Has God called you to a mystery?

[Hammster]

Such as the responsability to unify peaceably with all truly faithful under God and to not be divisive?

Faith in selfless Unity through Good

Their responsibility is to be undershepherds to the local congregations.

 

[popsthebuilder]

Their responsibility is to be undershepherds to the local congregations.

And what of the ones who are to precide over the " undersheperds"

Faith in selfless Unity through Good

 

[Hammster]

And what of the ones who are to precide over the " undersheperds"

Faith in selfless Unity through Good

You mean Jesus?

 

[popsthebuilder]

You mean Jesus?

Not specifically, no. Prophets, messengers, and the second coming of the Crist or those wholly under God.

Faith in selfless Unity through Good

 

[Hammster]

Not specifically, no. Prophets, messengers, and the second coming of the Crist or those wholly under God.

Faith in selfless Unity through Good

Jesus is the Shepherd. Pastors are undershepherds. It's not complicated.

 

[popsthebuilder]

Jesus is the Shepherd. Pastors are undershepherds. It's not complicated.

So you attest that there is Jesus, and then pastors, and then sheep. With no men more rightly guided than pastors which are in many cases with sin?

Faith in selfless Unity through Good

 

[Hammster]

So you attest that there is Jesus, and then pastors, and then sheep. With no men more rightly guided than pastors which are in many cases with sin?

Faith in selfless Unity through Good

Everyone is in sin. But there are sins that disqualify a man from being a pastor.

 

[NewCreation435]

So then in what way is that a ministry of your church?

Sounds like either we are not using the same definitions of ministry or church. When I first felt called into the ministry I assumed it was in the church. Since I don't have musical skills and I like to teach I thought God was calling me to pastor a church or teach. Since then I discovered that God can use me more successfully in other settings besides in a church building. Also, there are more opportunities to minister to people who are not christians or church attenders. Hope that clears up things.

 

[Hammster]

Sounds like either we are not using the same definitions of ministry or church. When I first felt called into the ministry I assumed it was in the church. Since I don't have musical skills and I like to teach I thought God was calling me to pastor a church or teach. Since then I discovered that God can use me more successfully in other settings besides in a church building. Also, there are more opportunities to minister to people who are not christians or church attenders. Hope that clears up things.

So basically you just have a job where you help people. That's cool.

 

[Tigger]

So basically you just have a job where you help people. That's cool.

In Lutheranism our God given vocations or callings encompass the secular aspects of our lives particularly that of our work environments.

 

[Hammster]

In Lutheranism our God given vocations or callings encompass the secular aspects of our lives particularly that of our work environments.

I've no problem with that. But we do have an accepted idea of what is called ministry in the West. It's generally associated with a church, or a group of like-minded churches.

 

[Tigger]

I've no problem with that. But we do have an accepted idea of what is called ministry in the West. It's generally associated with a church, or a group of like-minded churches.

Yeah I figured you wouldn't have a problem with that. Just adding to the conversation.

I do like how that concept makes our walk with the Lord very practical and tangible. It helps me at least stay in focus in what is important in this world and how I can contribute in a way that is Glorifying to the Lord in my every day life.

 

[psalms 91]

While ministry in church is great we are seeing more and more churchs dying because of the wall us in mindset, the church is not a cruise ship but a lifeboat that everyone in their own way is called to minister. If the churchs dont move out of their ivory towers and meet people where they are and show them Jesus in a tangible way then the future of the church is grim indeed

 

[Hammster]

While ministry in church is great we are seeing more and more churchs dying because of the wall us in mindset, the church is not a cruise ship but a lifeboat that everyone in their own way is called to minister. If the churchs dont move out of their ivory towers and meet people where they are and show them Jesus in a tangible way then the future of the church is grim indeed

The problem is that churches stopped preaching the gospel and started tickling itchy ears. Too many think preaching the gospel is adding an altar call to the end of telling 5 ways to raise better kids. Where the gospel is preached, churches grow and thrive. So the church is fine. But we have too many Sunday Social Meetings.

 

[Krissy Cakes]

My point is that this may be your calling.

Is that your wife's calling?

 

[Hammster]

Is that your wife's calling?

To be my helpmate? Yes.

 

[king of the unknown]

I have to say that I don't believe we are called to just one thing, often every piece of our life is apart of our calling.

Also many of us have been given a word from the Lord about something we are to do or be apart of.

 

[tango]

While ministry in church is great we are seeing more and more churchs dying because of the wall us in mindset, the church is not a cruise ship but a lifeboat that everyone in their own way is called to minister. If the churchs dont move out of their ivory towers and meet people where they are and show them Jesus in a tangible way then the future of the church is grim indeed

There does seem to be a tendency to think a few things that are all wrong. People think church is for an hour or two on a Sunday and the other 166-167 hours of the week are theirs, and then wonder why the world isn't interested in their message. Then people think that the minister is the one who has to lead everything and their job is to show up and do what the minister says, and then wonder why the minister gets burned out. People think that church refers to a building with seats in it rather than the body of Christ, and end up thinking that the God who is mighty to save inside their four walls somehow becomes impotent the minute someone steps over the threshold and leaves (I'm often staggered at the way people talk of "getting people into church" as if their physical presence in an old building was of absolute importance, and as if the shameless bait-and-switch tactic was likely to do anything other than backfire).

There also seem to be at least some churches out there where people seem to be endlessly in a "needy" state. It's good when a church can bear the burdens of its weaker members and where those going through tough times can lean for support on those who are stronger. But the idea of that has to be that sooner or later those who need support come through their trouble and are then the strong one for someone else who is in need. When people describe an entire church as "needy" it does make me wonder what they are missing.

 

[Hammster]

I have to say that I don't believe we are called to just one thing, often every piece of our life is apart of our calling.

Also many of us have been given a word from the Lord about something we are to do or be apart of.

If you've been given a word, then it will be easy to be confirmed by those over you.

 

[Lamb]

I have to say that I don't believe we are called to just one thing, often every piece of our life is apart of our calling.

Also many of us have been given a word from the Lord about something we are to do or be apart of.

You are right!

We are called to many vocations throughout our lifetime! Sometimes we aren't even aware of our vocation until God thrusts us into it!