The Simple Truth: If You are Called to Ministry

By Deborah Bell

(Lead Apostle DGAN Global Network and DGFC churches)

(Originally posted 13 October, 2018)

If you are called into one of the Fivefold Offices in the Church or into a ministry, be sure to understand what that calling involves. If you are called, it’s important to know that everything you do for the LORD and those in the Kingdom, is worth it.

There are difficult times that will give you more than just grey hairs. People are unique and complicated and nothing prepares you for what it takes to be in ministry.

I will elaborate later, but all I want to say right is that if you don’t love people and aren’t prepared to sacrifice much of yourself for others, then perhaps think carefully before entering into the Fivefold Ministry or at least the timing of it.

A timely word

I’ve prayed much about this article and thought long and hard about its content and I believe it’s a timely word of insight for many who are going through, or who have been going through difficult times in ministry and it’s also for all those who feel they are moving towards ministry, this is a word for those who want to receive it.

There are many reasons that we see more Fivefold Ministers leaving ministry now than ever before, perhaps this is a topic in itself for another time – but I believe that God is restoring the Church to its original intent as well as the Fivefold Offices to remove much of the dysfunction that much of the global Church has lived in for years.

Let’s make no mistake, the Church that God has given us to us as believers,  is a place for all of us in our imperfection, brokenness and fragility, Jesus paid the price on the cross for this very reason, which is precisely why we are not meant to stay in those ‘places’ of brokenness and pain. One of the very functions of the Church is to bring healing and restoration. This is why it’s

so important to be grafted into a family of God.

The Church is about Transformation

This is also why the Apostolic Prophetic Church is about the presence and the POWER of God to restore broken lives and to bring healing & transformation so that we are restored into God’s glory, bringing change and encouraging others in the faith as we draw nearer to God and draw people closer to Jesus through our testimony.

For the Fivefold and all in the Church, there are many upsides. Being planted where you are called is the most satisfying thing to experience and to live out one’s destiny and calling.

For example, seeing the vision that God has planted in your heart for years, coming to fruition in people’s lives and in the ministry – and this can take many years. Being involved as an instrument of God’s supernatural anointing in people receiving healing getting saved, and being transformed into Christlikeness is priceless and is still humbling to behold each time.

Ministry takes an overwhelming love, unimaginable patience & selflessness.

It takes overwhelming love, unimaginable patience, a selflessness which if not balanced correctly, can pull a person apart in more directions than a compass has!

It includes facing continual criticism more often than receiving any kind of positive input, dealing with unrealistic expectations most often caused through unhealedness in people’s lives in the Body of Christ and most times having to stay silent about it all.

Jesus knew what it took more than anyone who ever walked on this planet! He was perfect in every way and without sin, yet the brokenness in people caused disciples (students of the word), to take offence and leave (Read John 6:60-63). Jesus experienced betrayal in the highest form and the crowds mocked him even though he was innocent shouting, ‘crucify him’.

Our crowd mentality has to ‘leave us’ when we enter into ministry because there will be many times that what we stand for in the Word will cause us to stand alone, with the few. Jesus’ own people sent him to the cross. That’s why Jesus said,  “watch and pray lest you are caught sleeping.”

Stand on the Truth of the Word

Know the truth. Not my truth or your truth, the truth of the Word and then he says now stand on that truth, no matter the cost. The truth of the Word never leaves anyone out, despite the perception of some, because its foundation is LOVE and love includes all people.

Let me be clear, I believe in and will defend the local church more than most things.  The Church is God’s House it’s God’s design for us to be stewarded in the Kingdom. It stands as the place that is an anchor for our soul. It’s where we build God-given relationships, learn about our Saviour and where we grow and are trained to advance the Kingdom.

The Church is called our spiritual FAMILY because we love each other in Christ’s love and work through things together in good times and through the times of the storms.

It’s called family because family hold onto one another no matter what because love is stronger than anything the enemy throws at us. The key is to make sure we don’t let roots of bitterness, pride and offence take the place of LOVE.

If you are called nothing will satisfy like being where God has called you to and seeing the Kingdom realized together with other believers.