I have a question I would like to throw out for discussion. Most of you know the conventional path to ministry is to let your pastor know you feel called, have him mentor you some, maybe have him set up some preaching gigs, etc. etc. It's good to have a mentor. I am not against taking this path into ministry in any way, shape, or form. However, I have recently begun to wonder if this established path into ministry is the only path. Take Paul's own words:
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately
I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then
after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
Gal 1:15-19 (KJV)
I haven't had the chance to study out the whole timeframe, but it is evident that Paul did not go talk with any of the apostles to get their approval of his ministry until well after he had been preaching.
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matt 3:1-2 (KJV)
Who mentored John the Baptist?
My question to all of you is this-Do you believe that there are people, who are called of God, that God qualifies as ministers of His Holy Word, apart from them taking the established path I spoke about in my first paragraph?
The reason I ask is because God is calling me back into prison ministry. The conventional side of me is saying it can't be God because I don't have a church home. I don't have a pastor to guide me in any ministerial effort I make. My mind is telling me there has to be some sort of mistake. But there is another side of me saying that I don't need man's approval to take the Word of God to the jails and prisons in this area. This other side is telling me that God has already called and qualified me for this ministry and that I need to obey Him.
I am in a quandry, gang. Everything I have ever been taught about ministry says you can't go out and preach without a church home, without a pastor backing you, without that recommendation. But I see in the Bible where others just obeyed God and went when He said to go. This is hard for me to reconcile. I need to hear some feedback. What do you think? Does God ever work outside the lines?
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