Equipping people for ministry is God’s idea.
Since equipping is God’s idea, it only makes sense we follow His plan in our ministry training efforts.
God’s Equipping Plan Should Guide Our Ministry Training
God intends for spiritually gifted people to equip God’s people — the Trainers.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up … (Eph. 4:11-13)
The primary means God provides for training include:
1) His Word — the Textbook
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
2) His Spirit — the real Teacher
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (Jn. 14:26) But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. (Jn. 16:13)
The best training for ministry happens when spiritually gifted Trainers use God’s Textbook to help people do their part, depending on the Real Teacher to do the heart work required to thoroughly equip people.
- How are we Thoroughly Equipped?
- How Critical is the Holy Spirit in Ministry?
- Ministry Tools that Equip Us for Serving
That doesn’t mean Trainers can’t use anything other than the Bible, but it does mean they filter everything through the grid of God’s Word. Ministry done God’s way requires lining up with His character and ways as described in His Word and is accomplished through His power, through His Spirit.
God’s Equipping Plan Reflects the Uniqueness of Doing Ministry God’s Way
We might think public school teachers, business administrators, or community workers get a pass on ministry training due to all their educational background and life experience. Not so, when we consider God’s equipping plan.
Knowing how to teach in the public school system doesn’t mean people are equipped for teaching God’s Word. Bible teachers have a unique accountability for how they handle the words of the Almighty, All-Wise, Supreme God. (James 3:1)
Being business administrators in Fortune 500 companies doesn’t mean people are fit for church administration. Those who manage a spiritual house need spiritual objectives and means. (1 Pet. 2:5)
Working for a benevolent community organization doesn’t mean people know how to extend God’s mercy in ways that minister to spiritual, not just physical needs. We comfort others with the comfort we received from God, with divine love and compassion, not with human emotion or sentiment. (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
Just because something seems to work in the world, doesn’t mean it is right or best. God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isa. 55:9). When we follow God’s equipping plan, we’re helping people to not only do a good job but to make an eternal difference. We reach God’s equipping objectives when we follow His plan — the topic of the next post. For these reasons, all believers need ministry training. None of us have arrived at understanding God’s ways and thoughts. We all continue to grow regardless of educational background or experience.
Also See: Ministry Training Resources