Living Faith Realities: 2024

As I look back over my life and call to ministry, I have learned a few things if even as Rev. Kenneth E. (Dad) Hagin used to say - “By Accident.”

I have been at this for a while now. I am in my 45th year of active ministry. I started Teaching and Preaching at 17 years of age. Today I function in the Ministry Grace of Apostle, it is the primary way I serve the Body of Christ. In retrospect, I believe it has always been my ultimate destiny and assignment.

But truth be told, where I started at 17 years of age, 4+ decades ago is miles apart from where I am now. There have been many stages and levels of growth through these years. I initially was so excited when my Father, (my both natural and spiritual father) confirmed to me that he knew I was called to preach since I was 5.

But Even through he knew I was called to preach, he did not Ordain or Commission me at 17. He knew I was not ready yet for either one of those steps.(all I had confirmed to me by him was that he knew I was called.) Sadly, many in our day believe that we are called one day and are ready to be Ordained or Commissioned the next.

I have seen many step out too soon before they were ready, and cause many problems for themselves and others. I have even made mistakes in recognizing people’s call and promoting them before they were ready. We have had far too much of both scenarios in the Kingdom.

The Biblical narrative teaches us the major foundational principle of development before one is ready for either one of those steps. We have many examples from Scripture of folks needing to go through “Process” (a word we hate, perhaps a “Christian cuss word” 😉) before they were ready for such action. We could speak of and name Bible Characters like:

* Moses

* David

* Joseph

* Elisha

* Jesus

* The Original 12

* Paul

What do all these Bible Characters have in common? Before they were ready to fully step into and manifest the full expression of their ministry, there was a period of Maturation of Character Development, many times through sufferings, trials, temptations, and stages of development. It seems to be very evident to even just the average Bible Reader, if they are honest, there are no “Overnight Sensations” in the Holy Scriptures.

Even as I look back over my evolution in ministry, I can see clearly defined intervals of acceptance and readiness defined by the actions my Father approved and activated in my life. (I know that last statement maybe made some folks mad) But my Father knew when I was ready to be Ordained, and he knew when I was ready to be Commissioned Apostle. And it wasn’t when he confirmed that I was called to preach at 17!

Back when I was 17 when the Call was confirmed, that would have been around 1979. I was not Ordained to the Ministry until 1993. In the interim there were 2 years of formal Bible and Ministry Training at Rhema Bible Training Center, and several years of ‘helps ministry’, serving other men of God in their ministries. I was not Commissioned Apostle until 2016 by my Parents and a Presbytery of my Peers.

From 1993 to 2016, there was much development in my calling through many stages of function, including:

* Evangelist

* Short-term Missionary

* Bible School Teacher

* Revivalist

* Seminar Speaker

* Prophet

* Writer and Blogger

After all these years, my Father agreed that I was now ready to be Commissioned to my ultimate call. I believe many seek to be Ordained and/or Commissioned too soon prematurely, way before they are ready, even though they legitimately have the call of God on their life.

The Bible is clear that many are called, but few are chosen. I personally believe that the thing that separates the Called from the Chosen is the Process of serving others in the Kingdom, character development, and yielding to our Fathers.

My Father knew where I was in my process and when I was ready for each Major Step. He was not trying to hold me back, he was trying to insure that I would not fail and that I would go further than he did, and do more than he did!

I believe that many do not have the blessing of a godly father equipped with the heart of Father God in their lives that they are accountable to. I am grateful for my Father, and even though I did not understand many of the things he tried to tell me all through my development, it is evident he knew what he was doing and there surely was “a method to his madness!”

So please fathers, wait until you know that folks are ready to be Ordained and/or Commissioned. Many have been lifted up in pride when Ordained or Commissioned to soon. Hence Paul’s admonition about “Not A Novice.”

Please you that are up-and-coming ones, learn from the Biblical examples. Learn from my life story. Wait for the timing of God. Don’t run off half-cocked into a brick wall, I know “smushed nose syndrome” is not fun, and it is painful too. By pushing for that recognition too soon, you may be doing more harm than good to others, and yourself in the Process.

#Ordained #Commissioned #FullnessOfTime #YieldedToFathers #CharacterDevelopment #ServeSomeoneElse #WaitForPropperTiming #AvoidingProblems #DontBeInAHurry

****Don’t Be Too Quick To Ordain Or Commission People****