Acts 29 Boot Camp and Me
I’ve decided to attend the Acts 29 Seattle boot camp which is next Monday and Tuesday. Attending a boot camp is “required for Acts 29 applicants, but is open to anyone” and is specifically designed I believe for those who are called to plant churches. I don’t sense that specific calling right now, but I have strongly desired to be an Elder for quite some time.
In the following MP3 Tim Keller gives some practical advice on discerning a call. He speaks of three questions that he uses in helping others evaluate a call:
- Do you have a passion for it?
- Do those around you affirm this?
- Is there an opportunity?
I can say yes to the first two and God may be opening up the third one.
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One of my biggest fears is becoming a Elder when not qualified to do so. What specifically comes to mind on this is 1 Timothy where Paul says that a pastor must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
I feel weak in this area with regards to self-discipline with finances, husbandry and fathering. I have certainly seen growth and I do expect more, but I am not yet personally satisfied that the level they are at is, well, emulatable. That is, that I can’t in good conscience point to myself and tell others “like this!”
Now I know what some of you may be thinking. “Point to Jesus Dwayne! Duh!” And that of course is true and is a pastors (and any Christians) main charge, but I believe that is exactly what I am saying. The way that I lead my life can point towards Him well or . . . not.
What do you think about this?
March 4th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Dwayne.
To be honest, if you ever feel “personally satisfied” about your sanctification, there is probably a need of repentance of pride.
I know this is a little “cliche” to say, but usually we are very hard on ourselves, if we are honest, with our personal walk with Christ.
I would go to some guys that you are close to, who will actually tell you the truth, to get their insights on places they feel like you can grow and places where they learn a lot from your life.
I have done this people before, and it is humbling, eye opening and very much caused me to look more to Jesus. But, it also aided me in making sure that I know where the devil can attack me.
But know that you will always feel weak in the areas you mentioned, because the closer you get to Christ the more your sin will be before you.
Just some thoughts.
March 4th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I know myself I don’t qualify as an elder as I am a recent convert. God saved me about 2 years ago.
But instead of being disappointed at the time of reading 1 Timothy 3:6, I instead called my wife-to-be with the good news. I was reaffirmed that God is good and it is God alone that works in me for His will and His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). As weird as this might be, 1 Timothy 3:6 is confirmation on God’s calling upon my life. It was nothing of my own power, my own goodness, my own strength and my own intelligence. It was all God. All of it. None me. Just Him.
For that, I love Him so.
March 4th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Seth has a good point. Extending that to the husband/father issue, I think it would be good to ask your spouse and children. If the anyone in the family says, “There’s no way! I barely get enough of you as things are now, without giving you away to others!” that’s a pretty clear sign that the ministry God has for you at the moment is focusing on your family.