Let me share with you a couple of thoughts that I believe will help you as a young (in length of time) minister:
1- Stay close to the spiritual authority in your life. We all need someone who is watching for our soul and is not afraid to talk “straight” to us.
2- Set up mentors in your life. Timothy had Paul. These are men who you can seek advice and direction of in spiritual matters.
3- Stay in the Word. If you feel you are called to preach, then preach the Word! I recently heard a man preach two sermons. Although he started with a scripture his message was not from the Word of God. He had something he wanted to say and tried to use the scripture to get across what he wanted to say. He should have said something to get across the scripture.... Stay in the Word!
4- Develop a relationship between you and God and always seek that first. You must first be a Christian, then a preacher, not the other way around.
5- Never put the ministry or the church before your family. It is always, God, family, Church/ministry.
6- Keep your spiritual man fed and grow. Read... listen to preaching/teaching... your ministry will never out grow you.
7- Remember, it is important that what you say sounds good, but if it doesn't minister then that is all it is, something that sounds good. Always ask God to help you minister to the needs of the people.
8. Always ask God to “manifest” (show) Himself during your message. He has exalted His Word above His name…ask Him to confirm His Word.
9. You will go through times of testing. Do not become angry or discouraged it is these times that will make you into the man of God that you need to be to carry out His work on earth. Be thankful He counts you worthy. The late Elder Clyde Haney once said, “Blessed is the man that can be disappointed and not become discouraged.”
10. Time spent in preparation is never wasted. Joseph was 15 years in preparing to lead Egypt through the famine. David was about 15 years preparing to be king of Israel. Elisha was 10 years preparing to be the prophet. Paul was about 10 years preparing to be the Apostle to the Gentiles. Be ready when God is ready, until then be preparing.
1 Peter 4:10-13, As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. KJV
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