17/01/2023
How people see and relate to you is their choice, how you respond to them is your choice too. If Christ is your focus, you will never be moved!
WISDOM FOR MINISTRY 18
SOME FEW ADVISES:
Colossians 4:17
And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”
2 Timothy 4:5
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
In my missionary journey, I have been privileged to meet both young and old ministers. Aside the great work some are doing. I can also see the many ministers that Satan has released into the world who have made ministry unattractive to the world. Their desperation, greediness, and quest for power, fame, and money have caused some true servants of God to question whether they are truly called. The mark of true service and reward has almost shifted to amassing material gains as the ultimate goal of ministry. Don't forget, God blesses His faithful servants and Satan does not give free launch!
..hope these few pieces of advises help you maintain your focus.
1. Don't accept the call of God in your life with a desperate desire for fame, you may be disappointed. Any true man of God with a name got it as he lifted the Lord Jesus Christ. When you preach the Gospel of the kingdom, you will not be left behind. Don't fall for unhealthy social media hypes. It has a stressful end. A fake lifestyle is too costly.
2. Don't do ministry with the sole aim of getting money. You may never have some. Such desperation leads to many temptations from which you may not recover.
3. Don't desire a celebrity status, you may be disappointed; ministry may bring you
shame, accusations, and rejection. Your attitude toward service is the platform for your achievements or failures.
4. Be careful about copying wrongly. Someone's style of ministry may be determined by the type of assignment he or she is given. Stay in your lane. It will save you from frustration.
God did not call you because you are perfect and skilled. He called you by His holy purpose.
5. Don't just believe anything or anyone you see on social media. Some are attention seekers. Others are pretenders and exaggerators. The good ones are focused on lifting Christ Jesus. Remain faithful in your given assignment and be at peace. Only God determines the end results that pleases Him.
6. Always have boundaries. Not everyone should be accepted in your priorities. Your ability to set boundaries will keep you from falling into the wrong hands.
7. Rely on God's grace. Regardless of how people treat you, don't change your good character. Never allow people's opinions about you to affect the way you go about your ministerial duties... Remember, God called you, not them !!!
8. When you serve under a ministry, remain focused. Along the line in service, you may have a strange and desperate feeling to be independent. Some people will push you with promises and sweet words. Your admiration for your pastor will be no more, only his mistakes and weaknesses will be in your mind and heart.
You may be tempted to accuse him and the ministry. The feeling of perfection will fill your heart as your pastor becomes vulnerable before you. Never fall for this temptation. It's seductive and will destroy you in the end. If you want to succeed as an assistant, learn how to communicate at good times and challenging times.
Ministry has seasons. You are called to assist, not frustrate.
9. All ministries are not the same in function, so avoid comparing your ministry with others. Every ministry has its own challenges due to its assignments. If you are afraid of challenges, then you might as well leave the ministry because they will surely come.
10. Kindly understand this mystery in the ministry; people often honor pastors they don't see or meet, as they devalue the great efforts of pastors who sacrifice day and night to serve the congregation. When a pastor is sweet, kind, and accessible, they don't appreciate him.
However, when the pastor is strict, unfriendly, and hard to access, they value his time, and presence and respond swiftly to his words. Most will prefer to serve such pastor's than their own. If you don't focus on Christ, you may become bitter, frustrated, and curse the members, etc.
Note: How people see and relate to you is their choice, how you respond to them is your choice too. If Christ is your focus, you will never be moved!
11. You have one life to live. One day you will give an account to God. Don't be deceived, that day will surely come. No one can escape !!!
12. Please FOCUS ON JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOR ...Don't be too desperate to impress men. Let God be your admiration.
He is coming soon, and his reward is with Him.
God bless your day!
Bishop Maxwell A. Hagan
Wisdom for Ministry 2019
Hagan Publications