Philosphy of ministry

I have decided to post what I believe to be a biblical example of minister's "call to duty" I hope this helps others as they discover/are discovery who God has called them to be, besides just speakign from the pulpit.

-Mike

Philosophy of Ministry
1 Tim 4:16
16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. NIV
Acts 6:4
4 give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." NIV


1. Pray(er) – , Matt 14:23; Luke 6:12; Acts 6:4; 1 Thess. 5:17; James 5:16

2. Ministry of the Word Acts 6:4,
a. Study – Proverbs 10:14, 15:14; Acts 6:4; 2 Tim 3:14, 4:2
b. Preach – 1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 4:2;
c. Teach – Titus 2:1-10, 15; 1 Tim 3:2; I Tim 4: 13;2 Tim 4:2,
d. Correct – 2 Tim 4:2
e. Rebuke – Titus 1:13, 2 Tim 4:2; Titus 2:25, 3:10
f. Encourage – 2 Tim 4:2; Titus 2:15; Eph 4:11

3. Guard personal Life –
· Obey God, Not man – Acts 5:29, Gal 1:10
· Keep Watch Over self - Acts 20: 28-31
· Watch yourself or you may be tempted -Gal 6: 1-5
· Test Everything, Hold onto Good, Avoid Evil - 1 Thes 5:22&22
· Don’t listens to myths, old wives tales, train self to be godly -I Tim 4: 6-8,
· Do not show favoritism, Do lay on hands quickly, Stay Pure - 1 Tim 5:21&22
· Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness- 1 Tim 6: 11&12
· Guard what is in my care, turn away from godless talk and opposing ideas
(that do not line up with the Bible) -1 Tim 6:20
· Guard the Gospel, with the help from the Holy Spirit -2 Tim 1:14-16
· Correctly handle the Word of God, avoid Godless Chatter – 2 Tim 2:15-16
· Flee desires of youth, avoid foolish arguments -2 Tim 2: 22-26
· Keep your wits, endure hardship, be available -2 Tim 4:5
· Fix Eyes on Jesus – Heb 12:2
· Try to live in peace with everyone, and be holy; Watch out for bitterness in self and others- Heb 12:14-15
· Do what the Word says – James 1:22
· Be Self–Controlled, and alert for the devil and his schemes -1 Peter 5:8

4. Guard the Flock
· Watch out for false prophets -Matthew 7:15
· “Brother who sins against you” Mathew 18: 15-17
· Keep watch over Flock -Acts 20: 28-31
· Warn against: quarreling about words (ruins those who listen) - 2 Tim 2:14
· Encourage with sound doctrine, refute those who oppose it Titus 1:9
· Warn a divisive person once, twice, and then have nothing to them with Titus 3: 9-10

5. Find Trust Worthy men to help lead the Congregation/Appoint Elders
· Elders ordained by Paul and Baranabus - Acts 14:23
· Laying on the hands to ordain elders, do not do it to unworthy men - I Timothy 5:22
· Entrust teachings to men who are qualified to teach others - 2 Timothy 2:2
· Straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders -Titus 1:5

6. Work with fellow leaders as a team to “run” the church
· Church Discipline - Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Tim 5:20
· Feed and take care of Jesus’ sheep -John 21: 15-20
· Keep Watch over the flock, that was purchased with Christ Blood -Acts 20:28
· Restore the erring brother - Gal 6:1&2, James 5:19-20
· Manage the Church -1 Tim 3: 4-5
· Direct the affairs of the church - 1 Tim 5:17
· Pray for the sick, anoint with oil – James 5:14
· Shepherd the Flock, with a willing spirit -1 Peter 5: 1-4

7. Be an example of Christian Living/ Give an Account before God
· God judges, He will bring to light what is in men’s heart - 1 Cor 4:4&5
· We are not trying to please men, but God who judges the heart -1 Thess 2:4
· Don’t let others look down on you, be the example of Christian living. -- 1 Tim 4:12
· Imitate the faith of your leaders, look to their lives, as examples of faith. They must give an account before God and Jesus -Hebrews 13:7, 17
· We who teach are judged more strictly -James 3:1
· Be an example to the flock – 1 Peter 5:3



8. Use talents and Abilities/ Spiritual Gifts to expand God’s Kingdom
· Parable of the Talents – Use them or lose them Matthew 25: 14-30
· Jesus gave us gifts, talents, etc to prepare people for the works of service, so that the church may be built up, Etc - Eph 4:11-16
· Spur one another on toward love and good deeds -Heb 10:24


9. What all of this looks like

We have a man equipped, appointed, anointed by God, not only to help lead God’s church which Christ is the head of, but to make sure that the mans’ own family makes it to heaven too.

There will be some weeks where I am at work around 40 hours and others around a 100 or more. Ministry is not a job, it is calling and a lifestyle. There will be funerals, weddings, counseling, meetings, classes to teach, conventions to attend and emergencies. Plus making sure the pulpit is full every week. There are songs to be sung to God and our Savior on Sunday morning. There will be disagreements to work out, and biblical discipline to gently hand out.

I will stumble, I will fail you, I will fail God. Like Timothy I will hope to be an example of what a Christian looks like, and yet I know that no single man can embody the fullness of Christ Jesus, and no body should expect me to.

I know my gifts include: Speaking the Word of God, Teaching the Word of God, Counseling, Praise and Worship, Exhortation, and Leadership.
I have not been given these for my benefit; they are for the benefit of you and the Kingdom of God. Just as the church doesn’t live for itself; the church lives to serve the world that God and Christ created.

I have at least a duel role – Lead the people into a relationship and teach them the ways of Christ Jesus and help equip them for serving the Kingdom of God. That is why the plurality of shepherds is so important, and the fact that everybody has been called to serve, not only Christ Jesus, but also His church. We are all called to be ministers, and to use our gifts to bring glory to God and serve each other. shepherd-servant-teacher-prayer warrior-singer-mercy shower- musician-drama jock-poet-artist-gift giver-rancher-mechanic-ETC
We are all called to serve God period.We are all called to die to ourselves and live for Jesus.

I will live my life in front of others because the Bible says that I am to be an example. I commit to lead a life of prayer .I commit to study and searching the scriptures. I commit to take one day off a month for a spiritual retreat (Music, Bible, and notebook)- Jesus, often went off by himself to pray. I commit to learning: be it by books, the Internet, magazines, conferences, or time with other ministers .I commit to being available 24/7 - 365 to the flock, which God has put me over (unless on Vacation). I commit to being the spiritual head of my household, and raising my girls to know Jesus

My Goals
· Help people serve God, while boldly proclaiming His Word.
· To the best of my ability live an exemplary Christian Lifestyle.
· Build relationships with church members and members of the community
· Follow God




Imperfect and serving Jesus,

Michael

"Do They Know it's Christmas Time at All?"

I rember growing up inthe 80's. It was fun time the Raiders won the Super Bowl back in 83 destroying the Redskins. It was great time of life. We had lived in the Texas, Virgina, Mass, and finally settled in Conn.

Right now after spending 3 years in the SW I am glad to be in Montana. We are expecting snow this Christmas, and after a long time I can actually sing "Iam dreaming of White Christmas, just liek the ones I used to know"

Speaking of songs there is one that I love. It's the title of this posting "Do they know it's Christmas Time at All?". The big names in British music got together and decided they needed to dosomething about the poor and starving people in Ethopia. So, they made a song, an album and gave the proceeds to help take care of these children and their parents.

Today I was wonderng do people in my community know it's Christmas time at all? Do they know that the greatest gift ever given is the Life of Jesus Christ. Yes, practically my fmaily bought gifts and supplies for a child on the Walmart "Angel Tree". But, does that child and her parents understand what Christmas is about?

Do they think it is just about gifts, happy tidings, and spending time with their familes or do they know that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that who believes in him, will not perish, but have eternal life" John 3:16 NLT? Do they know that the "christian" world is more about showing love to others, than just recieving the love of others?

That is what our Bristish folks did. They showed the world "Love to others". It is a simple song and simple reminder that the greatest gift we will ever receive is eternal life, brought to us by the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

May God truely bless you this Holy day Season.

Merry Christmas,
Mike

Broken

I am broken.

Writing

Broken.

My sins are all around me.

I come to you Broken

I approach my friends Broken

I approach my church Broken

I am broken by the things I speak out against, and yet I struggle with.

I am broken

I come to your throne broken.

I come begging forgivness

For my sins have broken my relationship with you.

I am broken.

and I need you to forgive me.

To fix me.

I am sorry that I am broken.

I desire to not be so broken.

but to be made well.

For I am broken.

and only you can heal me.

For I your son, your friend, your messanger am broken.

Broken.

and I need you.

Need you to fix me, so that I am not broken.

To forgive me, so that I might walk with you once again.

I am broken.

And the Potter to mold this clay.

To heal this clay.

I am broken, and I love you. and I am sorry.

That I am broken.

Somethign for the seasn.

Hope you enjoy this as much as i did.

http://godspace.wordpress.com/2006/11/29/advent-liturgy/

JESUS HAS A TATOO?

I cannot believe this. People actually say that Jesus has a tatoo. Does he not know that having a tatoo is sin? Has not the scriptures in Leviticus told us that "tattoing for the dead" is a sin?

What about all of those fundamentalist that have called me a heathen and heritic because of mine?

Well guess what, according to scripture in Rev 19:16
"On his Robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of Kings and Lords of Lords"

We can see clearly that text talks abotu on his robe it is written,
and then on his thigh.

What will we come up with next, when we start reading the Bible instead of following what man says?

Here we go again

I belong to two forums. One is mostly made up of Pastors in the Restoration Movement, the other is called the OOZe. Rigth now both are discussing womens rols as elders.IF you were to lable me It would be this " Emerging Restoration Pastor". Then I would look at you and say " You label me, I'll label you". In reality I belong to Christ Jesus. I enjoy the converstaions I have on the OOZe and I enjoy pastoring at Restoration Church. Jesus call's me brother and friend. Maybe so should you.

I see the problems that we run into at "church" is mostly due to people trying to make the Bible fit into what they want. Instead we need to look at the Bible and see what God wants. A lot times there is a difference. It is not up to us to force God to change, it is our responsibilty to allow Him to change us. We might not like what the Bible has to say, but you know a lot of times I didn't like what my bosses said either, and surprise, I followed what they said.

If we stopped fighting for our percieved rights, and follow the example of Jesus in laying down all of our rights. I think that we would see a shift in our realtionships with each other and our Creator.

Maybe that is what "love thy neighbor" really means. Laying down our rights.
-M

Oh Hello There

Welcome to my musings.

This is the first time I have "blogged" and hope to continue to at least once a week. Some people asked me to start one, so I did. I might not be funny, or orginal. I will have something to say, that will hopefully make you think. Sometimes it might upset you, and other times you might enjoy it. But, in the end at least we shared some time together.

I hope you enjoy the stay, and my musings