Page 28 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

28 Beginning Ministerial Internship: Student Manual

apart from His contemporaries. It is, also, what will provide the clearest evidence
of a minister’s connection to God.
Why You Cannot Afford to Fail

19 Why is passing this test The ministry will teach the novice to master the techniques of ministry. But
so essential? without love, the minister has missed God’s point and purpose for His work
in this world. Paul speaks of this when he tells the Corinthians that mastering
spiritual gifts and demonstrating incredible personal sacrifice mean nothing
without love (1 Corinthians 13:1).
A minister must understand that the most effective tool in the work of God is
love. Only love can truly change a life. Laws and rules can form a fence around
behavior, but they cannot change a heart. Only love can penetrate a life and
establish the believer in a new direction. Without love, we eliminate our hope of
making a difference for Christ.
Therefore, as Christ’s representative, ministers must realize that their actions
portray the Master’s heart. When a minister fails to love, Christ’s credibility is
damaged. Many refuse to enter a church due to the lack of love once shown to
them, in God’s house. Indeed, the modern world is less convinced each day that
the answers they seek can be found among God’s people. Failure to love renders
the church ineffective.
How to Get a Passing Grade
Walking in divine love is not a natural choice. It is the overflow of the divine
relationship with God. The more a child of God abides in that love, the more
conditioned that person becomes to act, think, and work with others. A leader
should be strengthened for the day’s challenges by considering how great a love
has been given to him or her. Understanding the depth of that love is a lifetime
experience, with so many new facets to explore. It is an unending wonder.
The one called to ministry personally knows the love that does not consider
worthiness. It is a love of personal sacrifice; it seeks the lasting well-being of the
one loved. This has to be the first step, daily.
When the mind is renewed in this reality, the loved will want to extend that
offering to others. God does not require us to give what we have not received.
But He does require us to give what He has freely given. For this reason, the
test of love will be placed before us repeatedly. It is the nature of functioning in
God’s kingdom.
The minister must therefore recognize what makes him or her reluctant to
love. Perhaps a past hurt hinders you from opening your heart to others. If so,
take the necessary steps to forgive. If selfishness keeps you from loving, your
pride must be conquered. This is a test you must pass, or you will be rendered
ineffective for God’s purposes.
The Test of Time

Understanding the Test
The western world moves at an accelerated pace. Waiting implies that
something is not working properly. Yet, much of what is spoken to us from the
Scriptures was originally addressed to an agrarian culture. In such an economy,
periods of waiting were reflected in all of life. A crop was planted, but reaped
many months later. Activities of life were planned around seasons or segments
of a day; battles, entertaining guests, everything happened in the framework of