DON’T GO INTO MINISTRY UNLESS YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING ELSE: “WHAT HE MEANT WAS THAT IF WE HAD A CLEAR SENSE OF CALLING AND CONVICTION FROM THE LORD AND COULD’T POSSIBLY ENVIRSION OUR LIVES GOING ANY OTHER DIRECTION, THEN, AND ONLY THEN, SHOULD WE PURSUE MINISTRY.” (Glenn Schroder)

Welcome to then ministry – busy all the time, more to do and needing to delegate more, and being called on nights and weekends with needy people. But here we are – since 1975 doin’ the stuff as our main profession and loving it most of the time.

MINISTRY IS MORE CAUGHT THAN TAUGHT: “John knew that the practices of the kingdom would best be transferred not in a classroom setting but as people were encouraged teenage in the process. He also knew that there was no going back after someone tasted and experienced the presence of God working through them and learned that they could be genuine agents of healing, deliverance, and redemption.” (Glenn Schroder)

The rabbinic model of discipleship John subscribed to is based on the Jewish model of the disciple, or student, committing to the authority and leadership of the rabbi, or teacher. Unlike many contemporary models there is no set curriculum, agenda, or close-ended time frame. Rather, it is an ongoing relationship. It involves as much a transfer of essence as information. Another thing John said in the context of discipleship was, “Pour your essence into people. It’s bigger than what you;’re training them for.” (Glenn Schroder)

“I learned or at least started to learn, the value of making the most of opportunities and speaking truth and life into the heart of another person”. (Glenn Schroder)

Rick and I have also made this our goal to speak life to people and continue to encourage them step by step in their spiritual walk. We want to do this more and more as we seize the opportunity.

THE WAY IN IS THE WAY ON: COLOSSIANS 2:6: “So, then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.”

“Grace is the way in.” We need to be engaged in a grace-filled community.

“Intimacy cultivated in worship and prayer, understanding cultivated in study of the Bible, character cultivated in service and community cultivated in fellowship. Christianity is a process, not an event.” (Glenn Schroder)

Every day we decide to follow Jesus again.