Chapter 9: God Is Working in Us While He Works Through Us

This principle changes the way we interpret ministry. We naturally focus upon the assignment. God also focuses upon the servant performing the assignment. We are concerned about completing the work. God is concerned about what the work is producing inside of us while we complete it.

Therefore,

• The process matters.
• The waiting matters.
• The dependency matters.
• The moments when we do not know where the next resource will come from matters.
• The necessity of prayer matters.
• The requirement to trust God when there is no visible answer matters. All of these things are working something in the minister.

1. They produce humility.
2. They expose self-reliance.
3. They develop patience.
4. They require faith.
5. They teach us the character of God.
6. They continually remind us that we are servants rather than owners. Dependency upon God is not a temporary stage that mature ministers eventually outgrow. We never graduate from dependence upon God. The greater the assignment, the more essential that dependence becomes.

God is working in us at the same time He is working through us, and the minister must at all times be conscious of the fact that the work is being done by God.

Character Before Elevation

1 Timothy 3:6

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Now let us examine another critical issue in ministry: the elevation of ministers. There can be a tremendous desire to be used. A person may believe he has a calling, or he may simply desire a title.

He may believe he possesses a prophetic gift, or he may want an opportunity to preach, lead, pray for people, lay hands upon others, or operate publicly in ministry.

But calling and desire do not eliminate the necessity of character. If God has truly anointed someone, leadership should not stand in the way of that person’s ministry.

But neither should leadership elevate a person whose character has not matured sufficiently to sustain the position.

The objective is not to suppress ministry. The objective is to protect the individual, the people, and the integrity of God’s work.

The Question Is Not Merely, “Are You Gifted?”

• A minister may possess ability and still lack maturity.
• A person may be impressive and still lack character.
• A person may speak confidently and still be spiritually unreliable.
• A person may sincerely believe he has heard from God and still need to be tested. Therefore, the question cannot merely be: Can this person minister? We must also ask: Can this person’s character sustain the responsibility of ministry?

The scripture specifically warns against elevating a novice. A position in ministry is not simply an opportunity to exercise a gift. It carries responsibility for souls.