sacred unto God.
A minister is to be a teacher of righteousness and is to teach again the first principles of the oracles of God. We are to be a light, a way shower, and an example to others. We are to use the gifts of God, which we have received to the best of our ability. We are to nourish others with the words of faith. We are to nourish trust in the living God; in Love; in Spirit; and in Faith.
A minister is to be a lover of hospitality; a lover of good men and women; sober; just; holy; and temperate.
We are to speak evil of no man or woman; to not be fighters but to be gentle, showing kindness unto all people. We are to be ready to do every good work in the kindness and the love of God.
We are to avoid foolish questions, contentions, and strivings.
If we speak, let us speak as an oracle of God; if we minister, let us do it as of the ability which God has given us; that God may in all things be glorified.
A minister is a steward of the mysteries of God. As a steward -- the minister is to be faithful to those mysteries with which he or she has been instructed and entrusted.
We are to be a minister of the Spirit which gives life.
We are given the Spirit of Faith so that we may say: "As it is written I believe and therefore I have spoken." In doing this we must remember that the true scriptures are written within our hearts and we shall speak of that which is written in our heart.
We are to use great plainness of speech so that all may understand. Through this we have hope that the veils which separate man from God will be taken away.
God commanded that we let the light of wisdom shine to drive out the darkness of ignorance. We are to show off the light of knowledge of the glory of God, which is in our hearts.
The minister is to walk worthy of the vocation wherein he/she has been called. We are to walk with humbleness and gentleness; with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; always endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
A minister will love life and do good. We are to seek peace and pursue it. We are to sanctify the Lord God in our heart and always be ready to give an answer to every person that asks for a reason for the hope and love that is within us.
A minister will answer questions through love and respect for God, with a good conscience.
We will live according to God in spirit and above all things promote love amongst all people. We will promote hospitality, one to another, without grudging and we will promote stewardship of the manifold gifts of God.
We will teach that which is written in our hearts to be known and read of all men. These are the teachings written not with ink but by the Spirit of the Living God; not on tablets of stone, but in the fleshy tablets of the heart.
A minister will abide continually as a child of God.
Like Jesus, the true minister will preach the Gospel of the kingdom. Until all come in the unity of faith and knowledge of God, ministers shall speak the truth in Love.
A minister of God shall teach that: God made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of Heaven and Earth. He dwells not in temples made with hands; neither is He worshipped with mans hands, as though He needed anything; seeing that He gives to All -- Life and Breath and all things. He made of one blood all the nations which dwell upon the face of the earth. All humanity upon the earth is one family.
A minister should be vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, and patient with himself and all others.
A minister should not be a novice; not double-tongued, meaning that a minister should be experienced in living and should practice what he or she preaches.
We should hold the mystery of faith in a clear conscience without controversy or doubt as to our faith.
A minister should follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness (meekness), with a trust in the living God.
We should strive to be rich in good works, ready to distribute that which we have been given, and should always be willing to communicate the knowledge which we have and should always be willing to listen to the views of others.
A minister should hold fast to the faithful word that he/she has been taught; living soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.
We should strive to make all people see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things.
We should teach that there is one body and one spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
We should teach that each person should seek the Lord; so that they might feel his presence and find Him; so that they may know that He is not far from any one of us; for in Him we live, and move and have our being.
The minister should teach that we, all of humanity, are the offspring of God; that we should Love God and Love one another without dissimulation.
As Jesus taught, a minister should teach that the Kingdom of God is at hand. It is present now if we but wake up to it. It is not something to be sought a future state but something to be experienced as a present reality -- here -- now -- on this earth.
In all things a minister should strive to do that which is approved of by God.
As a minister of God, we should demonstrate patience, completeness, knowledge, long suffering, and kindness.
We should be guided by the Holy Spirit and by Love unfeigned, by the word of Truth, by righteousness, by honor and we should be of good report.
As you can see to be a minister for God is not a vocation that should be entered into lightly. It is not something that you should try to do because you have nothing better to do. If you think it is an easy profession and without stress -- read the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible. Although written in 977 BC, preachers or ministers still experience the same thoughts and frustrations.
But lets now go one step further in our discussion.
Not everyone involved in the ministry for God is a preacher in the pulpit each Sunday.
Every one of us is involved in a ministry .....We conduct our ministry through the jobs that we do, through the families which we have, through the way we lead our daily lives, and through the relationships that we have.
Every one of us is an example to others, a role model, and a way shower. Someone is learning from you by your actions which they observe. With or without your being aware of it, you are teaching others what you truly believe by the way you conduct your daily affairs.
A casual conversation, a smile, a frown of disapproval, all witness to your true beliefs, your faith, and your ministry.
Each and every one of us is a minister of our thoughts, beliefs, and our faith, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Your life is your ministry.
Do you teach love, gentleness, patience, harmony, peace, long suffering, honesty, and righteousness or right living?
Do you make a show on Sunday morning and then live a way contrary to what you say you believe --- I hope not -- but this is the way of many who attend churches, temples, or synagogues each week.
Strive to live what you say you believe because your actions speak louder than any word or speech that you make.
Everything I have said today applies to the preacher, the teacher, the house wife, the business person, employer or employee, the student, or the retired person. It applies to all of us.
Yes, some of us are called to be ministers in the pulpit but the majority of us are called to be ministers for God through other occupations. We have all been given different talents and callings. Each of us has a ministry that is unique to us as individuals. Each of us has an important role, an important task to perform in the ministry for God.
Are you doing your part? Are you doing your ministry in an appropriate way? Is your ministry, the way you live your life, demonstrating your belief in or service to God in the way it should? Is the way you live your life demonstrating your love of God to others? If not, maybe now is the time to rededicate yourself to God or to reevaluate your relationship with God.
Remember always that you are not alone. God is always with you and you are his minister in what you do on a daily basis.
May yours be a fruitful ministry which promotes good, love, peace and happiness.
With Love,
Rev Dorris
(This is a sermon I originally posted on Sunday April 27,2003.)
Many people ask how one decides to become a minister or for explanations of the role of a minister.
There are at least 50 different places in the Bible to refer to in determining what a minister is, what a minister does, what a minister will do, what a minister shall do, or what a minister should do.
I have selected some of the verses which pertain to ministers to try to paint a word picture for you of what is expected from a minister and what is involved in being a minister.
Let us begin by stating that every minister is selected from among the people. He or she is a normal human being who is ordained in things pertaining to God. No person should take this honor unto himself or herself, but those that are called of God.
Ministers do God's pleasure -----
We are to become as a flaming fire (as a guiding spirit).
We are to be filled with the Spirit of Wisdom and the Holy Spirit.
We exercise judgment with the heart and do our best to live righteously because we represent the deity in manifestation. Each day we do the work which God sets before us and strive to make every day sacred unto God.
A minister is to be a teacher of righteousness and is to teach again the first principles of the oracles of God. We are to be a light, a way shower, and an example to others. We are to use the gifts of God, which we have received to the best of our ability. We are to nourish others with the words of faith. We are to nourish trust in the living God; in Love; in Spirit; and in Faith.
A minister is to be a lover of hospitality; a lover of good men and women; sober; just; holy; and temperate.
We are to speak evil of no man or woman; to not be fighters but to be gentle, showing kindness unto all people. We are to be ready to do every good work in the kindness and the love of God.
We are to avoid foolish questions, contentions, and strivings.
If we speak, let us speak as an oracle of God; if we minister, let us do it as of the ability which God has given us; that God may in all things be glorified.
A minister is a steward of the mysteries of God. As a steward -- the minister is to be faithful to those mysteries with which he or she has been instructed and entrusted.
We are to be a minister of the Spirit which gives life.
We are given the Spirit of Faith so that we may say: "As it is written I believe and therefore I have spoken." In doing this we must remember that the true scriptures are written within our hearts and we shall speak of that which is written in our heart.
We are to use great plainness of speech so that all may understand. Through this we have hope that the veils which separate man from God will be taken away.
God commanded that we let the light of wisdom shine to drive out the darkness of ignorance. We are to show off the light of knowledge of the glory of God, which is in our hearts.
The minister is to walk worthy of the vocation wherein he/she has been called. We are to walk with humbleness and gentleness; with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; always endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
A minister will love life and do good. We are to seek peace and pursue it. We are to sanctify the Lord God in our heart and always be ready to give an answer to every person that asks for a reason for the hope and love that is within us.
A minister will answer questions through love and respect for God, with a good conscience.
We will live according to God in spirit and above all things promote love amongst all people. We will promote hospitality, one to another, without grudging and we will promote stewardship of the manifold gifts of God.
We will teach that which is written in our hearts to be known and read of all men. These are the teachings written not with ink but by the Spirit of the Living God; not on tablets of stone, but in the fleshy tablets of the heart.
A minister will abide continually as a child of God.
Like Jesus, the true minister will preach the Gospel of the kingdom. Until all come in the unity of faith and knowledge of God, ministers shall speak the truth in Love.
A minister of God shall teach that: God made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of Heaven and Earth. He dwells not in temples made with hands; neither is He worshipped with mans hands, as though He needed anything; seeing that He gives to All -- Life and Breath and all things. He made of one blood all the nations which dwell upon the face of the earth. All humanity upon the earth is one family.
A minister should be vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, and patient with himself and all others.
A minister should not be a novice; not double-tongued, meaning that a minister should be experienced in living and should practice what he or she preaches.
We should hold the mystery of faith in a clear conscience without controversy or doubt as to our faith.
A minister should follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness (meekness), with a trust in the living God.
We should strive to be rich in good works, ready to distribute that which we have been given, and should always be willing to communicate the knowledge which we have and should always be willing to listen to the views of others.
A minister should hold fast to the faithful word that he/she has been taught; living soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.
We should strive to make all people see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things.
We should teach that there is one body and one spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
We should teach that each person should seek the Lord; so that they might feel his presence and find Him; so that they may know that He is not far from any one of us; for in Him we live, and move and have our being.
The minister should teach that we, all of humanity, are the offspring of God; that we should Love God and Love one another without dissimulation.
As Jesus taught, a minister should teach that the Kingdom of God is at hand. It is present now if we but wake up to it. It is not something to be sought a future state but something to be experienced as a present reality -- here -- now -- on this earth.
In all things a minister should strive to do that which is approved of by God.
As a minister of God, we should demonstrate patience, completeness, knowledge, long suffering, and kindness.
We should be guided by the Holy Spirit and by Love unfeigned, by the word of Truth, by righteousness, by honor and we should be of good report.
As you can see to be a minister for God is not a vocation that should be entered into lightly. It is not something that you should try to do because you have nothing better to do. If you think it is an easy profession and without stress -- read the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible. Although written in 977 BC, preachers or ministers still experience the same thoughts and frustrations.
But lets now go one step further in our discussion.
Not everyone involved in the ministry for God is a preacher in the pulpit each Sunday.
Every one of us is involved in a ministry .....We conduct our ministry through the jobs that we do, through the families which we have, through the way we lead our daily lives, and through the relationships that we have.
Every one of us is an example to others, a role model, and a way shower. Someone is learning from you by your actions which they observe. With or without your being aware of it, you are teaching others what you truly believe by the way you conduct your daily affairs.
A casual conversation, a smile, a frown of disapproval, all witness to your true beliefs, your faith, and your ministry.
Each and every one of us is a minister of our thoughts, beliefs, and our faith, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Your life is your ministry.
Do you teach love, gentleness, patience, harmony, peace, long suffering, honesty, and righteousness or right living?
Do you make a show on Sunday morning and then live a way contrary to what you say you believe --- I hope not -- but this is the way of many who attend churches, temples, or synagogues each week.
Strive to live what you say you believe because your actions speak louder than any word or speech that you make.
Everything I have said today applies to the preacher, the teacher, the house wife, the business person, employer or employee, the student, or the retired person. It applies to all of us.
Yes, some of us are called to be ministers in the pulpit but the majority of us are called to be ministers for God through other occupations. We have all been given different talents and callings. Each of us has a ministry that is unique to us as individuals. Each of us has an important role, an important task to perform in the ministry for God.
Are you doing your part? Are you doing your ministry in an appropriate way? Is your ministry, the way you live your life, demonstrating your belief in or service to God in the way it should? Is the way you live your life demonstrating your love of God to others? If not, maybe now is the time to rededicate yourself to God or to reevaluate your relationship with God.
Remember always that you are not alone. God is always with you and you are his minister in what you do on a daily basis.
May yours be a fruitful ministry which promotes good, love, peace and happiness.
With Love,
Rev Dorris
(This is a sermon I originally posted on Sunday April 27,2003.)