Feeling Discouraged? Little or No Preaching Opportunities

That last post was a mess. i don't know what happened to it, but some how the formatting was disoriented. here's a re-post

 

By Roline Thomas
12/22/10

What God has for me it is for me? Let a good preacher tune up and whoop out that phrase. Watch what happens. Observe the people shouting, running, jumping, naming and claiming. In the moment, it sounds good and feels good. The listener receives and believes the declaration. Yet, FOR SOME who are not being used in ministry, who begin to wonder when will he or she have a chance to operate in the call, “what God has for me is for me” is not very comforting. Sometimes, the slogan has been far removed from their memory bank.

Ever had these thoughts:

When will I be licensed? When will I get an opportunity to preach? I feel an overwhelming sense of unfairness when others are used often, I am not given a chance. There are some in leadership who are holding me back from what God has called me to do because they don’t like me and/or show favoritism to others. 

If you ever had these thoughts what happens to “what God has for me it is for me?” Do you really believe because you don’t get opportunity that other people have hindered your call? Stop blaming others for your lack of progress. Talk to God. But beware, he’ll give you an answer, perhaps one that you weren’t expecting.

With God all things are possible. He is able to bring you to, get you through and finish whatever work be has begun in you. So why are you in this stagnant place? Why haven’t you been licensed? Why don’t you get opportunities to preach? I don’t know, but what I do advise is this “DON’T BE DISCOURAGED.” Why? Because all things are working for the good of those who 1) LOVE GOD and 2) are called according to HIS PURPOSE. Here are a few things to ponder:

1. Do I really live like I love God. Maybe, God can’t trust me with opportunity because I haven’t placed Him first. How’s my devotion to God?
2. Am I walking in His purpose? If God called you to preach he has an audience for you. Are you really called to preach? What makes you sure?
3. Am I ready? Preaching isn’t easy. Do you really think you can deliver a sound message in such a way that people will be transformed by the love of God. Maybe you are in a “gift development” season. Use this time to learn how to study and prepare.
4. Am I serving? Ministering is so much more than preaching. Many called preachers make the mistake of seeking opportunity to preach while missing opportunities to serve.

One final thought. My husband has often asked this question in minister’s training class. If you were driving in the wrong direction, how long would you continue before turning around. If you are going in the right direction, keep moving forward. But if you discover you were not called to preach, turn around before you hurt yourself or someone else.

 

After the licensing…..2 years later

Sub Title: Steps to Self-evaluation

By: Roline Thomas
November 13, 2010
In November 2008 and for the first time in the history of my church St. Mark BC, nine women preached during the Annual Associate Ministers Revival. All nine were licensed on the culminating night, November 12, 2008, as ministers of the Gospel. That faithful night, I identified the women as my “line sisters” and named the group “The St. Mark Nine”, which was inspired by Little Rock’s history making Little Rock Nine.

After receiving a “Happy Anniversary” email from one of my line sisters, I began to ponder my own call, reflecting on the past, present, and future.

Looking back over the past 2 years, I asked the question, “Have I lived up to the call?”

• Have I been devoted to God speaking to Him in prayer and allowing Him to speak to me through His Word?
• Did I do all God wanted me to do?
• Did I faithfully and consistently serve in the ministry of my local church body? What exactly have I done to help build God’s Kingdom?
• Did I serve in excellence by being prepared and dependable, showing up on time, not having a personal agenda, not seeking to be in the spot light but seeking to shine the spotlight on the Savior?
• Was I a minister of integrity by keeping my word and doing that which I said I would do?
• Was I a good minister to my husband and children?
• Did I keep priorities in order---God, Family, church, and then other stuff?
• Did I give unselfishly and sacrificially of my time, my talents and my treasures?

Reflecting on the present I asked myself, “Am I where God wants me to be?”

• Do I consistently spend time with God in prayer and in His Word?
• Based on my conduct today, would people be shocked if I were to tell them I was a minister?
• Has anything (people, places, organizations, or habits) interfered with the development and/or furtherance of my call?
• Am I wasting time and energy doing what God really doesn’t want me to do?
• Am I really called by God? Am I sure about it? Am I afraid to admit I possibly went in the wrong direction?
• Am I a blessing to anyone around me?
• Do people come to me for help (prayer, counsel, etc.)? Am I approachable?
• Are my gifts making room for me? Do I get opportunity to exercise my call? If God has called me to preach there should be someone for me to preach to.
• Am I prepared to minister at any given time?
• Can my family depend on me? Can my church depend on me? Can my job depend on me?
• Am I in the right church? Am I involved in the right ministries?

In regards to the future, I wondered, “What will I do to be a better steward of the call and a better servant of the Most High?”

• Have I set goals for my life and ministry?
• Where do I see God taking me?
• What areas of my life do I need to change?
• What should I do differently that I am doing now?

 Gleaning from what I preached on Wednesday night (11/10/10) --- If someone were to accuse me of being a "Minister of the Gospel" would there be any incriminating evidence? Hmmmmm……