PASTORAL THEOLOGY Part Four. (THE MINISTER AND HIS PREPARATIONS).

in #partiko5 years ago (edited)


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THE MINISTER AND HIS PREPARATIONS.

INTO THE MINISTRY:

Having been aware of God’s calling on one’s life and the area He want you to work for him; the next thing that follows is your preparation for the ministry before you.

A. The first and foremost preparation is for you to be aware of your salvation.

Of course before one will have a genuine call to ministry from God he must have been born again and have the assurance without doubt of his own salvation.

B. Holy Ghost Baptism that produces power for the ministry. Acts 1:8.

B. Dedication and Consecration.

C. Spiritual apprenticeship – This is “on the job training under a close and careful supervision of a man more advanced in the ministry. A mentor.

  1. EDUCATION: (THEOLOGICAL TRAINING).


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There are two basic method of education:

Formal and Informal education.

I. Formal education is the systematic acquisition of knowledge through learning in a formal School setting

Informal education refers to the unsystematic unplanned and casual way of acquiring knowledge through learning by experience.

II. The Importance Of Preparation And Theological Training In The Life Of The Minister And His Ministry.

The importance of the minister’s preparation and training for the ministry cannot be overemphasized.

A lot of ministers and church workers do not see the need for training before carrying out the ministry they believed God has call them to fulfill. Such Christians believes that the anointing will teach them what to do.

For one to enter into the ministry without preparation and training is to build one’s spiritual life and ministry on top of the sand, according to Jesus when rain descend and flood come and wind blow and beat upon him and his ministry he will be forced to bow out.

Human mind is like a field, which cannot be productive without proper cultivation.

Training and development builds up the human person, rationally and morally, making him to develop the spirit of inquiring, broad mindedness and the clear vision needed to perform effectively in the ministry.

The pastor who is entering into the ministry should understand that people this days are better educated and more enlightened. Many church members are educated, some are Doctors,

Lawyers, Engineers etc, how can an untrained minister minister and keep such members in his church if he is not meeting both their spiritual and intellectual needs.

Therefore, it is important for the pastor to go for training to enable him fit in the environment he finds himself and also become relevant to the environment.

Ordinarily, every Christian need to be trained to enable him/her carry out not only church functions but also the great commission. If you read the book of Matthew chapter 28:18-20, you will discover that

Jesus wove training into the fabric of the great commission by sending forth his church to make disciples of all nations. A disciple means a learner as in the case of an apprentice or student.

By nature then Disciples of Christ are always learning. If the great commission should be viewed with seriousness, the question of the significance of training and development of church workers would be easily understood.

If all disciples are commanded to teach their converts to observe all these whatever Christ has commanded them; invariably, there is no how they will effectively do this enormous task without being taught by church leaders and workers who are trained ministers themselves.

The modern church should see the training and development of their ministers as a challenge facing them.

Which they must tackle without minding the cost. No amount of money spent on training church ministers can be seen as a waste, rather it is a yielding venture.

Jesus said “every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of God is like unto a man that is an house-holder which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old”. Matt. 13:52.

Training makes and mold a church worker and help him become useful and more competent in his work. Jesus spent time to train his disciples before sending them out to preach the gospel.

If you read most of the Christian literature you will discover that the writers were trained ministers.

III. Below are some of the advantages of getting trained before or while in the ministry:

a) A trained minister will have a poise in the society. He is relaxed in his job and ready for any eventuality.

He does not suffer from cultural shock. He is versatile, adaptable, sociable and easygoing.

b) He will enjoy the confidence of his congregation.

He wields tremendous power and influence over the people.

He can deal constructively and positively with the people’s problems.

c) He enjoy the respect of the entire society in which he operate.

d) He will have more confidence in himself and handles his job masterfully.

e) He will be equipped with necessary tools for apologetics {defending the gospel from outside attacks},able to defend the faith because he is familiar with the facts of Christianity. He can face the critics and Silence them.

f) He will have opportunity for a wider ministry as much as he is able to reach.

IV. AREAS OF EDUCATION:

The Bible is the minister’s number one textbook, he must spend time daily to study, red and mediate in it. Joshua 1:8

V. HOW TO IMPROVE IN YOUR EDUCATION.


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a. Have a desire for unlimited self improvement.

b. Develop the habit of study always

c. Mingle with those who are progressing in education
Utilize opportunity to travel.

  1. THE MINISTER AND HIS TIME:


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Mismanagement of the minister’s time will affect the whole structure of his work and reduce his effectiveness and productivity.

Therefore, this area requires planning and scheduling which should take the form of time table. It should include:

i. Devotion
ii. Study
iii. Visitation
iv. Meetings
v. Meals
vi. Time for his family
vii. Ministration
viii. Relaxation.

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We have all been called to work in His vineyard in different capacity, so we all need to prepare and equip ourselves for the work He has committed to us.
FF

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