Training for Ministry
Eternal Walk Ministry is always looking for ways to learn and grow in our ability to minister to others.
We minister to people experiencing grief, addictions, depression, anger, and imprisonment. We also minister to those of different faiths and with justified false beliefs.
All of this requires training, which we receive from the American Association of Christian Counseling (AACC) via their correspondent and classroom courses at their yearly convention. Other sources of training include books, studies at church, conventions, and appropriate websites.
At the AACC convention, there is a large display of books on a variety of topics. We have met with many of the authors at their booths and received valuable information from those conversations. We have also purchased many of the books not only for our own training, but to pass out to those that we are ministering to. These books provide useful information for building needed skills for ministry, as well as everyday communication.
Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry
Eternal Walk Ministry recently attended a three-day training seminar hosted by the Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry (TPOM).
Many classes were held discussing how to bring God’s Word to those in prison. We discussed how to build hope, the truth of God’s forgiveness, and a new identity in Christ. Eternal Walk Ministry has years of experience in prison ministry, but there is always more to learn and pass on to others.
The convention was full of those who had years of experience in prison ministry. We were able to speak about many different situations each of us had encountered while ministering to those in prison. This type of conversation is invaluable. We were able to discuss how others manage their classes and how they have handled different situations, in order to better equip ourselves. This experience was one of the major advantages we encountered at this seminar.
The Need for Training in Ministry
Ministering to others is very complex because everyone is different. The more we understand, the more we can help.
Eternal Walk Ministry recently attended eight courses in counseling at the local junior college, and the skills learned have been invaluable. What we have learned will enable us to guide others toward a Godly solution without telling them what to do. A counseling mindset can actually take away defensive behavior because if someone says something offensive, you can respond calmly and with wisdom as a counselor.
We have learned from ministering to others that we always need to learn more. Eternal Walk Ministry will attend the AACC convention this October in Nashville, Tennessee. Scheduled are eight classes on different subjects such as addiction recovery, establishing relationships between parents and young adult children, drug free treatment for depression, and overcoming stress and worry.
There are many courses available to choose from and an almost infinite number of related topics to discuss. Ministering to others requires a lifetime of constant learning and growth.
Minister Through Spirit
We come to understand others and their situations using the skills we have learned, but most important is the skill of letting Christ work through us.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20)
The most important factor when ministering to others is a caring, compassionate heart. This comes from God who instills his love in our hearts so that we may see that people are extremely important to God and to us. Even if we have limited training, we always minister from God’s Word, bringing His love to others, revealing His new identity for them, that He is always with them, and that heaven is their home. It takes training, prayer, bible study, and fellowship with other Christians to enable us to minister through the Spirit.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)
Living in the Spirit is a lifelong growth process and is essential if we want to bring the power of God to those to whom we minister. The Spirit understands the person we are ministering to, and will bring scriptures to mind that the person needs to hear.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
The term bear fruit means pointing people to Christ- and we can do nothing without the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Training Plus the Spirit
It is so important in ministry to receive training in understanding others and their problems as well as ministering through the Spirit. Attending the AACC and the TPOM provides us with biblically-based training, from spiritually-guided courses and gifted speakers..
Eternal Walk Ministry ministers to others based on biblical training concerning problems people face. We also use biblical study and prayer to enable ministry through the Spirit. It is amazing how positive the ministry goes when we invite the Lord in through the Spirit, and He gives us a heart of compassion and Godly wisdom to help others.
Ministering to others through the Spirit with understanding is very rewarding. We get to witness the power of God changing people! Ministering to others is such a great gift to us because the more love we reflect to others, the more love God pours into our hearts, drawing us closer to Him.
In conclusion, seek training to minister to those around you and do so through the Holy Spirit. The rewards and satisfaction of bringing someone to Christ is better than any prize on earth because it comes from God who is pleased with us.