Ugly Class Name

Week 1 of "How do you pray for and/or prepare for ministry and/or missions?" focused on why this class is important and who should be in this class.

"How Do I Pray AND/OR Prepare for Ministry AND/OR Missions?" may be one of the worst class titles I have ever used.

According to online sources, "AND / OR" is ugly and inelegant.
Two "AND / OR"s are even uglier and more inelegant.

The title is not only ugly but also confusing. Some people may not join the class because they don't think it is for them.  

However, the title is accurate, and I wouldn't change it.  This post will explain why it is an ugly but accurate title for the class and review what we discussed in the first session (12.01.24).

Why this class?

Churches need to be praying more for missions and ministry. 
Everyone should be praying for these things.  This class will dedicate part of each session to pray for specific ministries and missionaries of Trinity Baptist Church.  The problem is not a complete lack of prayer in our church but too little God-dependent prayer.  “When prayer is sparse and sporadic when it’s done just enough to ease the conscience and not much more, we’ve got a problem.”  (Onwuchekwa, 18)

Churches must identify, challenge, and prepare people for vocational ministry and missions.  This will help the church fulfill its disciple-making mission NOW and in the FUTURE.  To help everyone understand that whatever and wherever you work, you do it for the glory of God, the church has forgotten the significance of pursuing vocational ministry and missions.  Full-time ministry roles in the local church and missionary roles across cultural, language, and geographical lines are great works. 

So, who would benefit from this class? 

Generally, 

Anyone who wants to grow as a prayer warrior and disciple-making.  

Specifically,

Those who want to learn how to specifically pray for the ministries of Trinity Baptist Church, other churches, and the universal church.

Those who are prayerfully considering or currently pursuing vocational ministry.

Those who are prayerfully considering or currently pursuing missions work.

In this first introductory session, we examined First Corinthians 4:1 - 21, some observations from the class, and D.A. Carson's book The Cross & Christian Ministry.

This passage was broken into three parts.

First Corinthians 4:1 - 7

Carson writes that Christian leadership means being entrusted with the "mysteries of God" and being a servant of Christ.  A Christian leader's loyalty must first be to Jesus.  This loyalty is lived out as one pursues godly righteousness.  In looking through the qualifications for an elder and a deacon, note that most of the list is made up of character qualities every believer should be pursuing these things. 

The "mysteries of God" that have been entrusted to leaders is not some high, secret knowledge that is only revealed to some people.  It is the Gospel, which was a shadown in the Old Testament and is now made clear in Jesus Christ.  

First Corinthians 4:8 - 13

Carson says Christian leadership means living life in the light of the cross.  He goes on to say, "Paul's language is now steeped in biting irony."  The Corinthians thought they had all they needed. 

Christian leaders will be reviled, persecuted, and slandered.  In each of these situations the godly leader will bless, endure, and seek to bring reconciliation.

 

First Corinthians 4:14 - 21

We are reminded that Christian leadership means "encouraging, and if necessary, enforcing the way of the cross, among the people of God."  It is not only about gathering information but also about living out what one believes.  Paul encourages the church to imitate him as he follows Christ.  The goal is not more Pauls.  The goal is for more disciples living for God's glory through Jesus Christ.  Christian leaders, through encouragement and, when needed, discipline.

 BOTTOMLINE:

The Christian leader sets the example by
Proclaiming the Gospel
Living life in the light of the Gospel
Fostering genuine Christian living in the church and the world.