JohnD Posted July 5, 2018 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 0 Topic Count: 905 Topics Per Day: 0.19 Content Count: 9,646 Content Per Day: 2.02 Reputation: 5,832 Days Won: 9 Joined: 04/07/2011 Status: Offline Share Posted July 5, 2018 It is inspiring and uplifting to hear the testimonies of some. It is also a fact that some seek to do more or other than what they are called. In my case, I endeavored to become a pastor at one point, a Bible apologist, countercult witness for Christ on and on. It took nearly 25 years for it to sink in that none of these were my calling from God they were my calling from me. I do not discourage those who answer the true call. But I dare say there are few who truly do . We are all called to be priests before God (Revelation 1:6, 5:10, 1 Peter 2:3-9) Serving in our individual capacities according to our spiritual gifts and vocations in life to aid in the general evangelism of the entire world in every new generation that grows. Some ARE called to be pastor / teachers, some apologists and countercult evangelists... some ARE called to knock on doors to share the Gospel (John 3:16-18, Ephesians 2:8-10, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) or to free believers from religious guilt (1 John 1:5 - 2:17). But the Church must get off of the traditions of man kick... which has become the very foundations of most Churches in the Church Organization (which is NOT the Church Organism as it claims). The true keys to the Kingdom are: 2 Peter 20-21, 1 John 4:1 (1 Thessalonians 5:21), Acts 17:11 (2 Timothy 3:16-17), Deuteronomy 29:29 / Proverbs 25:2 Law Deuteronomy 4:2 Prophets Revelation 22:18-19 Writings Proverbs 20:5-6 Human tradition* has permeated the Church Organization which nullifies the word of God (Mark 7:13). * The overall point Jesus made in Matthew 16:13-23 is that human tradition / reason is wrong and is ultimately from the devil. Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25 (AV) 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Ask any one of the pastors in place where they get their authority from... to a man or woman they will say this denomination or that board of man. While at the same time their calling they say is from God. Revelation 1:6 / 5:10 is the authority and calling of all believers to be priests of God (which has a much broader definition than just pastor / teachers) and does not require indoctrination into human traditions taught through long compromised seminaries. Of course they sound correct... but they contradict what other seminaries teach, don't they? Because they don't have the same Holy Spirit interpreted / Bible verified source. Check out the atheist / humanist inspired higher criticism of the Bible (for eye openers) or Deutero and Trito Isaiah doctrines taught in most seminaries (based solely on the premise scholars did not believe in supernaturalism that Isaiah could not name Darius hundreds of years before he was born so generations of schools of Isaiah must have penciled in his name into the Bible). Jesus changed the world by changing one heart / eternal destiny at a time. Do you want to change the world? Or just be an usher in the Plastic Jesus Country Club? It's your call... (versus God's call). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighbor Posted July 5, 2018 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 18 Topic Count: 953 Topics Per Day: 0.35 Content Count: 13,589 Content Per Day: 5.03 Reputation: 9,057 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/04/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/03/1885 Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) Hi, May God guide you and may you follow His guidance carefully. Amen Charles Spurgeon led a pastors college, he had much to advise regarding pastoring, some of which is addressed within the following book/link: https://document.desiringgod.org/charles-spurgeon-en.pdf?ts=1446646864 Excerpt from introduction: ..."Spurgeon preached over six hundred times before he turned twenty years old. His sermons sold about 20,000 copies a week and were translated into twenty languages. Today, his collected sermons sixty-three volumes, currently standing as the largest set of books by a single author in the history of Christianity."... Edited July 5, 2018 by Neighbor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTC Posted July 5, 2018 Group: Royal Member Followers: 18 Topic Count: 200 Topics Per Day: 0.05 Content Count: 2,795 Content Per Day: 0.65 Reputation: 1,502 Days Won: 1 Joined: 06/25/2012 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/26/1952 Share Posted July 5, 2018 On 6/29/2018 at 5:34 PM, MadHermit said: Usually good preachers are also good teachers. The more frequent problem is that good preachers, especially pastors of large churches, often lack the interest and sensitivity to be good pastoral counselors. So they delegate that to lay leaders or assistant pastors. But a newbie like you will have to start in a small church, where it is usually essential that you develop skills in both teaching and counseling as well. This fact highlights the importance of the right seminary or Bible school for you. You need a place with good courses on pastoral care and a good supervised field education program. If inimate connections with your flock's personal problems does not appeal to you, you probably lack a pastoral calling. A few minutes ago I couldn't get even 1 word to show up here. I'm glad that now it's working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighbor Posted July 5, 2018 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 18 Topic Count: 953 Topics Per Day: 0.35 Content Count: 13,589 Content Per Day: 5.03 Reputation: 9,057 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/04/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/03/1885 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Also 12 tips attributed to Charles Spurgeon on preaching https://pastors.com/12-preaching-tips-from-charles-spurgeon/ as reported by Brandon Hilgemann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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