Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 2/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: I knew by the age of 9 that I had a special calling.  By age 13 I recieved a ministers license from an interdenominational church.  I left that church and joined the Church of God in Christ, and in 1972 I was licensed again under the Church of God in Christ.  In 1975 I joined the Baptist Church.  My reputation as a minister was well known, but because of my drug histroy, the pastor refused to acknowledge my calling in our church, but would allow me to practice my ministry in other churchs.  He told me that he had to pray about it.  I stayed at that church for 12 years before I joined another church that I had been fellowshiping with, as a minister for twenty years prior to my joing.  BEFORE I joined my present church I talked to the pastor about my ministry, and was led to believe that my ministry would be accepted.  He asked me if I had license and I told him that I had two, but neither were by a Baptist minister. He asked me to produce proof that I was licensed.  It has been 42 years since I was licensed.  All the Elders of my appointment are dead and the church was destroyed by fire several years ago.  There is no physical record, however everyone knew of my ministry in the Church, and through out the city.  My present pastor told me two weeks ago that since I did not have a Baptist license that I could no longer be called "Rev" and that I could no longer sat in the pulpit.  He also told me that I could not wear my collar or preach, or sit in the pulpit of any other church, and that he had to hear my "trial" sermon.  I have always been obidient to the pastor.  I came from a long line of pastors in my family, including my father and both grandfathers  I can't undue 42 years of ministry, and I don't want to explain to my other minister associates that I can no longer sit in ther pulpit or preach.  My pastor has only been the pastor for 3 years.  He was voted in after his father in law passed.  I believe in his ministry and I know that with over 40 years in the ministry that I may  be able to be a help.  None of my associates are aware of any Baptist standard that states that you must have a license from a Baptist church to be reconized as a minister in the Baptist church, especially if you were licensed in another denomination.  Please help me as I now am struggling with this situation.  I am struggling with myself for even allowing someone to take away over 40 years of my ministry and he doesn't have 10.


ANSWER: Bro Toniey,

Sorry to be so long in getting back with you. I want you to know that I will be praying for you and your ministry. KNow that God is not through with you. Know that man did not call you into the ministry, God did. And if God called you then His callings are "...without repentance..."

But to be honest with you Brother, I'm not sure what your question is. Perhaps you could get back with me and be a bit more specific.

Thanks, and be encouraged!

Elder Greg Madden



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Elder Madden:  Can my pastor put me out of the pulpit and keep me from preaching at other churches because I don't have a license from a Baptist Minister?  I  was licensed in 1972 in the Church of God in Christ.  No one that I have asked knows anything about such actions.

ANSWER: Bro Toniey,

I'm sure if your pastor has influence with other pastors he may be able to do this, yes. I'm not saying I agree, but it is a possibility.

My suggestion is to pray, wait on God to open doors of opportunity to minister, and be faithful to grow where you are planted. God will give you a time to minister.

God bless.

Elder Greg Madden

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I don't mean to be a nuisance, but my pastor has only been a pastor for almost three years.  I have been a minister for over 40.  No other pastor that I have talked with ever heard of such actions taken unless there was a violation or an act done that would bring reproach on the church.  I guess the easy way to handle this is just to leave the church and join one that has accepted my ministry.  I love my church, and I love my pastor.  He is very young in the ministry.  I know that he is growing.  But I have to take a stand to obey him, or obey God.  Actually, I don't have a choice in the matter.  God will work out our relationship in time, but I must do the work of Him who sent me, and I can't let man detour me.  I think that this may be a trick of the enemy but it wont work for me.  I am really concerned about him, having to usurp the Will of God in my life, as witnessed by so many of his pastor friends.  Please continue to pray for my pastor and me.  I will try to tell him how I feel.  If he doesn't accept it, then I know what I must do, as painful as it will be to me and the members who enjoys my music ministry.

Answer
Bro Toniey,

You are correct. You choices are to leave the church and pray that the Lord would lead you to another one with a pastor with will more readably use you. Or, you can stay where God has planted you, and wait for the Lord to speak to your pastor, and for the opportunity to open up for you to minister. From what I have read from you, it is in my spirit that you should follow the second choice. God is faithful my brother! He would not have called you for no purpose. So hold on and seek the Lord. Wait for His direction. Know this my friend, God will make room for your gift...

Prov. 18:16
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

God bless,

Elder Greg Madden