Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1356166
Are Your Ready For Ministry? A lesson from mentorship 2015 Christians who enter ministry are often caught off guard and soon discover that they are not ready for a ministry that takes them deep into the world of spiritual warfare. While they have indeed been "saved" and are serving the local church in various ways, they may not be mature enough or at a place in life where they are prepared for rigorous spiritual warfare. If you don't know about spiritual warfare or deny its existence, you do not belong in certain ministries. Motorcycle ministry is surrounded by a world of darkness including drugs, alcohol, profanity, violence, perversion and eminent danger. (It's not the same as serving as an usher in your church.) Understand and accept that there are forces ready and willing to derail you or bring drama and division into the ministry itself. Therefore, the Bible warns us, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1Peter 5:8) The devil wants to derail the Christian so that they might be rendered ineffective and destructive to the ministry itself. How exactly does he do that? • Dishonesty • Marital Failure • Anxiety Issues • Sexual Misconduct • Anger Management • Gossiping and Lying • Control Issues and Bullying • Critical, Negative Demeanor • Inability to Work with Others • Alcoholism and/or Drug Abuse • Inability to Work with Non-Christians • Poor Understanding of Christian Values Black Sheep HDFC has seen many of our members come and go over the last 21 years, some after only serving a few months. Each of them were Christians, all from local churches, but some were clearly not ready for the front lines. They had a testimony and a reference from a local pastor, but were wounded or weakened in some aspect of their emotions or character so as to be unable to function when thrust into a battle where we have a formative enemy. This is not to suggest that our members must be perfect, for we are ALL wounded warriors; sinners, saved only by the amazing grace of God through Jesus Christ. We must, however, be well enough, ready and prepared enough, to carry on the work of ministry without causing ongoing damage to the mission or one another. Black Sheep is not interested in making healthy, mature Christians "jump through hoops" before coming into membership. We do NOT prospect incoming members. There is nothing to be earned before joining this ministry other than an understanding and acceptance of who we are and what we do. There are, however, some practical things that have left potential members ill prepared for motorcycle ministry. 1. Do you have the time for motorcycle ministry? Tens of thousands of Americans have a motorcycle…and a small family, and a boat, and a couple of hobbies and a demanding job AND a significant role in their local congregation. In considering a motorcycle ministry, do you have four to five hours a week, two weekends a month and one week a year to devote to this ministry? 2. Do you have the finances for motorcycle ministry? Please do not misunderstand, one does not have to be rich to be a Black Sheep. Nobody is judged by the way they look or the motorcycle they ride, but let's face it, riding motorcycles can be expensive. After buying a nice Indian or Harley, the motorcycle still has to be maintained. Secondly, not all ministry happens locally. We are often called to be on a ride that is hundreds of miles away which means fuel, food and lodging. 3. Do you have the necessary support for a ministry such as this? We often say that our priorities are (a) God and family first, (b) the local church second and then (c) Black Sheep. Nevertheless, there's a reason we are called "black sheep." Sometimes the local church does not approve of one of their members spending time with "bikers." (Does your church support you?) Many spouses have expressed concern for the safety of their husband or wife who is now riding motorcycles on a regular basis. (Does your family support you?) While we do not need the approval of anyone but Christ to do what we do, we do need to consider what impact a ministry such as this one will have on our lives. Will you have the support you need from your church, spouse, family and friends to be in motorcycle ministry? 4. Are you prepared for the spiritual warfare that comes with ministry? We don't see a demon around every curve in the road or have an explanation for every bad thing that happens to Christians. We do know, however, that "spiritual warfare" is real and those in it are often in some sort of meaningful ministry. There IS a God who leads us and there IS a devil who opposes us. Ministry does not make the struggle easier. Sometimes, it makes things worse – if we are doing our job right! We must, therefore, do whatever we can to protect and prepare ourselves for the battle, including… ü Maintaining a healthy marriage and family environment ü Prioritizing regular times of prayer and scripture reading ü Regular attendance and fellowship in a local church ü Having an accountability partner(s) who knows our weaknesses. Our ministry suffers when things are not right at home. Our ministry suffers when our members are not men and woman of