A previous post stated the first sign that you are called into the ministry is an “intense, all-absorbing desire for the work.” Yet, what kind of desire should be present and growing in us? Basil Manly, Jr. captures, not just the desire of the internal calling, but how that desire should increase over time: This [...]
Archive for April, 2010
What “kind of desire” should affirm my internal calling into gospel ministry?
Posted in Training for Ministry on April 29, 2010 | 5 Comments »
How do I shepherd a church member who doesn’t like me?
Posted in Discipleship on April 27, 2010 | 5 Comments »
If you have pastored any length of time, then you know there will always be church members who won’t think you are the “greatest pastor in the world.” I remember a discussion I had with another pastor who was speaking with great animosity about a church member. After his rant, I paused, and then asked, [...]
Why did I write this new book on the external call?
Posted in Training for Ministry on April 23, 2010 | 2 Comments »
I’m glad you asked. Well…maybe you didn’t ask, but several others have, including Joseph Gould, one of the writers for Standing on the Shoulders blog. Joseph posted a recent interview he did with me inquiring why I wrote Test, Train, Affirm and Send into Ministry: Recovering the local church’s responsibility to the external call. Here is [...]
How do I know if I am called into pastoral ministry?
Posted in Training for Ministry on April 22, 2010 | 9 Comments »
I met with a friend of mine this week who is trying to evaluate whether he is called into pastoral ministry. What I shared with him is what I would share with any brother seeking to evaluate this question. The first question he must answer is, “Do you have a strong desire for the work [...]
What do you do when you visit someone who is unavailable?
Posted in Hospital Visitation on April 19, 2010 | 2 Comments »
When I first started hospital visitations, I often found my efforts and time in vain. This was not because of a bad visit but because I would not get to see the sick. So I would leave and try to come back a few hours later but would miss them again. I found myself wasting [...]
How do I pray the gospel for those sick and dying?
Posted in Hospital Visitation on April 15, 2010 | 1 Comment »
On the previous post, I exhorted us to pray the gospel. As a result, there have been some requests on how I would approach doing that with those who are sick and dying. Thanks to those who inquired. Here is a suggestion for that context: Father in heaven, as we are reminded at this moment of the [...]
What can I pray when praying with the sick in the hospital?
Posted in Hospital Visitation on April 12, 2010 | 11 Comments »
When all else fails…pray the gospel. One morning, I was called by a nurse at a local hospital requesting my immediate presence. The non-Christian spouse of one of our members was moments away from dying. I had no idea what awaited me when I arrived. I walked into a room full of family with this [...]
How can I say thanks?
Posted in Uncategorized on April 10, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
I intend to stay faithful to the established format for this blog. I do desire, however, to take a moment to say thank you for the meaningful encouragement so many of you have extended to me since starting this blog a few weeks ago. I am still very new to blogging, but your response has been shocking, [...]
Who IS responsible to train and affirm those called into gospel ministry?
Posted in Training for Ministry on April 9, 2010 | 4 Comments »
Answer…the local church. It is the local church that God has appointed to be the agent to test, train, affirm, and send those called to be pastors and missionaries. Because of this truth, the local church must embrace this enormous responsibility. This call has been the responsibility of the church from the beginning, as we [...]
Who is NOT responsible to train and affirm those called into gospel ministry?
Posted in Training for Ministry on April 7, 2010 | 4 Comments »
For over a century, the predominant default answer to this question has been seminaries and Bible colleges. These organizations have been likely candidates because some of the most brilliant scholars in theology, church history, hermeneutics, and the original biblical languages can be found at many of the most well-known seminaries and Bible colleges in the [...]
