Banner of Truth 2007 -- Mini-Session

NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT IS IN GREAT NEED OF EDITING, BUT AT THE MOMENT I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO DO SO. I HOPE IT CAN GIVE SOME OF THE FLAVOR OF WHAT THE SESSION WAS LIKE, BUT IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT SEEMS WRONG IT IS PROBABLY BECAUSE OF MY TYPING ABILITY RATHER THAN THE SPEAKERS ORTHODOXY.

Starting last year the conference has included mini sessions of 15 minutes dealing with certain topics that are important for pastors and elders to consider. This is such a session.

Mark Johnson – Call To Ministry

The importance of appreciating the call to the ministry. Ministry is not merely a job, it is a calling. We need to be reminded of that. It is not something we choose ourselves, it is something that we are called to by God.

Today in evangelicalism the concept of calling is being challenged. These new views need to be challenged especially because of their effect on those in ministry.

Reason #1 -- Our understand of calling effects those who are entering ministry. Asking a candidate if they have been induced to enter the ministry by the Holy Spirit

This can be recognized first by a shared recognition of giftedness. This is not merely recognized individually, but also by the elders of the church.

Secondly, there must be a shared process of preparation. Seminaries are not pastor factories. Seminary educations only work if done in conjunction with the church.

Third, shared recognition only comes about when a particular man is called by a particular congregation.

B appreciating what calling means understanding what the ministry is.

First, the God who calls men is the God who equips men for ministry. That means the highest accountability is to God.

Second, we will appreciate for what we are responsible. This will change how we prioritize the things we do in ministry. Only when we appreciate the responsibility of our calling that we can see clearly. Above all there is preaching and pastoring of God' people

Third, we are to appreciate the provision for ministry that God gives. He is the one who provides what is needed. Who is sufficient for these things. God's grace is sufficient for all things.

C. Historic view of calling helps us as we sustain our ministries.

First, it helps in sustaining freshness in our ministry. The fact that we are called there by God means we will keep looking to God for fresheness both for the things we preach and our own freshness.

Second, it help in term of facing the difficulties of ministry. Ministry is filed with obstacles. Knowing calling helps us face these.

Third, it helps us complete our ministry. The only thing that will keep us at our post is the knowledge that God put us there in the first place. If God led us there he did so for a reason and purpose.

Humanly speaking the work of the ministry is an impossible task. But, the one who calls us into ministry is the one of who we can say I can do all thing through him who gives me strength.