The Ministry of Help: Lessons on Serving God & Others

 

While reading this book, I had to mark the first page of The Ministry of Helps Handbooks by Dr. Buddy Bell, asking, “Have you ever argued with God when He asked you to do something?”

 

And my answer…Yeah, and who hasn’t? Why do we always want to hear from the Lord when we make a petition, but when He comes to us with something, we have to question whether or not we have heard from the Lord.

 

The Lord asked me to give $100 to a particular lady in the ministry, but I didn’t. I was disobedient. Finally, two years later, I gave her that money and told her that God had told me to give it to her. She was so touched by that jester that she gave me a card. Not long after that, the Lord told me to give another person the same amount. I was obedient then. 

She got it within a week.

 

I also liked when Mr. Bell talked about how people get a “drip” of the anointing and raise their hands to volunteer in the ministry but then have second thoughts. 

I had to ponder some questions Mr. Bell asked regarding serving and ministering to sinners: Would you take food and clothing to a family that does not yet know Jesus? Yeah. We do it every day with relatives. Sometimes, it’s not always about bashing people over the head with Jesus; people listen to what you say and how you act. When situations arise that show the love of God in us, we are to show it. We are not to second-guess the Holy Spirit's probing. 

 

I also considered what Mr. Bell said regarding people placing higher honors on one ministry office over another. Like no one wants to work behind the scenes with the children, but they wouldn’t mind being upfront ushering. Churches sometimes have to beg people to help clean the church, but it would be stampeded if they said they needed someone to fill in for the pastor while he’s gone on vacation. Some people are just eye-pleasers and don’t even realize it (or maybe they do and don’t care).

 

I also thought about some people in ministry when Mr. Bell said, “There are some in leadership who are so good at hiding among the sheep that they could skip a service and the sheep not even know they were not there. And, often, even the shepherds don’t know the elders are not there!”

 

The last thing I want to talk about is Mr. Bell's talk about answering the call. He said that God will “honor your obedience by giving you the love, ability, and lack of fear to do it.” He said we would be uncertain at first, but then it seemed like we were always doing it.

 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was helpful and gave an excellent insight into the ministry of help.

Understanding the Ministry of Helps in Church Leadership

 

I’ll start at the beginning.

 

I love how Mr. John Eckhardt explained the difference between natural and spiritual gifts in his book Ministry Anointing of Helps. People think that ministries of help only do natural things, such as cleaning the church, receiving tithes and offerings, leading people to their seats, etc., but the ministry also needs people to pray for spiritual protection, singers to bring the people before the throne of God, etc.

 

Page 14 deals with deacon-possessed churches and how the deacons are not called to run the churches, control the pastor, or tell the pastor what to do or say. Mr. Eckhardt calls this a form of witchcraft. I had to pause and ponder that. They are using manipulation to control the pastor and get their way…..I would be terrified to touch God’s anointed.  Deacons are called to be members of the help teams and to help hold up the leader’s hands.

 

I then flipped to page 16 and read about Elijah and Elisha. It talked about how, after confronting the prophets of Baal, Elijah took off running when Jezebel threatened to kill him if she caught him. I always wondered why Elijah ran for his life when he knew God was on his side. But Mr. Eckhardt broke it down for me….Elijah was spiritually drained. 

 

It opened my eyes to how much we, as the ministry of help, are needed. A leader can’t do everything. I always thought that Elijah picked Elisha to train him to take over. I didn’t realize Elijah was grooming Elisha for takeover and using him for help.

 

I then flipped to page 21 and read about being a financial blessing to the ministry. Mr. Eckhardt stated, "The motive must be pure, from a generous heart. People are not to help ministries financially with impure motives. The motive must never be to control or get the ministry's favor.”

 

In the last chapter, Mr. Eckhardt discussed laying down our life as a ministry gift. He said, “The Lord will divinely connect people to a ministry to help bring the vision to pass. He will cause intercessors to give their lives in prayer for you. The Lord will join psalmists and minstrels to you. The Lord will join prophets to you. These are divine relationships that can be established for a lifetime.” So many people say they are sent by God to hook up with a leader, but when something goes down, they bail out. I wish people stop lying to God and start seeing the truth about themselves; their motives are wrong.

 

This book basically dealt with how we, as the Ministry of Helps team, should not try to step out of place. We are there to help the leadership, not to run things and throw tantrums when we can’t get our way.

Are You Supporting Your Church Vision?

I first want to touch on Chapter Two of  Proper Attitudes Toward Leadership by Robyn Gool, who asked if we were in the right church. He said that we may be in the wrong church if we can’t connect to the ministry's vision or receive from the pastor. I will tell you that I have been in churches where I knew immediately that I would not fit in. Others took me time to realize that. 

 

Another thing is that when we are not connected to the vision or receiving from the pastor, our blessings are held up. I read recently in another book that when God is ready to unleash His divine blessings on us, and we have moved out of position (or are disobedient), then the ministering angel has to return the blessings to the sender! What a feeling that must be. I don’t ever want to be in that position.

 

Another thing I want to touch on is when Mr. Gool talked about receiving the word from pastors. We, as Christians, have to make sure that what we are hearing and running with is correct. He talked about people who could quote scripture and don’t even know what it means or if it’s correct; they only know that someone in leadership said it.

 

The author also discussed people being led by false leaders. He used Jim Jones, who led millions to their deaths. Mr. Gool said that people also needed to take responsibility for their actions. Like Mr. Gool said, when Judgment Day comes, we can point the finger at the person who told us it was okay, but we’re also going to explain why we did it, knowing what the word said and with the Holy Spirit checking us. 

 

The last thing I want to touch on is when the author talks about Christians supporting the ministry and uses the scripture Haggai 1:7-12. I love that scripture because it makes me understand why people suffer when they do not have to. It also keeps my mind clear that I do not want to be one of those people. I also meditate on Malachi 3:8-10. While typing this, I realized something. In Haggai, the people “have sown much, and bring in little,” and the heavens withheld dew and the earth withheld its fruit, and in Malachi, the people robbed God and had a curse placed on them when they could have had the windows of heaven opened to them, and they would have had more than another. Wow! God is just looking for us to be about His business. 

The Value of Servanthood in the Workplace

The first chapter I read, How to be the Greatest in God's Kingdom/ Understanding the Value of Servanthood by Byron D. August, was about serving in the workplace. I thought it would discuss reaching lost coworkers, but it didn’t. It talked about how I should behave while at work! I was glad to know I’m a good worker and positive Christian role model.

One paragraph that I have meditated on for weeks since reading the book is when Mr. August says, “They should not have to look after the company when you are around. When you are on the job, the boss or owner should be able to sleep at night. They should know that you will do your job and take care of the company as well or better than they would. They should be able to leave at a moment’s notice without the company missing a beat. The company should stay on course of success with you at the helm.”

 

I also had to ponder what Mr. August said about people being more willing to give up their money than their time. I try to give both, but I give more of my time. It’s not because I don’t have money, but because I allow the Holy Spirit to minister to me on what a person needs.

 

The second thing I meditated on was the statement that many people serve in the ministry because they want to be seen by everyone. I thought about that because the Bible tells us to check ourselves against the scriptures.  I’ve always been meek and humble when it came to the things of God, and I know I’m more of a behind-the-scenes person, so I know that my motive for serving in the kingdom is not to win a popularity contest.

 

The last thing I want to discuss is Mr. August's statement that many people do not realize that those in ministry may also have another career. We assume pastors spend all their time studying the Word and praying in the spirit. We don’t stop to think that they may have two callings: one natural and one spiritual. And that maybe both are to be used for God’s purpose.

 

A librarian can be a Sunday school teacher for the kingdom by day, an author/journalist can be the church announcement writer by day, or a librarian can also be the church housekeeper, or an author/journalist can be a demon chaser by day.

 

I read that 5 percent of church members do 90 percent of the work. It shouldn’t be like this. When I decided to get involved in the church and stop being a bench warmer, I put my hands on whatever was needed. Why aren’t we, as Christians, willing to get more involved in the ministry? Why aren’t we willing to help hold up the pastor’s hands? One reason is that we don’t know how much help is needed.

 

In closing, I enjoyed the book, and Mr. August provided much insight into what I need to do to be a godly servant.

The Power of Church Involvement For Spiritual Growth

While reading 12 Ways To Be A Blessing To Your Church, I jumped all over it. My subconscious told me what was more important and what I needed to work on, but I’ll start at the beginning.

When I come to church, the only thing I want the church to do for me is to be my spiritual family and help me grow in the Word. I come to church looking to fellowship with my spiritual family, grow in the Word, and be open to the Holy Spirit to see where I can be a blessing. I’m not looking for a handout, favoritism, etc. I’m there to be a blessing.

I remember talking to someone at my church in Florida who said that people always look up to you—whether you know it or not. I’m also a cheerful giver. I tend to only give monetary gifts or a birthday card, but I’ve never considered that I could bless the pastor on special occasions by doing other things.

When I decided to get involved in the church and stop being a bench warmer, I put my hands on whatever was needed. At first, I was overwhelmed by the number of openings and then saddened by the fact that there were so many openings. Why aren’t we, as Christians, willing to get more involved in the ministry? Why aren’t we willing to help hold up the pastor’s hands? One reason is that we don’t know how much help is needed. We know that help is needed, but we aren’t made aware of where it’s needed.

I remember one time recently when I came to the church early to clean, and when I finished, I went into the sanctuary and began to pray. And I was deep in prayer when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Someone told me that the pastor had set his garbage outside his door and needed to be emptied. Did I tell them to “Wait a minute, let me get this last prayer request in?” Of course not. I jumped up and emptied the garbage. As Kate McVeigh wrote in the book, we must “Be Part of the Solution” and not the problem. There was a problem, and it needed to be solved. And I did it.

One thing that McVeigh addressed that I’m trying hard not to do is to become too familiar with the pastor or anyone in leadership. The Holy Spirit has checked me on that recently. I want to be helpful and more talkative, but I’m realizing that I’m saying things that could be taken out of context or seen as disrespectful. That’s one thing that I do not want to do. I don’t want to give place to the devil and let strife or offense come into play.  

The last thing that the author touched on was being ready for people who are in need. There are times when more qualified people can help. I always hear people say, “Unless you’ve walked in someone else’s shoes, then you don’t know…” and that’s the reason why I always feel like I’m not the person to turn to because I don’t know what they have been through. I may not have personally been in that situation, but I know the word of God and that it can solve any problem. 

Choosing Godly Leaders & Finding Your Fit in Church

The passage tells us to choose our leaders (shepherds) based on their lifestyle. If they are living a godly lifestyle, we must follow and imitate it. In his book Help Me to Fit in My Own Church, T.D. Jakes tells us not to choose them for any other reasons—not due to their church size, charisma, or what they say. The fruit of their lives should be evident.

I remember when I lived in Florida, my former pastor said that if we heard, knew, or even saw that he was cheating on his wife (who was a stronghold in his life previously), we were to leave, not pray for him and stay, but to leave and pray for him. He said that if sin was in the camp, then Satan was also there.  As Mr. Jakes said, “Your pastor should have some positive results from his or her conduct. They might start struggling, but eventually, there should be some fruit.”

Too many people choose a pastor based on everything but their life. I’m fortunate enough to have had the wisdom to choose godly pastors as my shepherds. I have been in churches where I immediately knew I would not fit in. Others took me time to realize that. When I first moved to Memphis, I visited a few churches that I saw on television (some that I saw on television, I just totally ignored. I sometimes get uneasy feelings about those who are in the kingdom. I have a feeling that something is not right, but I can’t put my finger it). 

I was never one for church hopping; seeing the different types of atmospheres within the churches was an eye-opener. But I knew that I couldn’t connect to their vision. It wasn’t much about how the service was run but their vision and what they were doing to further it. One thing that I’ll keep repeating is that I “need the word.” I don’t (and the majority of the body of Christ doesn’t either) have time for playing. I know that God’s kingdom needs to be furthered.  

The second thing I want to touch is having a godly spiritual leader.

The third thing that I want to touch on is the passage in the book that says God must remove our rough edges to help us fit into the church that we are in. God placed me here for a reason, and that’s where I’m to stay and grow. 

I never agree with everything that a pastor says. Will I obey them if they are teaching the word? Yes. Will I follow them if they have a calling from God to do a particular thing and it is according to the word? Of course, I will. There are some things a pastor is doing that I don’t necessarily agree with or think will succeed, but I keep that to myself. But I understand it's not a big deal as long as it doesn’t cause me to compromise my walk with the Lord.

Another thing Mr. Jakes said that stuck with me was: “Get involved. Become contributors of your time, your energies, and your finances. When you serve, God gives you a special grace and anointing. It will never be attained through a tape or a book. It comes from yielding yourself to the work of the Lord.”

I remember when I started volunteering my time to clean up the church while I was looking for a new job. I needed something to occupy my time (there was no need to give the devil room to play), and the blessings started immediately. I don’t think many people realize that when they get busy with God’s business, God will get busy with their business. I was once one of those people, but I’m happy to know that now. My love for the Lord and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is shown through my work in the local church.

In closing, I really enjoyed the book, and Mr. Jakes provided much insight into how I need to fit into my church. 

From Calling to Separation: Lessons from Bob Yandian’s 'You Have A Ministry'

I love the way Mr. Yandian defines calling and separation in his book You Have A Ministry.

A long time ago, I was told by the pastor’s wife that I was to marry a ministry gift (I'm unsure what kind). She said that I needed to start spending time with her so that I could prepare (she, of course, was married to a ministry gift and was willing to share with me what I needed to know). I needed to be separated. So I started attending preparation classes for marriage, but I was so anxious, and when he didn’t come right away (or at least me knowing who it was), I grew weary, gave up, and moved away.

I doubt that the calling can go where I go (out of God’s will), and I’ll always wonder what my life would have been like. That’s why the answer can be yes when asked if we know our calling. But the question should be, are we able to fulfill it? I think most people with a calling are so anxious for it to be fulfilled that they don’t want to wait and prepare for it so that they can serve God’s kingdom to the fullest.  

That may be why the body of Christ is in the shape it is now - we don’t want to wait. How many men have been legitimately called by God to be pastors of churches but decided to go ahead of God and start their own churches? How many women have been married to ministry gifts and left them while they went through seminary school, and now another woman is reaping the benefits? 

I also loved when Bob Yandian said that you are not promoted if God doesn’t promote you. I can’t promote myself, and you can’t promote yourself. Only God can. That’s why whenever something good happens to us, we praise God.  The only thing that man can do for us is have favor on us. I don’t know about anyone else, but God is my increase. 

I loved the way Mr. Yandian defined qualification and faithfulness. Many people seem to think that because they have been to seminary school, are called by God (or their daddy), or have been saved for 30 years, they should be first in line to get a promotion.

I looked at the type of personality that a faithful person has according Bob Yandian I realized that my personality fits that, meek or teachable. I was told that along time ago by the pastor’s wife from my Florida church. She said I’m teachable because I don’t have all of the junk from being in a traditional church. Unlike others in the church, they didn’t have to spend years getting out what someone else had put in. I have a teachable spirit.

When I first started attending church, I was a bench warmer (there’s no need for me to lie), but when people love the Lord, they show it by being faithful, doing things for Him, and spending time with Him. It’s just like when a man likes a woman. He’ll do things for her. Sometimes, it’s for no particular reason at all. He may have seen something, and he knew that she would like it. The point is that she was on his mind. That’s how we should be with God: wanting to spend time with Him. 

Mr. Yandian gave some reasons for not getting into ministry full-time. One reason was that it looked glamorous. One in 10 people in ministry are in it for that reason. But God will deal with those people when the time comes. The point is that those of us in this ministry should be about God’s business. 

Overall, the book opened my eyes to what my calling was. 

Understanding 'Sheeps, Goats, and Wolves' Through the Lens of Christianity

                  

                 I’m proud to say that I’m a sheep.

I really enjoyed Mark T. Barclay's book Sheep, Goats, and Wolves. I read it in about an hour. Mr. Barclay does an excellent job of explaining the types of Christians in the body of Christ and using the analogy of Christians with animals (Jesus did the same thing). It opened my eyes to why people act the way they do and helped me see what category I fell into. But after reading the book, I just realized that most Christians are goats.

When I read the section on the sheep and saw their qualities, I knew I was a blessing to God and my pastor. I always tell people that when I go to church, I want the Word, and I need the Word. Mr. Barclay states, “The less strife, arguing, doctrinal debate, dissension, and turmoil present, the more they (sheep) enjoy. True sheep will turn away from agitated waters even if they thirst.” That is so true. If more Christians focused on God and His word and left everything else in the world (and church) alone, they could receive what God has for them, help hold up their pastor’s hand, and carry out the calling on their life.

When I read the section on goats my eyes were opened to the fact that most Christians are goats. The part that stood out the most to me was when Mr. Barclay stated “so while they (goats) are under your care, milk them as often as you can! Get all the milk you can before they leave.” Wow! Should non committed Christians be used for their money and or talents? I thought about that for a while and realized that while they are under the leadership of someone, they still must behave a certain way because that leader will have to account for what he taught and what he allowed to go on. But I also recognize that the pastor (if called by God) will have a discerning spirit, will know what type of Christian a person is and how to get them to contribute to the kingdom of God. 

The section on wolves raised more questions for me than gave me answers. Are wolves believers or make believers? Are they demons? Why do they seek more to destroy the flock and not the shepherd? Why not just stay in the world and help destroy it? Do most wolves in sheep’s clothing go undetected by the shepherd (but not the sheep) because he wants the church to “grow”? Is salvation possible?

I asked my fellow Christians, and they gave me insight on wolves because I was totally lost. I now know that when I see a wolf, I scream, “Wolf, Wolf.” Before, a wolf may not have devoured me, but I would have watched them devour another sheep because I didn’t know the difference.

The section on watchdogs also made me realize the role of those who protect the shepherd and the sheep from the wolves but not from each other. That made me realize what my role will be. No, I won’t be a watchdog, but I will be a worker in the kingdom and on the front lines of ministry. A watchdog has to have the master’s (and whatever or whoever the master is responsible for) best interest at heart. 

Like Mr. Barclay said, shepherds (pastors) have been on both sides of the aisle. They know what it is to be a sheep and be in leadership. We can never say the pastor doesn’t know what we’re going through. I reread that statement again because I skipped over it the first time. But it’s so true. Many Christians, including myself, feel that pastors are giving unreasonable rules to live by and that they do not know what it like to be single or in a bad financial situation or dealing with all the stuff that goes on in churches. But when I read that statement again, I had to check myself and thank God for the shepherds that He has placed in the kingdom.  

Overall, I loved this book. It opened my eyes to my fellow believers' actions and how we can help and not hinder our pastor and the kingdom of God.