THE ESSENCE OF MINISTERIAL TRAINING AMONG GOSPEL MINISTERS

By

Agu Job Agu

A Research Paper Presented to Rev. K.I. Okereke M.A. Assemblies of God Divinity School of Nigeria In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements In Gen 412 Research Methodology

Assemblies of God Divinity School of Nigeria Old Umuahia, Abia State 15 February, 20011.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION_________________________________________________________1

1. WAIT ON THE LORD________________________________________________2

God Uses The Weak____________________________________________________2 The People God Chooses_______________________________________________3 Turn Weakness to Blessing____________________________________________3

2. OBEY GODS VOICE_________________________________________________5

The Message Not The Mortar__________________________________________6

PATENTLY ENDURE_________________________________________________7
Who Test And Tries Us_________________________________________________7 Why Does God Test And Try Us?_______________________________________8 Maintain A Right Attitude______________________________________________9

CONCLUSION__________________________________________________________11 BIBLIOGRAPHY________________________________________________________12

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION
The term training according to dictionary of psychology by Dr. Ramaligam is the systematic action designed to establish habits, abilities and skills.1 The adage if you are not informed you will be deformed is what the writer saw among some gospel minister. That lack of training destroyed many gospel ministers and the church of Christ. These ministers the bible said they profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him being abominable and disobedient and unto every work reprobate (Titus 1:16). The Bible said For of this sort are they which creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins led away with divers lusts (IITim. 3:6) KJV. The scripture also said My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, I will also reject thee that thou shall be no priest to me seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children Hosea 4:6 (KJV). The author having seen the above danger came up with this article to prevent gospel ministers who starts this race from becoming a casualty of their own conquest. In this paper you will discover how the author have carefully outline, the proper training of the gospel ministers to be skillful in handing the word of God, with Biblical doctrine as their base. As a result they will not lead any soul astray.

P. Ramaligam, Dictionary of Psychology. (New Delhi: Academic India Publishers (2006)), 278.

1. WAIT ON THE LORD Those who are called to be gospel minister but they fear their inadequacies which will keep them from being successful or those who believe they are too weak or lack what it takes to be a good gospel minister. Those who have already been thrust into a position of gospel ministry but they are facing frustration or even failure. They should take heart and rejoice for God has good news for them. Rex Jackson, remarks the more training a teacher has the better position he is able to get.2 God Uses The Weak Prophet Isaiah said He giveth power to the faint and those that have no might He increaseth strength (Isaiah 40:29) KJV. When God calls a person to become a minister, He doesnt choose him on the basis of how clever, talented or educated he may be. In fact these are things God may have to modify (or sometime destroy before He can use anyone. Rex Jackson postulates The humble teacher realizes he is a servant of God called to serve and minister to his class, He work only for the glory of God and does not become annoyed when he is not given his own way.3

2 3

Rex Jackson, Sunday School in African (Aba: Assemblies of God Press, n.d); .42. Ibid, 39

The People God Chooses It is astonishing; the people God chooses to do particular jobs. Paul for example studied the scriptures under Gamaliel. Paul learn to memorize and quote (without error the first five books of the Old Testament, called the Pentateuch) Paul was a Jew of notable background and a great achiever. Stephen Eze remarks Anyone can steer the ship but it takes a leader to chart the course.4 Therefore the rapid resurgence of these leaders produce growth and harmony among the believers. From a human view point no one could have been more suited to the task of evangelizing Jews than Paul. God took him to the deserts of Arabia. He learns to proclaim the gospel not in plausible words of mens wisdom, but in demonstration of the Holy Spirit and of power.

Turn Weakness to Blessing He gives power to the faint and to those who have no mightthe increases strength (Isaiah 40:29) KJV. This is what the Apostle Paul is teaching believers through their weakness, faltering or failings God reveals His wisdom. Though their helplessness, God displays His power His strength is made perfect in their weakness. Paul learned his success as a minister of Christ only through laying down all that was gain to count it loss to gain Christ.
4 Stephen Eze, Church Administration (Enugu: Ephramites Printing and Publishing Nig. Ltd., 2010), 13.

According to Prince T. Aggo, Study more, you will discover more for yourself so as your knowledge increases so your power, blessing, etc. will increases also.5

5 Prince T. Aggo, Sound Biblical Course for Christian Maturity, (Port Harcourt: High Calling Outreach Publication, 2008), 24.

2.

OBEY GODS VOICE

According to Heitzig Skip, It isnt enough just to be Christian, if you arent an obedient one.6 Logos and Rhema Ralph Mahoney said, We must know the scriptures (logos) to judge whether the word (rhema) that comes to us is really from the Lord or some other spirit.7 It was said of the Bereans, These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word (rhema) with all readiness of mind and search the scriptures (logos) daily whether those things were so (Acts 17:11 KJV). Many gospel ministers know neither the scripture s nor Gods power such ministers make God throw up. If a ministers know both the scripture and Gods power it will cause his church to grow up. Relationship Not Formular Ministers need to realize that Gods life-giving word seldom comes in response to religious form and formular. Gladys Graham widow said The most important thing in a Christian life is to know the will of God ever since I was a little give I was interested in the things of God and apart from the Bible, it was stories of the missionaries that gave me vision to serve the Lord.8 It is not the form or formular, it is hearing Gods voice and taking obedient action in response to what God has said.
6 Heitzing Skip, How To Study The Bible And Enjoy It, (Albuquerque: Tynade House Published Inc., 2002), 30. 7 Ralph Mahoney, The shepherds staff, (Chennai: World Map Publisher, 2002), 28. 8 Vishal Mahagalwadi and others, Burnt Alive, (Mumbi: Gls Publishing, 2002), 19.

Jesus healed one blind man by mixing dust and spittle forming mud and applying it to the blind mens eyes. The man was sent to the pool of Siloam to wash the mud of his eyes and was healed (John. 9:6 KJV). If you mixed dust and spit and put it in blind mens eyes problem all you would get to it as He told Jesus than the blind would be healed. The Message Not The Mortar As the study of church history is it will be discovered that the more backslidden the church the more the leaders invested in massive structures which did little to help people or to spread the gospel. Writer John Stott puts it that Christians are sent into the word, like Jesus to serve. For this is the natural expression of our love for our neighbours, we love, we serve, we go and in this we have no ulterior motivelove has no need to justify itself in service whenever it sees need.9 Observing how the church operates one would be deft with the distant impression that Jesus last words were go into all the world and build cathedrals for every creatures. What Jesus said was this Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark. 16:15 KJV). God puts the priority on the message not on the mortar.

Vishal Mahagalwadi and others, Burnt Alive. (Mumbi: GLS Publishing 2002), 19.

PATENTLY ENDURE

John the Baptist said of Jesus He will baptize you in the Holy spirit and with fire and burn up the chaff (Luke. 3:16, 17 KJV). The baptism of fire surely implies troubles, hardship and test. To still be standing when everyone else has fallen down requires patients endurance. This is possibly, the single most important characteristic of a great leader. According to Robert Anthony you will learn and grow according to the nature and consequence of your action.10 Looking at the story of the Heroes of faith in Hebert chapter II you are struck by this fact. Those who received the highest commendation were those who used their faith to patently endure extreme hardship and deprivation. Others trusted God and were beaten to death, preferring to die rather than turn from God and be free-trusting that they would rise to a better life after wards. Some died by stoning and some by being sawed into two. Some were laughed at and their back cut open with whips and others were chained in dungeons. Who Test And Tries Us Who brings test and trials into the life of the Christian? Is it God or the devil?

10

Dan Leimann, The Achievers, (Illinois: Great Quotations Publishing, Co., 1999), 7.

It is popular thinking to blame the devil for any pan or suffering we experience as Christian. And sometimes the devil is involved in our test and trials. However, King David had a different view of the source of trials that comes to leaders in preparation for Gods services. The Lord testeth the righteous (Psalm. 11:5). Ministers learn an important lesson from jobs sufferings and tribulations. The Bible talks about the devil obtaining Gods permission to test job (Job chapter 1). But notice Job never blame the devil. He said The hand of God has touched me though he slay me, yet will I trust him Even though Job was being attacked by Satan he was dealing with his God not Satan in any of his trials and tribulations. Charles Swindoll remarks real integrity stays in place whether the test is adversity or prosperity.11 Why Does God Test And Try Us? Pressure produces enlargement thou hast enlarged me when I was under pressure (Psalm 4:1 RSV). This psalm was written by David after the greatest failure of his life, his murderous adulterous affair with Bethsheba (2 Samuel II RVS). Because of his sin the Lord sent serve Judgments on David. One of these was administered at the hand of his son Absalom, who usurped the throne and
11 Dan Leimann, The Achievers, (Illinois: Great Quotations Publishing, Co., 1999), 38.

drove David into exile. Having to flee for his life and suffer horrible indignities brought enlargement to David. Even though his problem were of his own making. God graciously used these judgment times to make David a better man for the tasks yet ahead. If anybody acknowledges his failures and repents (renounce his sins and turn from it) God graciously uses the chastisement and suffering which follows to make him a better leader. Ralph M. Riggs remarks God has certain qualities that sinners are conscious of His kindness, love and mercy, His justice and impartiality, His condescension and humility His holiness and virtue.12 Maintain A Right Attitude Maintaining a positive attitude in the midst of great suffering is the key to the triumphant Christian life. Apostle Paul said Now thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14 KJV). Your response to the circumstances that befall you will determine whether you be become bitter or better. God wants you to resize it is no longer you that lives but Christ liveth in you (Galatians 2:20 KJV). If you will maintain a Christ response to adversity and tell the Lord to have mercy, then you will receive special grace from the Lord which will take you through in triumph.

12

Ralph M. Riggs, Spirit Filled Pastors Guide, (Aba: Assemblies of God Press, n.d), 88.

W.W. Orr remarks Christ is the inevitable the indispensable, the perfectly unique person13 to turn away from him is to forsake life so do not allow yourselves to become discouraged under persecution rather you must press on its perfection.

13 1978).

W. W. Orr, A Laymans Guide to Understanding the Bible, (California Harvest House Publishers,

CONCLUSION
If God calls you as minister, Pastor Evangelist, Missionary or Deacon, please go to a recognize Bible college for the theological training. What is what doing is what doing well. To avert pitfalls and dangers from Mismanagement of the ministry. Therefore there is need for proper training. What one is taught affects his destiny and the destiny of his hearers. Apart from gaining sound knowledge and being skillful to handle the word of God. Lack of training will cause a gospel minister to err, preach heresy, build false doctrine and speak blasphemy. Think of the same this will bring to the church, the division, the confusion and destruction it will bring at last. In realizing the need for a proper training the author suggest that a gospel minister must undergo a proper training to know the principle guide lines and scripture lay down rules of the ministry. Training will make a minister to be humble, obedient and flexible to God. Training will make a ministry to know his fault and make necessary adjustment and also to be completely dependent on God. God ways are not common, ministers must know this, to enter his rest. Ministers should look unto successful men of God like Apostle Paul through he was a barristers yet for the sake of the gospel he want to Arabia. Moses is always in the presence of God to hear from Him. Jesus before handing over to His Disciples trained them for three (3) years. Proper training will help a gospel minister to preach sound doctrine, save his Soul and the souls of his listeners.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Adei, Georgina and Stephen Adei, Seven Keys to Abundant Living with No Regrets, Genera: Published by oasis International Ltd., 2001. Aggo, Prince T., Sound Biblical Course for Christian Maturity, Port Harcourt: High calling Outreach Publication, 2008. Eze, Stephen, Church Administration, Enugu: Ephramites Printing and Publishing Nig. Ltd., 2010. Jackson, Rex, Sunday School in Africa, Aba: Assemblies of God Press, n.d. Leimann, Dan, The Achievers, Illinois: Great Quotations Publishing Co., 1999. Managalwadi, vishal, Vijay Martins, M.B. Desai Babu K. Verghase Radha Samuel. Burnt Alive, Mumbi: GLS Publishing, 2002. Mahoney, Raph, The Shepherds Staff, Chennai: World Map Publishers, 2002. Orr, W.W., A Laymans Guide To Understanding the Bible, California: Harvest House Publishers, 1978. Ramaligam P., Dictionary of Psychology, New Delhi: Academic Indian Publishers, 2006. Riggs, Ralph M., Spirit filled Pastors Guide, Aba: Assemblies of God Press, n.d. Skip, Heitzing. How to Study the Bible and Enjoy it, Albuquerque: Tyndale House Publishers Inc., 2002.