PREPARING TO SERVE

Just as pre-school, high school and college prepares one to be an effective and productive member of society, so will the auxiliaries or “love units” teach and prepare you how to effectively and skillfully work in the lives of people. The Father does not send unskilled laborers to work in His vineyard. We must be properly trained by the Holy Spirit to work ministry. Therefore, it is the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to instruct us in the heart and mind of the Father not just from the pulpit, but also in smaller group settings (auxiliaries).

To follow are just some of the benefits and invaluable knowledge you will receive as a functioning member of the PSA board:

1. You will learn how to be a team player and be considerate of your fellow board members. You will learn servitude as you are encouraged to consider what is best for the board and not just yourself. You will learn to be unselfish in your thinking and actions as you become more aware of the needs of those around you.

2. You will learn to value the opinions, thoughts and ideas of your fellow PSAs. Just as you have an opinion so do others. You will also learn how to remain humble when the ideas, opinions or suggestions of others are accepted over yours, and that it is more important that the purpose of God prevail and not your suggestion.

3. You will also discover how to work out conflicts or disagreements peacefully as you learn to respect the individuality of each board member. You will also learn not to fear disagreement or confrontation because, as you will discover, the Word of God always has a solution.

4. You will learn how to respect authority and to support your leader with a pure heart, even when you disagree with a decision they make or with a course of action they may take.

5. As you spend time with your fellow board members and the congregation, you will begin to see their mindsets, dispositions and struggles which should cause you to see the Body of Christ’s need for the gifts that God has placed within you. You will discover your worth as a son of God as you allow yourself to be touched with the infirmities of others.

6. The auxiliaries will teach you to be faithful and to take ministry serious. Just as you depend on your fellow board members they, too, depend on your active participation in group functions. The entire board is affected when a member is constantly late or absent. As you discern the needs of your fellow PSAs it should prompt you to be present, as much as possible, at meetings, shut-ins, prayer sessions and scheduled ministry.

7. Your pursuit of holiness will also be strengthened. You will see that you are not alone in your tests and trials and will gain strength to go through yours as you watch your fellow PSAs walk righteously through their tests and trials. You will be encouraged to keep your focus on ministry and not your own personal circumstances.

8. You will become more aware of your dependency on God to effectively work ministry. We can do nothing of ourselves. It is God who must work ministry through us. You will learn to trust God’s guidance and place your confidence in His ability to instruct and mature the Body of Christ.

9. You will also learn how to walk in the unity of the Spirit and how to work as a board with one heart and mind.

God’s purpose for all mankind is that we be conformed into the image of Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit on our behalf, here on earth, is to prepare us to be in right standing with God on judgment day. We must not lose sight of this reality. One day we all must stand before God and give an account for our lives. This must be our focus as we perform our responsibilities as a Pastoral Service Aide. This Training Manual is designed to introduce and equip you to become one of the functioning members of this auxiliary as well as train you in ministry and groom you in the mind of a servant.