08-23-15 The Unique Call to Serve

Scripture: Romans 10:13-17

POLL:  Did you ever consider a call to full time ministry?

Romans 1:16-17

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Romans 10:6-18

But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 "or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."   12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 

          16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"   17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Praise God for his holy word as found in Romans 1:16-17 and 10:6-18

Praise God for his holy word – his set apart word – his sacred word – the word above which there is no other – the bible – not our supreme authority for faith and daily living – our only written authority for daily living.

His word is holy – holy for he is holy – HYMN # 298 “Holy, Holy” a capella

PASTOR STATISTICS

After over 18 years of researching pastoral trends, we have found that pastors are in a dangerous occupation!  Perhaps the single most stressful and frustrating working profession, more than medical doctors, lawyers, politicians or cat groomers. We found that over 70% of pastors are so stressed out and burned out that they regularly consider leaving the ministry. 40% of pastors actually do leave the ministry, most after only five years.

Of the 1,050 pastors we surveyed, every one of them had a close associate or seminary buddy who had left the ministry because of burnout, conflict in their church, or from a moral failure.

90% of pastors stated they are frequently fatigued, and worn out on a weekly and even daily basis

89% considered leaving the ministry at one time. 57% said they would leave if they had a better place to go-including secular work.

77% felt they did not have a good marriage!

75% of the pastors we surveyed felt they were unqualified and/or poorly trained. This left them disheartened in their ability to pastor.

72% stated that they only studied the Bible when they were preparing for sermons or lessons. This left only 38% who read the Bible for devotions and personal study.

71% stated they were burned out, and they battle depression beyond fatigue on a weekly and even a daily basis.

30% said they had either been in an ongoing affair or a one-time sexual encounter with a parishioner.

26% of pastors said they regularly had personal devotions and felt they were adequately fed spirituality.

23% said they felt happy and content on a regular basis with who they are in Christ, in their church, and in their home!

Of the pastors surveyed, they stated that an average of only 25% of their church's membership attended a Bible Study or small group at least twice a month. This means 75% of the people who are at a "good" evangelical church do not go to a Bible Study or small group. 

Research from Barna, Focus on the Family, and Fuller Seminary, say:

1500 pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.

50% of pastors' marriages will end in divorce.

80% of pastors feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastor.

50% of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.

80% of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.

70% of pastors constantly fight depression.

Almost 40% polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.

70% said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.

Most statistics say that 60% to 80% of those who enter the ministry will not still be in it 10 years later, and only a fraction will stay in it as a lifetime career. Most pastors-I believe start off right with a true call and the enthusiasm and the endurance of faith to make it, but something happens to derail their train of passion and love for the call. 

ORDAINED FULL TIME MINISTRY

Even as God is holy so is the call to full time ministry – it is to set a person apart for the work of ministry and has a rich history.

          Exodus 29:29-33

Aaron's sacred garments will belong to his descendants so that they can be anointed and ordained in them. 30 The son who succeeds him as priest and comes to the Tent of Meeting to minister in the Holy Place is to wear them seven days. 31 Take the ram for the ordination and cook the meat in a sacred place. 32 At the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread that is in the basket. 33 They are to eat these offerings by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration.

          On August 25^th, 1985 I was ordained to the gospel ministry of Jesus Christ! 

Question: "What does the Bible say about ordination?"

It has two meanings – the ordination service of the church conferring authority upon the one called by God. And anyone that God sets in place as a ministerial appointment:
Acts 13 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia” (vv. 2-4). In this passage, we note some key facts: 1) It is God Himself who calls the men to the ministry and qualifies them with gifts (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11). 2) The members of the church recognize God’s clear leading and embrace it. 3) With prayer and fasting, the church lays hands on Paul and Barnabas to demonstrate their commissioning (cf. Acts 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:22). 4) God works through the church, as both the church and the Spirit “send” the missionaries.

Paul regularly ordained pastors for the churches he planted.

When God calls and qualifies a person for the ministry, it will be apparent both to that person and to the rest of the church. It is the duty and privilege of the church leaders, together with the congregation, to recognize and confirm that calling.

 

Conclude with an interview of Emily Vance who has responded to a call from God to serve in full-time vocational ministry.  Have prayer for Emily.