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I dont post much here because for one my spelling i awful and embressing two i dont think Iknow as much as some of you men about the word of God but I do need some advice, My pastor called me into his office last week and asked me to consider becoming an elder in our church! I am 43 years old have been Christan for 15 years have led the mens ministry for 3 years, but wow this is a huge step for me I love Jesus with all my heart but am I ready how do you Know you are ready. Please think this through and pray for me please. DK

God knows your ready...That's why you were chosen...

Accept the position with humility, and do the best you can..

Dan

Dan I was sure humbled by the offer. Thanks DK

Darren,

Do you trust your Pastor? If you do, then HE must think you are ready. And as far as being "ready" goes, if you really think you are ready, you probably aren't. Pride may have entered in.

It's kind of like one of the men in our church asking me at what point in my Christian life I realized I was "qualified" to pastor a church. My answer to him was a simple 6 letters long. -- NOT YET!

You pray about it, keep your heart in tune with the scriptures, follow the leading of the Holy Ghost, and if HE gives you the go ahead, then go ahead.

I like what Paul said in 1Timothy 1:12 "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;"

It's not about "readiness" or "qualifications" -- it's about the enabling of God, and the fact that the Lord counts a man faithful and the Lord puts the man into the ministry.

If I was God, (O, my! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> ) I would not have put ME in the ministry. He obviously sees things a little differently than I do. (And some of the brethren, to boot. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )

I'll pray that the Lord answers your questions.

Brother Keith

go get 'em, darren.
looks to me like a divine appointment.
don't let that ol' debbal tell you any different ...

Ready! are you kidding me i am scared to death but i want God wants. Our church is really struggling right now and want to help, and yes i do trust our pastor and the nominating commoite. DK

Darren,

I will keep you in prayer brother that the Lord will lead you to the right decision.
Also don't shy away from posting here because of spelling. God sees the heart; not your letter arrangement.

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!

Amen, Brother!

I agree with what's been said, except that I differ with shootist in "qualifications." I do think they were given for a reason.

So I'd say study 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 to make sure that you do qualify as one. If so, then good luck to you! I agree that keeping the humble attitude you seem to have is a great asset to you.

You're going to leave out 1 Cor 9:19-27? I'd study on that one for a while too. And while you're at it, give Acts 20, and 2 Cor 6:1-10, and 2 Cor 12:10 and a score of other places. 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1 are good places to start, but don't quit there. Study the life of Moses, the life of David, the life of Saul (as an example of how NOT to do things), the life of Elijah, the life of Jeremiah. Get to the place where the word is burning up your bones.

And then let a few folks try to tell you that God won't use a man like you because . . . . . . . . . and then have them misquote several part verses of scripture to prove that YOU are not QUALIFIED, and they probably are but they WON'T get into the ministry cause they're chicken to face the fires of affliction, but they want to run you off.

I grow weary with the qualified crowd! I've seen them by the droves in an exodus from some seminary or other, slick three points and a poem type messages. Give me a God ENABLED man any time. A qualified man can be proud and lean on his own understanding. An enabled man has to lean on the Lord. Nothing wrong with education as long as it doesn't get in the way of God's enabling. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

<rant mode off>

I want to thank you men, I belive God has used you all to afrim my decision , I called my pastor and asked him to put my name in the hat, ther will be a vote by the body, but I think this is where God wants me the trick to this whole thing is going to remain humble and rembber its not aout me it is about Him. DK

May the Lord be with you brother!!!!!

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!

Praying for you Darren.

Also don't withold your posts from us because of spelling or what may appear more knowledge or whatever. If the Spirit is moving you to post I, for one, want to hear it and I'm sure others will agree. I have always found your posts thoughtful and thought provoking. Best wishes in the election, Brother!

Thanks Rick thats very kind. I love to pray for the men and women here and maybe i will chime in here more. Thanks somuch for all your encourgement. DK

Prayers sent from Ontario.

Be blessed in your calling.