MINISTERS MATTER

MARK BATTERSON'S 'FINDING YOUR VOICE'

As I read Mark's blog today, ( Evotional.com ) I heard myself saying a resounding 'yes' to what he was writing. Maybe it is because I am older now and understand where he is coming from. Here is the blog in it's entirety. Enjoy!

Finding Your Voice

One dimension of the journey toward authentic leadership is finding your voice. In other words, finding your niche, your groove, your unique contribution to the kingdom. I think many of us start out parroting others. We sound like someone else. Over time, however, we find our preaching voice or writing voice.

As a person goes through puberty, the voice deepens as the voice box enlarges. I think leadership is like that. The longer you lead the deeper your voice gets. Think of it as gravitas.

One part of finding your voice is identifying your life themes. C.S. Lewis said, "Every life is comprised of a few themes." Over time you identify those unique God-given convictions that drive you. For example, there are ways of doing church that no one has thought of yet. That is one of my themes. A life theme isn't something you know. It's something you ooze out of your pores. It's not something you define. It's something that defines you. It's more than head-knowledge. It's a gut-conviction.

Another part of finding your voice is getting out of your comfort zone and getting into your confidence zone where you have the courage to say some things that you know might step on some toes. If you want to see people dance, you've got to shoot bullets at their feet every now and then! Finding your voice is having the courage to offend. It is saying some things that you know will cause people to say, "You didn't just say that." To which we respond, "Oh yes I did."

BEING CALLED IS LIFE-CHANGING

Anyone who serves in full-time ministry, depending on God for their salary and needs to be met, must have a firm conviction that Jesus called them.

Many today have the desire to serve but not the calling. They are the ones who end up frustrated and unfruitful with a negative attitude towards the ministry.

You don't approach ministry like you do a job you apply for. You do not choose to be in the ministry and others cannot push you into it. Ministry is an irrevocable personal call from God to your life that is eventually confirmed by your peers.

The call is life-changing. Nothing will be the same again! You can quit a job but you can't quit a calling and live a fulfilling life again - ever!

Being called is like being pregnant - you either are or you're not!

While it may seem strange at first, the evidence of your calling starts to be seen by you and others. During this season, God will direct your steps towards personal health so you can be a healthy minister with a healthy ministry. Remember, ministry is simply an overflow of your inner life in God.

This is now the time to seek out a mentor. To enjoy walking with someone who has real ministry experience and can give you hands-on-training. This is the Jesus model of discipleship. Making disciples who can make disciples!

With the call comes the peace of God for your obedience and the planting of vision deep within your spirit. Your task now is to seek out the steps needed to fulfill His will for your life and ministry. This part always comes in bits and pieces.

He will grace you with what you need to accomplish His call. Rest in this reality. The right personality, natural and spiritual gifts, even special people who will come in and out of your life for certain seasons.

A word of caution here - God calls, people don't. There will always be those who love you and those who hate you and those who are just indifferent to you. Get over it early.

The call will establish and root you in God's plan for your life no matter what you have to face this side of heaven.

Your calling expects that you will become a life-long learner. A person of prayer. A student of God's Word. Willing to exercise your gifts. Growing relationally. Thinking bigger than you are. Fasting regularly and living life as a worshipper who enjoys God's Presence in all you do.

Ministry is equipping others by serving them in the way mothers serve their families - creatively and consistently with love as the motivator!

At Mission O, Ministers Matter!

Mission O is a monthly gathering of ministry leaders from the National Capital Region. We build friendships over breakfast and share our spiritual life together. Our meetings conclude with personal prayer and ministry to each other. barry@missiono.ca

11. A SURE CALLING

In the book, '15 Characteristics of Effective Pastors' Kevin Mannoia and Larry Walkemeyer make a strong argument that pastors are not only called but there are principles that will make them more effective.

I would like to highlight those 15 characteristics over the next series of blogs and ask us, as pastors, to review our own effectiveness, or as Jesus would describe it as our fruitfulness in ministry.

Effective pastors have a deep conviction that their work is an obedient response to God's divine purpose for their lives.

They pursue ministry with confidence, quality and a tenacity that portrays God's grip on their souls. They are held in the lock of love.

Calling is a continuing and dynamic work of God, confirmed by the Church and renewed through the activities of ministry.

Do you have a sure calling as a minister? How has that helped you in ministry?

At Mission O, Ministers Matter!