Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 9/2/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dear Fellow Minister. I was asked to serve as a Bishop to two women in the past and i accepted that. We could converse online and id try my best to give them spiritual advice. Its a real strain to do ministry online because most people will attack you and try to throw the Bible out the window. I havent been paid ANYTHING since its online and if i would ask for a donation they would tell me i was an evil person or a fake. But yeah for a five year perioud after i left catholicism i would give 200 dollars for spiritual matters the 200 was for the poor and the church 10 percent like the Bible says for the church. My minister only worked once a week and eventually we had a falling out because there were rumors about me being spread and i told them that at least i didnt steal from the poor cause they had eaten food i had taken for the poor on more then one occasion and only one family that i knew of could be considered struggling. I dont know if God wants me to be a minister anymore because of the stress i have to undergo i have alot of problems with stress and anxiety and just being taken seriously is a big pain. My past is not a perfect one. Like i said im disabled so i dont really go out much AT ALL. Ive had a run of bad luck lately i dont know why i decided to bless some water and then concecrate the grounds to God. I know that blessing water isnt always done by alot of ministers but i did it anyway. Like i said i dont know if God wants me to be a minister im not a very good person and sin mentally alot and have arguments with alot of people but i dont drink at all cause i hate the taste, i dont work on sundays cause im disabled, i dont have a family meaning i dont have a wife or children, i do have a sort of anger problem but its more of me being aggravated then angry. Any advice you could give a fellow minister if you even regard me as that would be appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi Raul,
  Sir, if you read 1 Timothy 3:1-7 there is a list of minimum qualifications for a pastor (bishop).  I honestly cannot know if the Lord has or is calling you or not, but if you carefully, one by one, read the qualifications and honestly answer them I think you will have your answer.  Having problems dealing with with stress, anxiety, anger and your physical problems certainly would put you under a great handicap in ministering to others.  A pastor as verse 2 says must be blameless which means in the public and churches eyes he is above reproach.   Some of the things you mention would bring that into question.
  I have an article at http://bible-truth.org/1Tim3-1-7.html which explains in detail what the ministry of a pastor is and explains each qualification.   I think you would find it helpful.

  God calls very few men to be pastors, but that does not mean those not called cannot serve the Lord faithfully in other ministries.   In fact it is not the job the Lord blesses,  but one's faithfulness in serving the Lord where ever one finds themselves.  "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."  (1 Corinthians 4:2)
  Thank you for writing and I hope I have helped or directed you to where you can find your answer.  May God direct you path.
  If you have further questions or comments please write.
Cooper Abrams

http:bible-truth.org
Romans 12:1-2

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QUESTION: Above reproach? I dont know if im above reproach my mouth has sinned and so has my mind. But like i said im disabled and dont go out much. But i guess your right and i shouldnt be a minister. Thanks i should not have thought myself worthy of such a calling.

Though there are many ministers who say they are above reproach i know that they are not and have commited sins even saint paul, and peter.

I know the qualifications and i fit most of them sept being above reproach yet i dont believe anyone could accuse me of a sin that nobody else commits. My sin torments me if i was a catholic id probably hurt myself I only wanted to serve God i dont know what He wants from me

Answer
Raul,
  Being above reproach does not mean the pastor has not sinned.  We all sin as 1 John 1:8-10 states.   Being above reproach has to do with what people think of us publicly.  In other words the pastor's public reputation should be good, which would be a reflection of his good character.   You cannot lead people if you are not a leader, or if people do not respect you and your testimony as a Christian.
  I did not say I thought you were not qualified.  What I said was that is your decision based on your honest examination of your life and testimony in light of 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
  I know you sincerely wish to serve the Lord. That is not the question.  Note that 1 Timothy 3:1 says "If a man desires the office of a bishop."   Many men love the Lord and think they can better serve as pastors.   That is the purpose of the qualifications is to help a man see for himself if he really is called.
  You said you should not have thought yourself worthy of such a calling.  Raul, no man is worthy....none.   Being worthy is not in the qualifications. We are all sinners.  But God does call some, but it is not based on the fact a man is worthy.  Lots of men would meet all the qualifications and still not be called.   If you honestly think you are called then follow the calling.  If you doubt you calling, then proceed cautiously.   It was almost five years after I knew the Lord called me that I actually began to serve Him as a pastor.   However, in those years I was faithfully doing all I could which included getting an Bible education.   Paul was about seven years studying before he began his ministry.   Education is vital as we cannot teach and preach what we have not learned.   
  If you past sins torment you then it is because you do not understand God's forgiveness.   As a believer all our sins are forgiven when we believe. The are put under the blood of Jesus Christ.  You are making a serious mistake worrying about past sins you cannot change.   God has forgive you so....move on.  If you are struggle with this how can you help some else with the same problem.  You need to get the victory of this.
  I have several article at http://bible-truth.org/apologeticspage.html#004 which deal with assurance of salvation.   Please read them and see what God says about this.  The solution to your problem is found in trusting and accepting what God has said.
  Again, I hope this helps.  I wish you well.  If you doubt your call...then be assured there are many other ministries that are important and God does have a will for you life.
  Cooper Abrams