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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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Depending upon the Holy Spirit for all you do?
Read through the following study by Tenchi for more on this topic
https://christianforums.net/threads/without-the-holy-spirit-we-can-do-nothing.109419/
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How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?
Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject
https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042
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Establishing a new church
- Thread starter Classik
- Start date
Well, without knowing all the nuts and bolts, I would say the first step is to consider what denomination the church would be aligned with as I am sure a church plant would be easier to get started than just to start a purely independent church. Considering you could get some financial assistance, and guidance on many levels from people within certain denominations who have experience in this area.
My question is whether God wants to establish that church.
Proverbs 18:16 states, "A man's gift maketh room for him." If God has sent someone to preach, He will establish the way, instruct, and provide everything. The problem many face is that they send themselves into battle expecting fruition of their effort, and there's the possibility God only gave them the gift of helps and they were to sweep the church instead of preach to it.
To me the greatest necessity is to have the truth. There is the story in 1 Samuel 18:29 of a messenger named Ahimaaz that ran fast, but did not know the message; "I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was." Another messenger Cushi on the other knew what the message was.
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Classik
Member
Very few people know what calling is all about. They don't care anymore since the church now serves as a business firm to them. Some ignorantly go into the pastorial thing. They don't do well. Can you change the leopard's spots??? Some are called to be helpers in the church not pastors, some are called to pastor under a particular church - unfortunately they want their own church and don't want to be under someone.
Majority want the mic and pulpit.
Jethro Bodine
Member
Or, perhaps, teach the church...maybe the single most neglected office in the church(?)
Classik
Member
Seems that's one of the qualities of a pastor...or his responisbility.
Amen, though the church consists of every believer in Christ regardless of their affiliation with denominations. Teaching need not be restricted to a certain assembly we attend, but we can have a ministry to everyone we come in contact with especially in example; they will know us by our fruits.
God has given each of us gifts to build and edify others, and I can truly say that until the opportunity is presented, I'm seldom aware of the gift the Lord will display through me at any given moment. Have you ever gone in your own strength to witness for instance and fell flat on your face as it were? What? Doesn't God want me to witness? Of course He does, but it is Him that works in us to will, and to do of His good pleasure. I personally believe we can get ahead of the Lord's leading as He prepares a certain one to be taught or witnessed to. E,g., have you ever tried to witness quoting a scripture such as John 3:16 you've repeated a thousand times, and suddenly forget it? Wait on the Lord huh? Just some thoughts I'm throwing out here.
Blessings in Christ Jesus.
Jethro Bodine
Member
Yes, you are right, but for some reason churches usually gravitate almost exclusively toward evangelism of the lost, not the education of the saved.
I'm of the persuasion that 'church' is for the gathering of believers, not unbelievers. If I'm not mistaken, 'church' literally means 'called out ones'. That doesn't mean 'church' can not have an evangelistic component (every meeting should end with an invitation to salvation). It means, to me, that the meeting together is for the saints and the building up of the body, evangelism being but one part of that goal, not the only goal and sole reason for existing.
I've seen congregations bristle with excitement and activity when teaching is the primary goal and cornerstone of the church. The Bible is a never-ending treasure of knowledge and insight. If you feed people with this treasure of knowledge they will come...both, believers, and unbelievers making inquires into the faith whom you can then lead to faith in Christ.
Anybody doing a pastor search should be looking for an anointed gift of teaching, not evangelism, IMO. And any pastor who wants to start a church ought to be thinking in the vein of teaching and education, and not so much evangelism.
Jethro Bodine
Member
A very wise, insightful woman told me years ago that the gifts work by faith. You usually don't know what the Lord has in mind until you stick your head out there, counting on the Lord to equip you according to your gift for any given circumstance.
As you learn your gift, and trust more and more in the faithfulness of the Lord to meet you, the bolder you get in pursuing your gift not really knowing ahead of time how it's all going to play out...if at all. Through experience you can learn to see where the Lord will meet you and where he will probably not meet you.
And who said the Christian life is boring?
Classik
Member
That soul struggling in sin;)
Blev
Member
The most important thing to determine is, did the Lord really call him to do this? If He did He will equip Him and provide for him in every way because he is stepping our in faith to walk in the calling God has created him for.. If it was just something he wanted to do, then sooner or later it will fail.
Psalm 127:1Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.
People who are called to start a church are probably already leading a Bible Study. They may be teaching or exhorting in the process. God is starting to equip them. But most pastors that I have known even then did not set out to be pastors. One intended to be an engineer, another planned on being a farmer, one had to turn down a full ride scholarship to Harvard. They all argued with God as to why they could not be pastors.
Their success depended on how much they had learned to lean upon the Lord to teach, lead or minister. The ones who depended on their own strength, learning, plans, love and talents ended up burning out. The ones who depended on God to give them the powers, abilities, wisdom and love have churches that keep on growing. It all kind of reminds me of Moses, He was called by God to deliver his people but started out by doing it in his own strength. He had to be humbled and learn to depend on God on the back side of the desert. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Their success depended on how much they had learned to lean upon the Lord to teach, lead or minister. The ones who depended on their own strength, learning, plans, love and talents ended up burning out. The ones who depended on God to give them the powers, abilities, wisdom and love have churches that keep on growing. It all kind of reminds me of Moses, He was called by God to deliver his people but started out by doing it in his own strength. He had to be humbled and learn to depend on God on the back side of the desert. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Classik
Member
Can a person however refuse being a pastor even when the calling is genuine?
Of course, that is part of free will.