Scriptural Reference:
Good Ministers:
"Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and
encourage-with great patience and careful instruction."
2 Timothy 4:2

"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made
you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood."
Acts 20:28

"Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge
and understanding."
Jeremiah 3:15

"Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know
that we who teach will be judged more strictly." James 3:1

Bad Ministers:
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;
because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the
Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is
of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the
flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard
was coming, and is now already in the world."
1 John 4:1-3

"But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false
teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying
the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many
will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be
blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a
long time their judgement has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber."
2 Peter 2:1-3

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into
apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an
angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves
into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."
2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Reflection: I have delved into the troubling topic of deceitful individuals posing as ministers of the faith. These impostors wear a mask of kindness, uttering words as sweet as sugar to captivate the hearts of many unrepentant sinners seeking comfort. Despite the gravity of their responsibility, they appear to prioritise the gratification of humans rather than the blessings bestowed upon them by God.

In a short piece, I explored what these false ministers should truly prioritise in their sacred calling - the noble duty of spreading authentic spiritual guidance and sharing the profound wisdom of faith. Emphasising the importance of humility, dedication, and genuine service, these individuals are urged to relinquish their desires for worldly acclaim and instead focus on uplifting souls and nurturing a genuine connection with the divine. Only by aligning their actions with the divine purpose of their calling can these false ministers truly serve their congregation and honour the sacred trust placed upon them.

Introductory Statement: With this article we can read a basic statement of purpose.

"It is not lawful for any man to take upon himself the office of public preaching,
or ministering the Sacraments in the Congregation, before he is lawfully called,
and sent to execute the same. And those we ought to judge lawfully called and
sent, which be chosen and called to this work by men who have public authority
given unto them in the Congregation, to call and send Ministers
into the Lord's vineyard."

Of the list of articles this one may be a personal challenge. But I will soldier on and see where this reflection leads me.

Many dedicated followers of Jesus the Christ may often find themselves reflecting on how they can effectively serve Him in the church. For some, this leads to the specific question of whether they should consider pursuing ordained ministry. With support from experienced church leaders, they begin to explore the idea of having a 'vocation' or 'calling' for this path. If they feel strongly about it, they might think it's unfair for anyone to stand in the way of their pursuit of this aspiration.

Article 23 presents a fresh and insightful perspective on this subject through the impactful and profound lens of biblical teachings. Within the pages of the Bible, the concept of a 'calling' is recurrent, shedding light on the paramount significance of being summoned by God to join His divine family, as beautifully elucidated in Romans 8:28-30. This divine calling, originating from the supreme source, signifies a sacred invitation extended to individuals to become partakers in the spiritual lineage of God.

The scriptural reference emphasises the transformative journey of spiritual evolution, urging individuals to mirror Christ's likeness. Article 23 offers a unique perspective on divine callings, encouraging contemplation on their profound implications for personal growth, spiritual development, and alignment with divine purpose. When we talk about our role in the church, Article 23 points out that 'calling' is mainly something that congregations do for specific people, through their authorised representatives. It says, "We should recognise those who are lawfully called and sent, chosen by individuals with public authority in the congregation to appoint and send ministers into the Lord's vineyard."

While we'll explore how the Holy Spirit's guidance plays a role in the ordination process, it's clear that a calling mainly comes from the community around us. For instance, in Titus 1:5, Paul tasks Titus with the job of appointing elders in each town and outlines the qualities he should seek. Similarly, in 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul advises Timothy to pass on what he's learned to reliable individuals who can then teach others. Timothy himself received his gift when the elders laid their hands on him, as mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:14. This suggests that the endorsement from others is a key indicator of a person's calling to ordained ministry.

So essentially what should selectors and bishops, who have the authority in the congregation, consider when deciding whether to invite someone into the ordained ministry?

Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3 both highlight that having a godly character is vitally important. This should be evident not just in how they act personally but also in how they relate to their families. They need to be 'above reproach' and maintain a solid public image. Plus, they shouldn't be new to the faith (1 Timothy 3:6), as that could lead to them getting a bit too full of themselves. It's a smart reminder because it's easy to get drawn to someone who's really passionate about their ministry, but if they lack maturity, they might end up promoting themselves instead of focusing on Christ.

The Bible acknowledges the importance of personal desires, but it doesn't emphasise them as significant. It encourages seeking spiritual gifts, such as prophesy and teaching, and focusing on love and a good job, as stated in 1 Corinthians 14:1 and 1 Timothy 3:1. These references suggest that people might feel a strong inner belief, inspired by the Holy Spirit, that pursuing ordained ministry is the right path for them. However, just having that feeling doesn't mean they're actually called to it. As Article 23 points out, "No one should take on the role of public preaching or administering the Sacraments in the Congregation unless they have been lawfully called and sent to do so."

So where does this leave me? As well as many who feel an inner calling to assist others with their daily walk of faith? Perhaps after many years of being told by relatives who laughed at my faith and told me not to bother. Along with others who told me I was not suited as I was not married; I will accept that this platform will be my place to share my faith and walk side by side with others. As Christians we are told that we each have a part to play. That we are like the many parts of the Body, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. So the body, the collective Christian congregation, is not made up of just one part but is made up of many unique parts.

If you find my words helpful for you please reach out and let me know.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
To those who are called,
To minister and lead your flock,
I pray they will stay true,
To your Holy and Perfect Word,
To the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
To the needs of the congregation.

Heavenly Father,
To those who are gathered,
To be nurtured and fed,
I pray that they will live,
By Your divine and Holy Bible,
By the governance of the Church,
By the salvation in Jesus the Christ.

Amen