Comments on: The Foundation For Ministry and Leading

By: Beth Patterson

Beth Patterson — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:48:23 +0000

Hey Stray (that rhymes, did you know that?)
Thanks for this post–
The healing ministry is so fraught with unhealed persons–it’s almost that ‘we teach what we most need to learn’. In the process of being burned a few times, I’ve learned (I think it’s a maturing thing?) to separate the message form the messenger…that’s helped me a lot, and keeps my judgementalism down to a dull roar.
Thanks again–

By: Beth Patterson : The future is ours to see: crumbling like a mountain

Beth Patterson : The future is ours to see: crumbling like a mountain — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:35:24 +0000

[...] PingBack from http://ryanpeterblogs.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/the-foundation-for-ministry-and-leading/ [...]

By: stray

stray — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:46:05 +0000

Thanks gracerules,

I’m obviously not trying to say that is all the scripture is saying, I’m really trying to draw out a character trait of God from the scripture and applying it to the context of what we’re talking about. Incidentally, there is nowhere in Scripture where God says he removes a gift from someone and I would think it’s because a gift isn’t something anyone deserves. God gives a gift because it’s a gift – not because it’s deserved or undeserved (something being deserved negates His character of grace anyway). Thanks for the comments!

By: gracerules

gracerules — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 05:42:17 +0000

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my questions. I know that contextually Romans 11:29 is talking about the promises that God made to the nation of Israel. I think that it is saying that even though God has set them aside for the time being that he will keep his promise to them in the long run. I think I can see how you could interpret that to mean that he would not remove a spiritual gift from a person but I don’t know that I can agree with that interpretation for that particular scripture. I hate to put God in a box like that by interpreting a scripture out of context. But I do sincerely appreciate your willingness to explain your point of view with me.

By: Adult content « Khanya

Adult content « Khanya — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 04:35:29 +0000

[...] Ryan Peter at Ryan Peter Blogs and Stuff with “The Foundation For Ministry and Leading“ [...]

By: stray

stray — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:42:38 +0000

Hey Gracerules,

Rom 11:29 does say that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. I think it makes sense to say that God does not take away a gift from anyone, as even we (though we are evil) don’t tell someone to give a gift back just because they may be using it in a way we don’t agree with. A gift belongs to someone once it is given.

We might, with our children, prevent them from using the gift but we wouldn’t take the gift away.

Likewise, I think that God may prevent someone like Bentley (if I may say so) from being able to use his gift but that doesn’t mean He would have taken the gift away.

God wants us to be faithful with the gifts he has given us, and there are many that have abused the gifts God has given them, or not used the gifts out of fear (the parable of the talents is an example).

When I say “launching” someone into ministry, I was really trying to emphasise my point on how hyped many of us have made this. We see it as ‘launching’ a ministry much the same as we see ‘launching’ a company. I was saying it with some tongue-in-cheek sarcasm, because that’s precisely how we do it – we ‘launch’ a guy into doing something when he isn’t ready for it. Because we want results, and we want it now. This is all wrong thinking, but a prevalent culture in the church that – if I may be so blunt – shows the general immaturity amongst a lot of the church.

I’m pretty convinced I’m very immature in a lot of things, too. So I’m not trying to stand in judgement over anyone (and I’m not standing in judgement of Bentley or those involved in his life).

By: gracerules

gracerules — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:18:39 +0000

Sorry – I hit the submit too soon – I also wanted to say that I am not sure that I think we should be “launching” anyone into ministry. I just feel very uncomfortable with things like this – maybe I am wrong but it feels like it is so hyped. Again – I am prepared to find that I am wrong. Help me see the other side.

By: gracerules

gracerules — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:15:28 +0000

This might be naive but when I read this I couldn’t help but wonder why God would allow the person to keep this gift. My mind tends to automatically go to the conclusion that the healing ministry must have been bogus. My thinking is probably flawed. Help me understand.

By: Watching Daddy Die (September Synchroblog on Maturity) | Headspace

Watching Daddy Die (September Synchroblog on Maturity) | Headspace — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:08:42 +0000

[...] at Khanya with “Adult Content” Ryan Peter at Ryan Peter Blogs and Stuff with “The Foundation For Ministry and Leading” Kai Schraml at Kaiblogy with “Mature Virtue” Nic Paton at Sound and Silence with [...]

By: reibwo

reibwo — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:04:43 +0000

My post on the synchroblog was a little late getting to the list. I’d appreciate it if you would add mine to the list. Many thanks!

http://kaischraml.wordpress.com/2008/09/17/mature-virtue/

Feel very free to remove this comment after you add it. Thanks again.