How to walk worthy of your calling as a Preacher in today's society?

Essential to every man or woman of God called to ministry is the understanding of what God specifically called him or her to do in the Kingdom of God. Once that is known, their is then the compelling pull of the spirit of God reminding you that each day you must live you life worthy of your calling.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Bible
• Open heart

1. The first step to living a life worthy of your calling to ministry, which comes from Ephesians 4:1, is to accomplish your calling with the following attributes:
   
   humility
   gentleness
   patience
   bearing with others
   eager to keep unity in the body
   
   If you possess or are asking God to help you possess the above attributes you are on the right track.
2. Now that the basic attributes have been identified. Let's look at some additional bench marks for every preacher: A preacher that desires to live his or her life worthy of their calling must:
   
   1. Effective Ministry requires Ministerial Integrity- To possess ministerial integrity means to be consistent in your own relationship with Jesus Christ. It means that you personally have a prayer life, regular reading and study of the word of God, and undying faith in the power of God.
   
   This level of integrity also compels you to preach only what God has inspired you to preach. You reach a level in your preaching where the spirit of God has complete control and directs your content and focus for God's people. Finally, this level of integrity requires you to the preacher to be transparent and share how this Gospel that you preach has made a CHANGE in your life. This makes the preaching of the Gospel more effective because the hearers can see the evidence in your life.
3. The greatest preacher relating to all people. 2. Ministry is relational- Gone are the old days when people just came to church because they were afraid they would miss heaven. People come to church today because someone personally invited them and brought them to church. As a preacher, one of the most important skills that you will have to continue to sharpen are your people skills. I know you may be an introvert, but that will have to be placed to the side if you are going to do effective ministry. Ministry is about people and if you do not like people, then ministry is not for you. Jesus showed his awesome ability to reach all kinds of people; lepers, prostitutes, lame, blind, poor, well educated, religious, etc..
   
   So what is the task. You must learn about the people that you preach to. Learn their names, pray for their specific needs, speak to them on a regular basis, talk to their children, show them that you are a real person. Remember, Ministry is relational!
4. 3. Ministry is serving- Contrary to what you may see on television and even at your own church. Ministry is about you, the preacher, serving God's people. Jesus best demonstrated such great servant hood when He washed the feet of his disciples regardless of their issues, Jesus served them by washing their feet. The servant is not greater than his master( John 13).
   
   What is the task? Find simple ways to demonstrate the spirit of a servant to those whom you preach to. Birthday cards on their birthday. Visit the sick and shut-in. Comfort a family during their loss.
5. Finally and most importantly, ministry is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your preaching must not only be a history lesson. Your preaching must touch the issues of the people that you serve with the Gospel. The preaching of the gospel must be Evangelistic in nature yielding salvation in Christ through the cross and socialistic. Socialistic because the Gospel must be made plain and relevant to the hearer today. How does Jesus healing the blind man relate to me today? How does the woman at the well episode in the bible speak to my concerns today?
   
   The task is.... Bring the Gospel to the people and where they are today.