This information is age appropriate and presented to those who think they are ready for leadership.
Some who think they are ready, are all over the internet and in cyberspace too. I will not focus on them right now, but if you feel you are God’s apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher or evangelist, please read this. It will save you heartache and years, if you will heed it now.
All gifts must be nurtured, surrendered and prepared by a willingness to surrender to the process of discipleship and service.
Once the foundation is laid in discipleship, the next step that comes is to prepare God’s people for works of service. For those with leadership callings, especially in the five fold ministry, you must be groomed by a mentor or coach, (Ephesians 4).
This takes time as you serve the LORD and learn by a coach or mentor. Whoever is placed over your life to train you, at times can feel uncomfortable. This is a must for upcoming leaders.
There are some who have had several mentors in their lives at pivotal times of preparation. This was added, due to the elevation the LORD is taking them in.
In frustration, you may feel like you are starting over! The reality is yes, you really you are!
However you are on a different level. Everything you have learned is part of your soul and will always be there. The Holy Spirit will pull on those reserves as necessary for it is part of your journey which benefits others.
You may be a pastor and God wants you to become a prophet. Yes, for some it is like starting over. However, according to the elevation God has in store for you, Jesus must prepare you through works of service. It’s a promotion beloved! Not a demotion!
We are first the sons of God and servants to the body of Christ. Christ came and served. He taught, healed, trained and positioned the disciples. He demonstrated with his life and death the true understanding of leadership. He knew he had to prepare them for what was coming.
We all are constantly pressing and changing according to the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus! God may take a full time minister and sit them down in another place to learn more. Yes there are times we need more perspective in the LORD and through our mentor or coach.
Everything you have learned is good, all the past experiences are great and they will be used later in ministry whether they are good or bad experiences, we all learn this way. We all must learn at the master’s feet.
You cannot expect to know things if you are not properly trained. Make a covenant with your mentor or coach to prepare you. If you cannot submit to God in this, you never will be able to properly reproduce the good you have in you.
Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as idolatry. Once you know you hear from God about a mentor or coach, plug in and don’t let go. Stay the course no matter how long.
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king,” 1 Samuel 15:23 KJV.
God is in charge with this, and it all depends on you. You can make it easier or harder on yourself. Personally I was mentored three years before I started a church. Before that, I was under two other ministries in preparation as lay minister.
All along the way, life teaches us and so does God. I tell you this because it is true in my life. I love my mentor and those who trained me and glad they corrected me. I learned so much by surrendering to God in this; saving many years of heartache and disappointment.
This is a very rewarding time as well as a tough time. It hurts so GOOD! Yes, God will use your mentor or coach to hone in your skills, gifting and application while using correction as needed.
“So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth; and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?” 1 Kings 19:19-20 KJV.
Did you know Elisha had a choice, he chose to be chosen. Elijah wanted him to be sure he knew what he was getting into.
Some of you cannot take correction from a Godly man or woman of God. If you say God is in your thoughts and words and you are ready for the ministry, please be informed that WE ALL must be accountable and responsible to our leadership; whether we are online ministry or on the streets, we NEVER outgrow our need for accountability. It last for life.
To be responsible, we all must be accountable to those we trust. Until we learn this, “our ministry” will be limited to the size of our experience in God.
YES, I have leaders to whom I am accountable. Being mentored by your leader is to prepare you for much more after discipleship. Before you can ever take the reins and lead God’s people, God will teach you how to follow first. We must learn lessons of humility, accountability and responsibility.
We ALL are part of the body of Christ, but we all need to remain open for correction and guidance through our leaders. Before you lead you must learn to follow. Discipleship is a necessary ingredient before we are ever ready for ministry.
Discipleship is only the beginning. Depending on the type of call to ministry will determine what type of preparation you will need. For some it has taken many years.
Do you feel called to the prophetic or apostolic office’s? Who are you accountable to? Who did you learn from? Some call it being coached, I call it mentored. Begin to ask people where they are submitted and who are they accountable to?
When will we surrender to His will?
Rebellion in not submitting to God’s will, will hinder your growth. You may see limited success at first but you will always end up at the same dry place around the mountain again. Let us start again and wait on the Lord. Pray for his counsel to help you find a mentor or coach. Know those who labor among us. Pray for God to send you a seasoned mentor or coach.
When will you surrender to His will?
This important and wise counsel should be heeded. Really listen and meditate before the LORD. This is what His Spirit is saying to the churches. Find your place and do not leave it until the LORD has released you. It is worth it and you will be elevated when God sees you’re ready!
In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey
New Beginning Christian Ministries International 