Thierry and Antonia Richards
What have your experiences of 9:38 been?
First, as a student, I had the privilege of meeting up with a 9:38 ministry trainee weekly to study the Bible. After 4 years, in which my understanding of God’s Word and his purposes deepened, I attended the 9:38 Student Conference, which helped me think through the possibility and practicalities of different types of long term paid gospel ministry. After university, I worked as a 9:38 ministry trainee at St Ebbes church in Oxford for two years - which provided me with a real experience of the day-to-day life of church work. I particularly valued seeing from the inside what others on the church staff did, and came to appreciate much more the wide range of ministries the church ran.... continue reading
In this post, Mark interviews Danny Rurlander on why he sees ministry trainees as a valuable and important part of church life.
Why does your church take on ministry trainees every year?
Our biggest motivation for running our Ministry Training Scheme at Moorlands is to seek gospel growth by multiplying gospel ministers. Recruiting, training and sending out gospel workers seems to be a natural component of normal gospel ministry, and a basic activity of any healthy church. This is because, through the teaching of his word, God produces servants of that word who further spread the word and, by God’s grace bring others into his Kingdom. An organised Ministry Training scheme provides a degree of intentionality to something that ought to be happening all the time already.... continue reading
Edited by Vaughan Roberts and Tim Thornborough, this excellent book describes the nature of full-time Christian ministry. For anyone thinking about whether ministry is for them this is a must read.
If you, or someone you know, is seriously thinking about ministry you can get this eBook at an amazing 50% off! Simply use the code worker at checkout to redeem this offer. The offer is available in the UK and the US.
Offer expires 05/10/12.
Hannah Williams
I decided to do a ministry training scheme because I wanted to be able to do good children’s work. With a full time job and limited children’s workers in my church I felt like I didn’t have enough time, knowledge or experience to help out in church as much as I wanted to.
Now I’m a ministry trainee I’m involved in Sunday school, an after school club, toddler groups as well as being able to see and get involved in other ministries such as one-to-one work and small groups. I’m getting a lot out of my training: I get to meet wonderful people. I am able to spend the time I want and need in God’s Word to make me better equipped to do children’s work. I am getting the chance to see real life ministry daily; the ups and downs, the hard effort and also the joy that comes with it. 9:38 has been very useful.... continue reading
Yesterday morning's post reflected on how the victorious risen Lord Jesus Christ generously gives gifts to his people to use for building up his church.
Those gifts are discerned as they are used by his servants and so people trying to work out what God is calling them to do will want to take every opportunity to have a go at ministry and to get good feedback. Both of these are vital and as we do so our goal is to answer the question:
‘How can I, as the person that I am, with the gifts God has given me, best advance the glory of God?’... continue reading
Nick Algeo
I worked in banking for 5 years, and while it had its ups and downs, on balance it really was a great job. But I was constantly frustrated that the day job was getting in the way of being able to explain the gospel to unbelievers in depth, or serve in more areas of pastoral ministry.
Through the Workers Conference, the Workers for the Harvest Field book, and another audio CD, 9:38 helped me to think through the need for church leaders and planters in this country and beyond. 9:38 also informed and challenged me on the character requirements of anyone in Christian leadership.
Having thought through the issues at some length, I left banking and worked part-time for my church in Dagenham for a couple of years. I have now just begun my theological training for ordination in the Church of England.
Two questions I am often asked, both as Chairman of 9:38 and as a pastor of a local church:
And it wouldn’t surprise me if the reason you’re reading this post is because you’re desperately seeking an answer.
Without being flippant, I usually make two brief comments by way of introduction:... continue reading
The mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus one day with a special request. She thought she knew what kind of leader Jesus was going to be and thought her sons should occupy prominent positions of authority alongside him (preferably one on the right and one on the left).
As far as I know, the discussion was not about stage positioning, song choices, rehearsal times or whether the drums should play in the introduction. However, as Jesus responds, we begin to see exactly what his leadership will be like, and therefore what leadership should look like among all who claim to follow him (including church musicians):... continue reading
Praise the Lord.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who finds great delight in his commands.
His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.
He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.
The wicked man will see and be vexed,
he will gnash his teeth and waste away;
Psalm 112
The Christian life is not perfect. There will be times of sadness and stress. But a life lived for God is full of blessing. God hasn't promised to give us everything we want, but He'll make sure His people have everything they need. When we come to trust in Jesus, we're given His "righteousness" — being right with God. and so we're to grow in righteousness, becoming more like God.
