Does The Church You Go To Train People For The Work Of Ministry?

[nikki1]

Ephesians4:11-15 mentions how God has a call on people's lives and wants people to mature in the Lord. God wants everyone to be used for His Kingdom and to impact the world. He doesn't want people to simply sit in the pews and go to bible studies, He wants all of His people to be warriors for His Kingdom against the powers of darkness.

The body of Christ can is effected positively when they are trained up for ministry. But when they are not trained up and not used for God's service, it destroys the church. many quit going, they feel as if they have no purpose. God demands that His church be effective not defective. Jesus said in Matthew28:19 to make disciples out of all nations. He didn't say to make converts, but disicples.

My last church was very active and involved in training the body in discipleship to win others to Christ, and that church grew in leaps and bounds. We would go out every week, to the highways and byways, just as Christ taught, bringing them into the Kingdom. I moved a few years ago, and I will say that I cannot find a church in my area that obeys the command of Christ, and I am very frustrated over this because I was very much involved in this ministry. A church is a dead church IMO without following through on the Great Commission commanded by Christ himself and this is IMO a big problem with most of the churches in America today. How is the church suppose to grow without his present day disciples, the body of Christ, being actively engaged in seeking the lost as Christ commanded? I don't see where Christ gave his disciples the option not to.

Blessings,

[Believer1997]

Dear one, I do not think one can be trained in "using spiritual gifts and operate in annointing"... Those are gifts - they cannot be cultivated, taught, or connived... If one is ready to dedicate their life to God and Love Him and further His Kingdom - chances are they have spiritual gifts. They still should receive education in theology and teaching and a better understanding of the Word. You've mentioned the coldness several times that you've experienced - are you a warm and welcoming person? Sometimes we reflect upon others in a negative way and we think it is them when it may be our own insecurities. Blessings!!

When it comes to the five fold ministry, you need to know what you are doing. People do need to be trained up for ministry. What do you think discipleship is???

True dear one, those who minister God's Word do need to know what they are doing. I know what discipleship is - as I'm sure you must... It is such a shame that there are so many Christians who can't seem to find a church or congregation with whom they can find fellowship and teaching of the Word that they feel is suitable and fills them. Sometimes, these dissatisfied Christians try to teach when they hold so much hostility and haughtiness - I think that can drive many away from the very message they attempt to deliver.

[nikki1]

Who taught Peter what to do?

Jesus taught him. What do you think Peter and the other disciples were doing in that 3 1/2 years? They were learning.

Exactly

Jesus also spent 40 days with his chosen disciples after His resurrection speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3

A pastor filled with the Holy Ghost, on fire for God, cannot help but have a discipleship ministry to win the lost for Christ.

Blessings,

[2Joyful]

Greetings,

I would say so, all our ministers must go through process that shows they are able to preform the duties that helps our ministry continue to move in case our pastors are away from the church. These people has been called by God, such as ministers or evangelist. As our pastors are called upon from time-time to do revivals and conferences, they step in and pro form the duties from leading church services to mid-week bible study. They are also capable of filling in at a guest church if for some reason our pastor can't attend. These believers that has been called is a blessing to our pastors as well as to the lay people.

[Guest LadyC]

In the house churches Paul described, everyone had a gift and everyone participated in the service. Nowadays the pastor is the big cheese and nobody else is really allowed to speak or participate.

Getting everyone to participate in larger churches doesn't seem feasible, but the attitude that says let the pastor do everything is a hindrance to the church. I agree that everyone should be mentored and taught in the ways of the ministry and certainly in spiritual things like faith, healing and prophesy.

The church isn't supposed to be a spectator sport.

i can't wait til you move to vegas kc. you're gonna experience church like you've never experienced it. our pastor may be the big cheese on sunday mornings, but he definitely encourages participation, and it's not unusual for someone to raise their hand and ask a question in the middle of the sermon!

and we're very big on ministry. you already know that part, so this is really more directed at jsca777. everyone is encouraged to jump into various ministries. it's amazing because we're such a tiny congregation (but growing!) and yet we have an enormous community outreach.

our food bank is so much more than a food bank. we not only provide people with some groceries, but we provide them with a hot meal (GOOD food, it's not even unusual to bbq steaks and sausage!), with prayer and fellowship, and there is even a worship team providing live entertainment while they eat and wait! we also set out donated clothes, books, and housewares on food bank days.

and of course we have other community outreach programs too that are more periodic... like the harvest fest that is open to the neighborhood, and holiday meals, summer picnics, and stuff like that. we're really big on prison ministries, and our angel tree at christmas time provides presents for children whose parent(s) is in jail. once the parent is out of jail, we own two transitional houses (halfway houses?)... one for men, one for women. and part of the requirements of living in our transitional housing is to attend church at least once per week.

there's also ways to serve within the church... every month there is a work day, where everyone is asked to come pitch in doing maintenance, cleaning, etc. and during the spring and summer, there are a few mountaintop work days, primarily for men, to go up to where we have our family camp in utah and do road repairs, general clean-up, cleaning up any damage from winter storms, chopping firewood for the bonfire, and stuff like that. and on top of that, every saturday morning, there is prayer... those who are interested are invited to come into the sanctuary, grab a stack of prayer requests, and spend a couple of hours silently praying over each one. there are usually several people there.

on sunday mornings, people are just chosen at random to be ushers or to carry the offering baskets, or to take the communion stuff from person to person.

most importantly though, every sunday after the worship part of the service, we spend about 20 minutes letting people voice their prayer requests or praise reports, and then we break up into small groups of 3 or 4 and pray for each other. the sermon comes after that. yes, we have a long church service.... 2 hours, in fact.

yep, i'd say my church definitely trains the people for ministry. even the kids get involved... and four times a year, the youth do the entire evening service... from worship to prayer to sermon. one of the older youth is selected to write the sermon and deliver it (after meeting with the pastor's approval).

[georgedrw81]

The churches aim is to have as many believers as possible.The pastor is the manager of the specific branch church.Most denominations have minimum specifications before one can be a pastor or semi-pastor. However with or without training it comes down to the individual pastor acceptance of God and Jesus and spreading of God's Word. The good news is that each one of us is a pastor in various degrees. Take this forum as an example on how we learn to be such pastors to the people around us.

Blessings

[canuckamuck]

Lady C I am blessed to hear about your church. It sounds very healthy and nonreligious. May God help more churches become living churches.

[Guest LadyC]

it is a blessing, i really love my church. still, there is plenty about it that would make some people here scream bloody murder LOL. for instance, our pastor does use the message translation frequently. probably because we're a recovery church, and the language is something that those coming off the streets can easily relate to. he doesn't use it exclusively, though, and will often highlight parts of the sermon with the NKJV or ASV as well, sometimes using multiple translations to get a point across. and, sometimes i don't think he preaches often enough against sexual sin. everyone knows where he stands on those issues, but not everyone grasps that they are sinning against God if they're shacking up.

[Guest HIS girl]

I haven't read any other replies but at my small Church, the emphasis is on our everyday contacts with folks as our "mission field"....

Every Sunday morning we "discuss" what we have experienced during the working week and how the Lord has worked through us or through others to us - our Preacher asks us - "Does anyone have anything to share about their mission field this past week - the good, the bad and the ugly?"

He also gets folks to give a "sermon" every few weeks as he said that as the Body, everyone gets fed from each other...even the preacher. (Our preacher feels that if he went away for the weekend, one of the Body should be able to feed the flock).

Some Christians may not like this idea but it has really gotten the Church involved not only with each other but "caring" for one another on a Spiritual level.

[KC02]

Sounds like they are doing all the right things, LadyC. I can't wait to visit, someday soon I hope.

i can't wait til you move to vegas kc. you're gonna experience church like you've never experienced it. our pastor may be the big cheese on sunday mornings, but he definitely encourages participation, and it's not unusual for someone to raise their hand and ask a question in the middle of the sermon!