THE MAKING OF A MASTER CRAFTSMAN By Stephen Nyirongo, Man of God Once I attended a minister’s conference. During one of the workshops, a speaker introduced his topic as ‘The tricks of the trade’. Apparently, he was going to speak about quick and easy ways to have a successful ministry. As he began to share his quick tricks, I could not help but feel I was being cheated and told what only a veneer of seemingly helpful tips was. I suddenly realised I did not want that type of ministry or to be a person with just a bit of knowledge and a little bit of skill. Instead, I wanted to really learn the whole truth of what vocational ministry is all about. I wanted to be an expert. It can be tempting sometimes to try to shortcut on the pathway of true personal development and fruitful growth. Never is this true than in following the footsteps of Jesus the Word of God. We are stewards of God’s grace and have been called to be faithful shepherds over God’s people. So it is of vital importance that we are diligent, faithful and obedient in our preparation, learning and doing. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1Tim 4:12-16). This Scripture is one everyone worth their salt should know off by heart and keep as fuel of the mind. It provides us with a good check-up list to see how we are doing as stewards of the manifold grace of God. In this discussion, we will look at some of the simple and yet profound truths presented in 2Timothy 2:15.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 06:10:09 +0000
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