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Never Forget How God SHAPED You for Ministry
If you’ve ever doubted your calling to ministry, consider this: God has been molding and shaping you for ministry since before you were born!
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe.” (Psalm 139:13-16 TLB)
This passage indicates that—
- God shaped you for a purpose
- You are unique
- You are wonderfully complex
Spiritual Gifts
The Bible teaches that God gives every believer certain spiritual gifts to be used in ministry (1 Corinthians 12; Romans 8; Ephesians 4). However, I believe spiritual gifts are only one part of the picture. In my opinion, spiritual gifts are often overemphasized to the neglect of other equally important factors. Natural abilities that you were born with also came from God. So do your experiences and inborn personality traits. Your Creator planned these factors as well. I also believe most churches get the process backwards. They say, “Discover your spiritual gifts and then you’ll know what ministry you’re supposed to have.” I believe the exact opposite of this: Start experimenting with different ministries and then you’ll discover your gifts! Until you actually get involved in serving, you’re not going to know what you’re good at.Heart
The Bible uses the term “heart” to represent the center of your motivation, desires, interests, and inclinations. Your heart determines why you say the things you do (Matthew 12:34), why you feel the way you do (Psalm 34:7), and why you act the way you do (Proverbs 4:23). Physiologically, each of us has a unique heartbeat. Each person has a slightly different pattern. Likewise, God has given each of us a unique emotional "heartbeat" that races when we encounter activities, subjects, or circumstances that interest us. Another word for heart is passion. There are certain subjects that you feel passionate about and others that you couldn’t care less about. God had a purpose in giving you your inborn interests. Your emotional heartbeat reveals a very important key to understanding his intentions for your life. Don’t ignore your natural interests. People rarely excel at tasks they don't enjoy doing. High achievers enjoy what they do.Abilities
These are the natural talents that you were born with. Some people have a natural ability with words—they came out of the womb talking! Others are naturally good with numbers. They think mathematically and they can’t understand why you don’t understand calculus. Exodus 31:3 gives an example of how God gives people “skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts" in order to accomplish his purposes. In this case, it was artistic ability to be used in building the Tabernacle. It’s interesting to me that musical talent is not listed as a “spiritual gift,” but it certainly is a natural ability that God uses in worship. One of the most common excuses people give for not getting involved in ministry is, "I just don't have any abilities to offer." Nothing could be further from the truth. Many national studies have proven that the average person possesses from five hundred to seven hundred skills! The real problem is two-fold: First, people need some process of skill identification. Second, they need a process to help them match their abilities with the right ministry. There are people in your church with all kinds of abilities that are not being put to use: recruiting, researching, writing, landscaping, interviewing, promoting, decorating, planning, entertaining, repairing, drawing, and even feeding. These abilities should not be wasted. “There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord” (1 Corinthians 12:5 NIV).Personality
It's obvious that God has not used a cookie cutter to create people. He made introverts and extroverts. He made people who love routine and those who love variety. Some people work best when given an individual assignment while others work better with a team. There is no "right" or "wrong" temperament for ministry. We need all kinds of personalities to balance the church and give it flavor. The world would be a very boring place if we were all plain vanilla. Fortunately, ministry comes in more than 31 flavors. Your personality will affect how and where you use your spiritual gifts and abilities. For instance, two people may have the same gift of evangelism, but if one is introverted and the other is extroverted, that gift will be expressed in different ways. When you minister in a manner that is consistent with the personality God gave you, you experience fulfillment, satisfaction, and fruitfulness. It feels good when you do exactly what God made you to do.Experiences
God never wastes an experience. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV). At Saddleback, we help people consider five areas of experience that will influence the kind of ministry they are best shaped for:- Educational experiences: What were your favorite subjects in school?
- Vocational experiences: What jobs have you enjoyed and achieved results while doing?
- Spiritual experiences: What have been the meaningful or decisive times with God in your life?
- Ministry experiences: How have you served God in the past?
- Painful experiences: What are the problems, hurts, and trials that you’ve learned from?
Recent Articles
5 Ways God Uses Your Ministry Problems
“My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.” Psalm 119:71–72 (NLT)Ministry is filled with problem-solving opportunities. And each problem you face as a pastor will either defeat you or develop you, depending on how you respond.When pastors encounter challenges—an unexpected resignation, a strained marriage in the congregation, a sermon that didn’t connect, or just the weight of heavy responsibilities—they often react with frustration or discouragement. That’s understandable. But when you pause to ask, “How might God be using this?” you open the door for growth, not just in yourself but in your church.Here are five ways God often uses problems in your ministry:1. God uses problems to DIRECT you.Sometimes God uses ministry disruptions to redirect your path. Maybe he’s showing you a different way to lead, preach, or shepherd. As Proverbs 20:30 says, “Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways” (GNT). Don’t waste the detour—God might be leading you to something better aligned with your calling.2. God uses problems to INSPECT you.Leadership always reveals what's inside. And ministry problems will test your motivations, your humility, and your trust in God. As James 1:2-3 says, “When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience” (NCV). What is this challenge revealing about your faith?3. God uses problems to CORRECT you.Even seasoned pastors need course corrections. Sometimes God allows difficulty to realign our hearts with his Word. That’s what the psalmist meant: “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees” (Psalm 119:71 NLT). Has God been using hardship to refocus your heart on his voice?4. God uses problems to PROTECT you.You may not see it now, but some problems are God’s way of shielding you. Maybe that job you didn’t get, the growth that didn’t happen, or the retreat that fell through was actually God’s grace. Like Joseph, you’ll eventually be able to say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20 NIV).5. God uses problems to PERFECT you.You are being shaped for eternity. As Paul writes, “We know that [problems] help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character” (Romans 5:3-4 NLT). Every challenge is refining your soul to make you more like Christ. God is not just preparing sermons through you—he’s preparing you through the fire.You’re going to face difficulties in ministry—maybe even today. But when you do, remember you have a choice. You can let them defeat you. Or you can choose to let God direct, inspect, correct, protect, and perfect you through them.And when you do, you're not just growing as a leader—you're becoming more like Jesus.
Your Shepherd Will Sustain You
Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” Romans 8:32 (NLT)Pastor, as you begin this new week of ministry, it’s easy to feel the weight of unmet needs pressing in on you. Whether it’s the pressure to prepare a meaningful sermon, carry others’ burdens, or lead with clarity in uncertain times—stress has a way of creeping in.Often, stress flows from one root cause: worry. We wonder whether we’ll have what we need—wisdom, strength, time, resources—when we need it. But here’s the truth: If you’re looking to your church, your paycheck, or even your own strength to meet all your needs, you’ll be disappointed. No person or position can shoulder that. Only God can.Some pastors find security in ministry success. But what happens when attendance drops? When criticism comes? When momentum slows? Others look to their families, finances, or future plans. But those can shift in a moment.Instead, root your security in what can never be taken from you—your relationship with Christ. Romans 8:32 reminds us: “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (NLT).Yes, pastor. He will.This week, when worry takes over, stop and declare: “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need” (Psalm 23:1 NLT). You are not alone. The One who called you is also the One who will sustain you. He will give you what you need—when you need it.So take a deep breath. God’s got you. You can trust him with every part of your week.
What to Do When Someone Is Dying
Pastor, at some point this year, you’ll likely be called upon to minister to someone who is dying. Nothing prepares you for that moment like experience—and nothing tests your heart like sitting beside someone facing death.Even with all your training and Bible knowledge, walking into a room where someone is dying can shake you to your core. What do you say? How do you bring comfort? You can’t promise healing—that’s in God’s hands. But you can bring comfort.Here’s how to offer C.O.M.F.O.R.T. to someone who is dying.C: Confront Your Own FearsBefore you can help someone else, you must deal with your own fear of death. Fear of death is natural; many people avoid funerals because they’re afraid of facing death.But as a pastor, you can’t afford to hide from that fear. Instead, you need to admit it. Acknowledge it. And then trust God to help you overcome it. You’re not going to mess anything up by showing up. You’re not going to say the wrong thing. Just be present. Trust that God will use you.O: Offer Your Physical PresenceThe most powerful ministry you can provide is your presence.You don’t have to say much. You might not say anything at all. Just being there—sitting in the room, holding a hand, offering a quiet word of prayer—can be more comforting than any sermon. People should not have to face death alone.M: Minister with Practical AssistanceAsk, “How can I help?”Dying people are often in pain or discomfort. Your willingness to do simple, practical things—adjusting a pillow, turning on a fan, bringing water or ice chips—communicates love. No task is too small. These small acts of service reflect the love of Christ.F: Fortify Them with Emotional SupportPeople who are dying carry heavy emotional burdens. You can help lighten that load.One of the best ways to do this is through prayer. But don’t just say you’re praying—pray aloud with them. Reflect their emotions in your prayers. If they say they’re frustrated, pray, “Lord, Susie is feeling frustrated right now.” If they say they’re scared, pray, “God, Bob is feeling anxious and afraid.” That’s intercession—standing in the gap for someone who doesn’t have the strength to pray.O: Open Them Up with QuestionsDying people often carry a swirl of unspoken emotions—fear, regret, guilt, sadness. Open-ended questions help draw those feelings out.If they ask, “Am I going to die?” don’t pretend you know the answer. Instead, reframe the question: “What does dying mean to you?” That kind of question opens the door for meaningful conversation.And if they don’t want to talk about death? That’s okay. Follow their lead. The goal is not to force a conversation but to create space if they want to share.R: Remember the Family Has Needs TooMinistry doesn’t end with the dying—it extends to the family.Ask the hard questions that family members might feel awkward bringing up, like: “Have you made any final arrangements?” “Is there anything you’d like to say to your loved ones?” Your presence can bring clarity and peace to those standing by.Friends care for friends—and for their families too.T: Turn Them to JesusThe most important ministry you can offer is spiritual.If the person hasn’t yet trusted Christ, lovingly share the Good News. Let them know that Jesus loves them, died for them, and offers eternal life. Invite them to pray with you. This may be the most important moment of their life—and of your ministry.You don’t need all the right words. You just need to bring the presence of Christ into the room. Walk in with compassion. Offer C.O.M.F.O.R.T. And trust that God will use you to bring peace in someone’s final days.
Why Your Health Matters to Your Ministry
Your body is a tool for ministry. God wants to use you to fulfill his purposes in the world—but he won’t do it without your cooperation. That means you must take care of your body.The Bible says: "Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT).If you want God to use you more effectively in the year ahead, it starts with your health.1. Recognize that your body matters to GodThe Living Bible paraphrase says, "You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws” (Psalm 119:73) God created your body and established principles of good health. You need a balance of sleeping, eating, and exercising to serve effectively.Chances are you need to work on at least one of these areas:Sleep: Some of you are tired all the time—not because you’re overworked in ministry, but because you stay up late doing things that don’t matter. A single extra hour of sleep each night could significantly increase your energy for ministry. “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night . . . for God gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2 NLT).Eating: Let’s be honest—God made food taste great. But self-control is necessary. What you eat—and what you avoid—impacts your health and your ministry.Exercise: Every January, people launch into exercise plans. But by February, those plans are often forgotten. Don’t let that happen. Put your plan on the calendar. Make it a commitment, not a whim.2. Develop a healthy attitude toward your bodyYou can choose the wrong attitude. You can choose to neglect it, reject it, or try to perfect it (worship your body). None of those honor God.The right attitude is to respect and protect your body. Why?Because God made it, Jesus died for it, and the Holy Spirit lives in it.3. Discipline yourself for an eternal rewardPaul writes, “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT).You’re not getting in shape just to look good—you’re doing it to fulfill your life mission and serve God with strength.So, pastor, make this the time to get in shape—for the glory of God and the good of others. Watch how God uses you more effectively in ministry when you take care of the body he gave you.
At Pastors.com, our passion is to have healthy pastors leading healthy churches for the global glory of God.
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