Train Up Leaders for Ministry

The process of caring for those who have committed themselves
to full-time service.

Paul J. Bucknell

Train up! | Support God's Work | Leader's Responsibility
Confirmation of the Call | Training Process | General Plan | Specific Plan
Too Many People | Summary

Purchase e-Book (pdf, epub, mobi)

Purpose

Supporting God’s Work is part of a series on Train Up New Leaders for Ministry which challenges church leaders to take responsibility for a good portion of the training of those individuals that God calls into ministry in their church. This is part 2.

Supporting God’s Work

Those who go forward to dedicate their lives to full-time service are typically not ready to go.

They are usually extremely burdened with some work that God has put on their heart. There is a high probability that they feel they should be doing something about it right then, but more often than not, they will need further training before they can do what God wants.

God’s burden precedes the opportunity to serve so that they can give adequate shaping time to properly prepare themselves.

These individuals usually do not realize the importance of this training that must take place before they become effective workers. They usually follow the cues given to them by their pastors, the missionary committee, and others, but, admittedly, they know little about the process.

While at times, we find some of the most winsome brothers following the path into full-time ministry, this process is usually not so clear.

Sometimes God presents before us what seems like the most unlikely individuals talking about their burden to serve God. We appreciate their burden. At least they are willing. Many are not. Usually, however, we wonder how they could be effective.

I personally was one of these unlikely candidates when God called me–young, inexperienced, from a broken family, raised in a liberal church, no formal training, etc. Here I am, though, decades later.

Even though these individuals might seem unprepared for such great work, it does not mean that God has not called them or impressed upon them the great need of the harvest field to stir them up and steer them in that direction.

We should not simply dismiss anyone who claims God is working in his life. Instead, allow time and opportunity to test him. In the meantime, we should provide the training necessary for that person to serve the Lord in full faith. The training will be a good testing ground. This is our responsibility.

We do not want to be a stumbling block for that person. We are to use our position to help build discernment in them and help them to grow. When a leader takes a personal interest in an upcoming leader, that person is greatly strengthened and encouraged.

By supporting the people that God calls, we are supporting God’s work.

A Leader’s Project

• Write down the name of each person who recently dedicated themselves at the mission conference, and if possible, write down what God has called them to do.

• Pray for each one by name. You might pray for them weekly.

• That is a good start, but these people are the ones Satan also wants to discourage the most. Maybe we could put them on a special ‘hot’ prayer list and get others to pray for them at least several times a week.

Next => The Leader's Responsibility