Calvary Assemblies of God

It's not that my ordination was not a meaningful experience this Tuesday, it's just that a lot of the feelings were different because I've been in ministry for 27 years. It's not that the service was directed to the young and inexperienced, it's just that I've been there, and done that. It's not that I don't appreciate this new level of recognition, it's just that after this many years of ministry, recognition is not a goal in my life.

However, this experience is very important to me. I want to the the best Pastor I can be for the people of my church. I want them to be proud of the leadership Calvary provides in our congregation and in our community. I want to stay current and be productive, bearing fruit even into my old age. To do this, training is important. I feel the reason I have continued to progress from very humble beginnings is because I took advantage to the opportunities offered to me.

When I first came into the Assemblies of God, they told me I had to attend certain events. The first being our Annual District Council. The second, our Area Ministry Group meetings. The third is the October Ministers Conference. I made the commitment then and there that I would not miss a one, and I never have. When the District office offered Susan and I the opportunity to take part in the Church Life Cohort through sponsorship, we took it. Any place and any time they have offered me an opportunity to advance my education and training, I took it, believing God was equipping me to stay current and remain productive.

Even now, on the heels of my ordination, Susan and I have already scheduled another leadership training opportunity. In June we will attend the Church Leadership Training Seminar at Mount Hope Church in Lansing, Michigan with Bishop Dave Williams. Education and training do not stop if you want to remain on top. We are delighted that Calvary is getting a hold of this understanding.

For too many years and with too many people, we have fought the misconception that you can just trust God and he will show you how. God's plan and God's design is for us to teach and train one another for ministry. Our District has embraced this knowledge and started the Indiana School of Ministry (ISOM). This program, which provides the certification needed for General Council licensing, is a God send for our churches in Indiana. Again, when the District provided the opportunity for me, I took it.

Our church has already produced one certified minister through ISOM. When Michael Burk was given the opportunity, he took it also. He was recognized this year at District Council as one of our newest Assemblies of God Certified Ministers. He and his family should be proud of his accomplishment. We also now have three more members of our church in ISOM, Diana Cornell, Christina Welch and my wife, Susan Jenkins. They are taking this opportunity seriously. They have all completed their first semester with straight A's. We should be proud of them too, because they are setting the bar for leadership at Calvary.

Does everyone need to further their education to be used of God? No, but their willingness to make the most of every opportunity speaks volumes about their humble spirit and ready mind to learn and advance. We need to continue to find people to invest in. These are people who are willing to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to them. These are people who will take what you give them and run with it.

For years people tried to get me to go into computer consulting for businesses, and I did it some. I have to admit, the pay was good, but I couldn't handle the people's attitudes. I would be called in to train people on the simplest things. Over time I would first ask the managers, "Before I come to your site, have your people read the manuals and took the online tutorials?" The answer would always be, "No." Then how am I going to teach people who have already shown their unwillingness to learn?

2012 Indiana District Ordination Class and the District Presbytery

Some people have actual mental handicaps that prevent them from processing information and it makes it difficult for them to learn. More often though, it's a spiritual condition of pride that makes them unwilling to take advantage of the opportunities God gives them. They simply want others to do it for them. Other people cannot learn for you. You must do it yourself.

I teach a lot about spiritual disciplines, all in an effort to cause people to rise up and study the Word of God and devote themselves to prayer. However, it shows that if they don't want to learn new things, they won't learn spiritual disciplines either. Much of our passiveness when it comes to learning today is based on our addiction to entertainment — if it's not fun, we don't want to do it. We must recognize this plague. It's not like the opportunities are not available for those who want it. It's just that most people will not take advantage of the opportunities they are offered if they are difficult.

How did I get from the subject of ordination to discipleship? Ordination in my life came about by just taking advantage of the opportunities presented to me. The Lord spoke to me once to quit complaining about what I didn't have and start making the most of what I did have. Look at your life. Study the avenues you have available to you. Then do something! Anything! Do not waste the remaining years you have. Invest in training and equipping yourself to be a productive servant of the Lord. As you step through one door of opportunity, he will present you with another. The future does not matter until you take advantage of today.

Are you really investing yourself in the Word? Are your committed to advance your prayer life? Are you taking advantage of what your church offers? The time is short. Opportunities are offered for a limited time only. Ephesians 5:15-17 says “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” We must position ourselves in life so that we will not be overlooked when God is seeking to provide opportunities.

The stage is set. With ordination behind me, I will now press forward for additional training and seek to increase my ability to serve the Lord in a worthy manner. Our church is still in need of those who will rise up and lead. I don't mean those who want a title or position (there are always plenty of them), but those who will train and equip themselves to be good stewards of the things of God. This means "making the most of every opportunity."

Ordination was exciting, but to me, it's just a doorway to the next level — more work, more training, more challenges, and more battles to win. I suppose the greatest thing I noticed about ordination is that I'm not alone. To have Susan beside me, my sons Phillip and Stephen there, my good friends Sonny and Sharon to go with us, and to look out and see representatives from Calvary there to cheer me on (Diana, Donna, and Sadie), not only made me feel like I accomplished something, it made me feel loved. There are numerous other examples that I fail to share. Thank you, District. Thank you, Pastor Holdeman. Thank you, Ministry Group. Thank you, family. Thank you, ISOM. The list goes on, but the ultimate thanks goes to the Lord. He has been gracious and merciful to look upon his servant with favor.

Thanks also to all those who have invested in me over the years. Watch what we do here at Calvary now!