Quote:
Originally Posted by OneAccord
1. You have to be called (CALLING). Having a desire, being asked, or just going isn't enough. You have to be called to the ministry. I think it was A.A. Allen who use to say, "Some are called, some are sent, and others just went." Pastor Johnny Cash (not THAT Johnny Cash, the other one) came to our church and preached, "So you think you are called to preach..." He did all he could do to discourage us. And he succeeded in discouraging some. He said, "Those who aren't discouraged, are called".
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I don't agree with this outlook, and I see it as a way to weed out people from the "top", if you will, of a hierarchial, professional-class of ministers in Christianity.
He who desires the office of a bishop or deacon desires a good thing, and we should encourage that. I can't think of a thing that should discourage anyone from the ministry, even the long list of character traits in
1 Timothy 3, 1 Peter 5 and
Titus 1 aren't meant to discourage, but towards an admonishing of these good traits.
We need as many men as possible to be ministers, whether they be elders, deacons, evangelists, apostles, ect... There are a ton of people lost, and there are a ton of assemblies that could use the blessing of a plurality of elders and deacons.
-Bro. Alex
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