Equipping vs. Serving: Are You Ready for Full-Time Ministry?
One of the key ministry values here at Harvest is recognizing the difference between equipping and serving. Serving is great, but serving is not the primary calling of a full-time pastor. The primary job of a pastor is not to do the work of the ministry, but to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). Check out the video below for more on this distinction.
James
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Categorized as: From James, Leadership, Ministry, Video
August 6th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Dear James:
You blessed, served and equipped us at Camp of The Woods this week. Thank you for teaching God’s Word with passion, urgency, humor and tenderness!
Jim & Sharon
August 6th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Very helpful. Thanks James. Could you direct me to some resources that might help me to better equip those around me to do the work of ministry?
Jeff
August 6th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Pastor James
What about a church where you preach and they are just happy to sit in their pew and not be moved at all. I am talking about a message that would stir up your heart to get out there and give your all to God. What if you are tring to “equip the saints” but they don’t want it–then what?
Love you and your ministry you are a blessing to this preacher–thank you so much
Tim
August 11th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
James,
Do you believe that the ability to involve others in ministry is a *gift*, or is it something that can be developed in the life of a minister?
I am a full-time minister. While I do involve others in ministry, I also see this as an area that needs more growth/maturity.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Jared
August 12th, 2009 at 10:18 am
This is a very timely word of biblical wisdom in my life, determining God’s “call” on my life. How has God made me? What passions do I have? Teaching is a service to the church, and those who teach will be watched (Heb 13:7) and judged (James 3) appropriately.
My thinking is not out of the ordinary: “what ministry will God have me in?” But most importantly, God is not going to just project me into some spontaneous ministry. There’s no way I’m going to be a missionary to an unreached people if I’m not willing to share the only good news with my neighbors! The same is true for teachers. I have to ask myself the better question: “Where have I been faithful to the opportunities provided by God?”
As of this Friday, my wife and I are packing up for seminary, and up until the past six months, I have seen us serving the local church as well-equipped lay people, leaving no excuses for the common, “unpaid” laymen out there. But God has placed a burning desire in my heart for teaching others to dig deeply into His Word (James 1:22). This is being multiplied in the lives of those around me (as well as at my church).
Everyone needs to be employed in spiritual multiplication, not just pastors. I’m not God’s gift to the church but rather just another physical member, with Christ as the head. I’m convicted that I have spent much time planning a theoretical ministry while providing little service to my local church body, and mere talk has lead only to poverty (Prov 14:23).
Now locked in on the present, I pray that this message would be an encouragement for all people to pick up the plow and serve!
Thanks Mr. MacDonald for speaking the truth of the scriptures. And thanks to God for the grace to hear His Word preached and worked into the lives of His children.
Craig
August 17th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
You are the first Pastor I ever listened when I became a Christian 3.5 years ago. One of your former attendees moved back to Ft. Wayne and gave me some of your CD’s!
You were so awesome, spoke God’s Word boldly, you influenced my growth in Christ tremendously.
Thank you for being a soldier for Christ and influencing many thirsty Christians to grow in His Word! I serve in my local church in many ways helping to build strong Bible based Christians of all ages!
I remember clearly you discussing that time does not change a thing, only time spent in God’s Word can change lives!(paraphrased) Thank You!
Becky
August 24th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Very well spoken and true!