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Facing Fear & Answering "the call" - 11/17/2008 1:51:07 PM
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evryknee
Posts: 295
Joined: 3/9/2008
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A little less than a year ago, I wrote a post regarding discerning "the call" as others have done as well. Since that time, and much prayer, I put a few fleeces out there for the Lord, begged His patience with me, and listened. Well, He answered and I was asked by my Pastor to consider being a candidate at our church for Associate Pastor (one of the fleeces). This is a church I have been with since the beginning and where I have been active in ministry.
I came to realize that the reason I have been fighting this issue of "the call" was because of my fear of rejection. Though I am far from where I need to be in people pleasing and being sure I please God more than man, I have grown much in this area and I am certain that this is where God is leading me (the pastorate).
After several interviews with the elders, they have decided to move forward and to present my name to the congregation for consideration. After the holidays, my wife and I will both be interviewed by the congregation and the following week, be voted on.
As a people pleaser, this is a very difficult pathway, but one I know that is right (if, for the very least, to combat the fear of man issue). I am struggling with fears of rejection by the congregation (which I expected), though I have no intention of following them as they are not from the Lord.
Anyway, if anyone has some encouraging words, cautionary words spoken in love, prayers, or comments, that would be appreciated. I am not looking for approval from my peers, here (I know this is the path I am to take), but for counsel in a multitude of counselors. Have you been through this (being raised up to pastor in your church)? Any advice? Thank you.
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RE: Facing Fear & Answering "the call" - 11/17/2008 2:43:05 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 5746
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: evryknee
After several interviews with the elders, they have decided to move forward and to present my name to the congregation for consideration. After the holidays, my wife and I will both be interviewed by the congregation and the following week, be voted on.
As a people pleaser, this is a very difficult pathway, but one I know that is right (if, for the very least, to combat the fear of man issue). I am struggling with fears of rejection by the congregation (which I expected), though I have no intention of following them as they are not from the Lord
I can promise you that fear is not from the Lord
(2Ti 1:7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
(2Ti 1:8) Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
As far as pleasing man; forget about it;
(1Th 4:1) Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
When you have an opportunity to speak before a potential congregation then do as Paul;
(1Co 2:1) And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
(1Co 2:2) For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
(1Co 2:3) And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
(1Co 2:4) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
(1Co 2:5) That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
And that is what you should do everytime you speak to the congregation.
To do otherwise is ministry suicide, rebellion to God, and you will become a man pleaser; then God will reject you.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Facing Fear & Answering "the call" - 11/20/2008 1:41:24 PM
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InHisService9901
Posts: 36
Joined: 11/15/2008
Status: offline
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Pastor RC gave u good sound counsel concerning your calling...
And all I would like to add is always always always be faithful to the Lord in what He tells u to do and say
OBEDIENCE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
We can begin at the Book of Genesis and go thru the Book of Revelation and see that OBEDIENCE BRINGS GOD'S BLESSINGS
DISOBEDIENCE BRINGS GOD'S JUDGMENT
And one story comes instantly to mind
King Saul
If you are faithful to obey the Lord He will be your constant guide, teacher and companion,no matter who comes against you..
I have also learned if we are faithful to take care of His Business He is more than faithful to take care of ours
He blesses the faithful
amen He does!
God bless you brother and have no fear, God is with you and for you.
and there is NONE GREATER
You have the COMMANDER AND CHIEF ON YOUR SIDE
FOLLOW HIM
And as for rejection , you can expect it..Was Christ rejected? Were the Disciples rejected? you best believe it.
Jesus said they hated me and they will hate u
Everyone will not love you brother, everyone will not appreciate your hard work or the message u preach..so expect that..
You are not working for these people , you are working for the Lord, seek to please Him and let the Lord take care of the people..
We must be willing to pay the price of obedience
willing
After the Lord gave me the call of Evangelism He told me that there would be people who would come against me
He told me there would be Preachers who would come against me
These truths are still happening...But thats alright..Im working for the Lord, employed by Him and not man..I desire to please Him and not man .Thats why u always see this scripture at the bottom of my post
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
and in His Service I will remain until He calls me out of this sin sick world
Its like the Prophet Isaiah said,I have set my face Like a flint(stone) that I will not be ashamed in that day
I dont want to be ashamed of how I lived for the Lord or how I have served Him as a preacher, but Im sure there are many things I will be ashamed of in that day because the way I see it, everyday I live and breathe I know I fail the Lord in someway..for sure for sure..
But that does not keep me from striving to do His will..
God bless you brother
Evang.dare
_____________________________
In Christ' Service
Evangelist Smith
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ
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RE: Facing Fear & Answering "the call" - 11/20/2008 5:29:49 PM
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jn1010lf
Posts: 349
Joined: 4/20/2005
Status: offline
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Hello evryknee
Well, let me ask you in an exploratory way. Look back on your history at your church. Can write down the names of people that have been influenced by the Lord through you? Have you seen the Lord use you in ways that some have been rescued from the jaws of sin? Have lives been enriched in the Lord in what the Lord has done through you?
Now, if the vote goes good, you can be grateful. If the vote goes the other way, that doens't mean that you are not for the ministry. It could mean that a door will open some place else.
It would be better if the vote were to be unanimous or by acclamation. That would be quite a relief. So, howevet it goes, keep in mind that the Lord is always with you. He will slam doors shut and open others in glorious ways.
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RE: Facing Fear & Answering "the call" - 11/25/2008 9:16:05 AM
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evryknee
Posts: 295
Joined: 3/9/2008
Status: offline
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Thank you for your encouraging words. I've found I have needed these reminders when facing the fears. It's right to expect rejection and its right to remind myself that I am working for the Lord - as stated above. So thank you again. Any others, I would appreciate. Blessings!
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RE: Facing Fear & Answering "the call" - 11/25/2008 3:10:41 PM
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revwren1
Posts: 1
Joined: 11/25/2008
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evryknee,
I have had several "callings' from the Lord. You have already received some excellent input and Scriptures from other brothers. My ministry callings began in 1980 with a call to preach, and eventually to be a senior pastor. In 1982 I was licensed to preach the Gospel. In 1985, I was called to my 1st senior pastorate, and ordained, nine months before graduating from seminary (GGBTS, Mill Valley, CA). After 5.5 years, I was called to move from CA to IN and I was a senior pastor to one congregation for over 7 yrs. I was then called to a senior pastorate for over 8 yrs.
After 21+ years as a senior pastor, God removed the mantle of my calling, as a senior pastor, and called me to start a 501(c)3/ non-profit ministry called "Reign Check Ministries, Inc." This is a three-fold ministry that includes preaching/teaching God's Word. I also do church health/growth/ministry consultations as well as leader and disciple training and development. A third phase of Reign Check Ministries is that of being a "Barnabas" to pastors and other church leaders. I encourage, mentor, coach, train and befriend them. This transition involved a $60K decrease in income during my first year ('06-'07). I have grown to love and appreciate this calling, in a new ministry direction. This is a God-thing because neither my last church nor I were looking to part company. However, God had called me to a new form/type/paradigm of ministry.
Thinking I had discovered my latest, and perhaps last, ministry venue, imagine my surprise when He added ANOTHER CALLING to my new one. I couldn't believe it. But I am now an active duty US Army NG Chaplain. After almost a year of training, I am on going to be on my way to OIF soon. I sure didn't expect my calling to include being a military chaplain in a war zone. In case you're wondering, I'm now 51 years old. (BTW, the Army chaplaincy needs chaplains. there is a real shortage).
This is an abbreviated testimony of my ministry calling history. I thought that it would be important to validate my credibility and experience with the topic of "calling".
In all of this calling history, there were some common factors, throughout:
(1) Every calling came as a surprise.
(2) God, beforehand, had personally revealed the calling to my wife of, now, over 29 years, at the same time that He was revealing it to me. She has always been used of God to validate my "callings". She has supported everyone of them from 1980 until now, NOV 2008.
(3) Obedience to each "call" has enhanced my marriage, my personal walk with the Lord, and it has expanded my ministry influence and territory.
(4) God has always opened/closed necessary doors to accomodate/facilitate my ministry callings. If He has called me to do it, He has always prepared me for it before bringing me to it.
(5) True ministry "callings", and obedience to follow them, always brings honor and glory to the Lord. It also, edifies His church, blesses people, and draws people to Him.
(6) God doesn't call people to be people-pleasers, only God-pleasers. It's His church, His people and His kingdom.
(7) God doesn't call people who just ask Him to bless what they are doing. He desires to call people who ask Him what He is blessing and seek to do those things.
evryknee, I am more that willing to talk off line with you about any of these things. I will also, send you more info regarding Reign Check Ministries and/or the Army chaplaincy.
Blessings,
revwren1
Galatians 2:20
<revwren@gmail.com>
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RE: Facing Fear & Answering "the call" - 11/25/2008 4:15:05 PM
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buckifn
Posts: 1860
Joined: 5/23/2006
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hi evry
I would just like to share with you from my own personal experiences 1 very big lesson I have learned...and that is fear (my fears) are almost ALWAYS connected with the focus on self. When I am truly focused on Jesus and trusting in the power of His Might I notice I do not struggle with fears.
The best advice I can give you is give yourself to prayer, seeking the Lord in every aspect of your life, and study the Word to show yourself approved.
When you seek the Lord with your whole heart you shall find Him. He truly is able to supply all your need.
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RE: Facing Fear & Answering "the call" - 12/1/2008 11:27:25 AM
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evryknee
Posts: 295
Joined: 3/9/2008
Status: offline
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Thank you Revwren & Buckifn, for taking time to reply.
My wife is all in and is in agreement with moving forward with this "call" to my church, so we both move forward in faith. We've both been interviewed and are being presented to the congregation for consideration this Sunday. I find myself fairly anxious and excited about the new opportunities to serve Him. My wife and I continue to be in prayer daily for this and for God to be glorified in the process.
Thank you Revwren for the invite to chat offline and for the info. on your ministries...I may take you up on that.
Re: quote:
I would just like to share with you from my own personal experiences 1 very big lesson I have learned...and that is fear (my fears) are almost ALWAYS connected with the focus on self. , Buckifn, How true that is.....
Appreciate your prayers and input everyone. I'll most likely be printing out all these responses as reminders of encouragement and steadfastness in the trying times.
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