ByIf you have been through ministerial training before, I suppose you are familiar with Mark 3:14 (NKJV). In that verse, the Bible says,
[14] “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,”
So, from this, Jesus’ model for handling ministerial work was to appoint and train people before sending them out. That’s what I call – gather to scatter. Today, I’m glad to write about this topic.
Jesus chooses
Many people loved God when Jesus came to the Earth. He could have chosen anybody at all to become a part of Jesus’ elite twelve disciples. But not everyone had the chance. In fact, there were instances when people came to Jesus to follow Him, but He gave them surprising answers to their pleas, which left me thinking anytime I read those scriptures. One of them was the Pharisee, who expressed his interest in following Jesus (see Luke 9:57). Jesus replied, saying,
… “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” – Luke 9:58 (NKJV)
Was that a reply to turn down the man’s interest? Of course not! Jesus wanted him to count the cost of following Him and not jump into decisions just like that. Today, I can tell you that many ministers, even age-old ones who have served in the church for a long time, would have never chosen to be in ministry because they couldn’t imagine how costly it would be to serve God. However, it is worth it.
Jesus always does heart checks before He chooses people. He knew the hearts of each of His disciples and even spent about twelve hours praying for each of them before choosing them (see Luke 6:12). So, today, if, among millions of Christians around the world, God has chosen you to serve in the ministry, it means you have passed a divine heart check. But that is not the end. There is more.
Today, if, among millions of Christians around the world, God has chosen you to serve in the ministry, it means you have passed a divine heart check.
Submit to Jesus’ training model
It is one thing for Jesus to choose you and another to remain submissive to Him. Some ministers have even completed Bible school and served under a senior pastor for a while, but rebelled on their faith journey. Jesus’ training model requires that you stay with Him. So when any preacher forsakes Him, that person is heading towards disaster. Hmm!
It is one thing for Jesus to choose you and another to remain submissive to Him.
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How Jesus trained His disciples has slightly changed in recent times. In those days, He was with them physically. Today, He has given gifts to men – some apostles, pastors, teachers, prophets, evangelists, says Ephesians 4:11. Because of the multiple usage of the word “some” in that verse, I believe Jesus gave other gifts to people that are not captured in these five-fold mentioned areas of ministry. And so because of that, you may realise that your mentor in Christ, or the man of God you are learning under in ministry, may have a different gift aside from these. If yes, don’t conclude that you are in the wrong place.
Usually, it is God who directs His servants to the right places to receive training. So now, even though Jesus uses men to do the training, the Holy Spirit is also with us individually, making it a double-folded, instruction-led life in Christ.
Be prepared to run errands for Jesus
You must be prepared to run errands for Jesus. See ministry as a privilege to run errands for Jesus, not for money, fame, or any other reason apart from that which serves the Master’s heart. Grace is available for you. Remain humble and do God’s work with gladness in your heart.
