The ministry tool kit

In an interview with J. John, the minister R T Kendall, a Christian pastor, speaker, writer and teacher, was asked, after all his years in ministry, if he had any advice to give to his younger self. And he responded by bringing the audience’s attention to Acts 4:13. In this passage from Scripture, we see Peter and John performing a miracle and having great impact with the people. They spoke “boldly” and with confidence. Members of the Jewish Council who were judging the Apostle’s behaviour were impressed that two uneducated fellows were preaching with such authority. Their power came from having known Jesus.

R T Kendall said, that to effectively evangelise and preach the word, one does not need degrees or years of study in a seminary. The key to conveying God’s love is made up of two things; knowing God’s word and knowing God’s ways. Firstly, a thorough understanding of the Bible is essential to understanding God’s word. We need to read it carefully and study it, absorbing it as though it were a part of our own mental and spiritual fabric, for the Bible is how God, through the ages, has communicated with his prophets and evangelists. Secondly, we need to pray because prayer is what we do to understand God’s ways, how God functions in our lives and how God connects with us on a deep and personal level. We know our loved ones because we talk to them and interact with them, likewise we know God by daily and constant interaction with him and his Spirit. The Bible and prayer, God’s word and God’s ways, the two major components of our ministry tool kit.

So we shouldn’t worry if we feel that we are not “qualified” to preach, or to teach or, even on a grass roots level, to communicate our feelings about Jesus and salvation. Peter and John, through their close connection to Jesus, were able to accomplish amazing things, and while we don’t have the benefit of having known Jesus in person, we certainly have the opportunity to know him deep down, through payer and through absorbing Scripture, the holy word of God. He walked among us and he is still walking among us through his Holy Spirit. Keep reading and keep praying, and he will speak through you.

Blessings always,

Kate