Do you hafta go through the pastor?

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Rico

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...

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

You need some kind of fellowship of accountabilty, you need some Brothers who are also called to the work. There is no way around it.

I agree with E.B. here. Just from my own experience, those times in my life when I just "rolled the dice" so to speak- I always lost. Those times when I planned things and sought counsel and got support- well, I still lost sometimes, but those were also the only times that I really had success.

God made us to need each other. That was the whole point of bringing the animals through the garden. God Himself wasn't surprised at the outcome. But the whole thing serves as a lesson that no one man is truly qualifies to go at it alone. And I'm not just talking marriage (Adam and Eve) here. They had the responsibility also of creating the human race- something you need a marriage to do.

But we as individuals also need other people to support us. What E.B. has shared here is really good. Those men in prison are a hard lot to deal with. You probably already know this. In time you may find disciples and helpers from within the walls. But especially at the outset, you need good godly help and counsel.