How to become a pastor ?
Hello there,
my name is Tony, I live in London England; I saw your site on the internet
and I was wondering if you could help me.
D.Lim:
Hello and peace, in Christ
I lived in England too.
Tony:
All my life I have dreamt of becoming a pastor, I have always felt that God
was calling me to his work. Now, I am growing closer to God than I ever
could have imagined and as I do this, the feeling that I want to serve him
grows too.
D.Lim:
Why be a pastor? Those who received more will be required more. Are you willing to give abundantly for the Lord, His flock, the Church/the bride, the kingdom of God?
If so, join the club!
One can serve the Lord in many capacity:
One can be a evangelist, a scholar, a teacher, a deacon/steward, a care-taker, a speaker, a provider. . . .so many position.
Why be a pastor? You think it is great to serve and to give in the highest position one can aspire?
Then be with Christ, and in Christ. For it is God's desire that He and His sons are one, in love and in truth.
Ready for that?
If so, join the club!
Tony:
But I know nothing about how someone actually becomes a pastor, so I was
wondering if you could help me? Is there anything that you would advise me
to do?
D.Lim:
Are you in a church or in a denomination at present?
Do you want to be independent to the systems/bureaucracy?
My advice is for you to give/surrender yourself to God. Pray to Him that you want to let Him take charge of all of you, trusting in His love and truth.
Fill yourself with the Word of God daily, and praying to Him, after making this committment before the physical and spiritual world.
Then apply for membership with a loving biblical Christian Church, for it is meet and right to fellowship with the brethren. Help them to come close to God and receive their help for ones advancment.
Apply for ordination to be a minister of Christ according to the Bible.
This is easily done via internet.
You may seek and find these ordination ministries and Christian church/ministries via internet, searching under the topic of ordination.
The World Christianship Ministries provides excellent beginner package.
I would also recommend St. Luke Evangelical Christian Ministries, as it is a church, running Theological courses, and offering on-going support. I am not saying it is perfect. It is a place to practice love and advance the truth, and the kingdom of God.
These routes of obtaining Theological education via mail/correspondence is the cheapest way, also with the greatest freedom(for personal faith/belief).
One may serve the Lord from day one.
Be creative, and imaginative. Work hard.
A leader is great by his deeds of serving others. There will be countless occasion of abuse, scorn, hurt, deception, false-brethren, hunger, rejection. yet I am convinced that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ.
If Christ/God is for us, who can be against us? ?
Tony:
I understand that I would really need to take a theology degree, is this
correct?
D.Lim:
Theological degrees are popular these days, but they are just titles. The reality is Christ. Let the fruits of the Spirit one bears speak of qualification.
The need of multi-degrees speaks of the danger and difficulties in serving the Lord, one has to muster all one has. To love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your strength, all your mind, all your everything. And then, love your neighbours(according to God) as yourselves(according to God).
You may study for some degree via some internet churches/ministries/schools, such as St. Luke Evangelical School of Biblical Studies. This is the cheapest way, with the least disturbance.
Put on the armour of God, so that one can stand against Satan and prevail. Christ is the reality; degrees are not.
Tony:
What other advise would you give to someone who is hoping to become
a pastor?
D.Lim:
Seek first the kingdom of God, and its righteousness.
Work hard for righteousness. Do not fear in the valley of death and darkness; for the morning star is ready to reveal Himself at the end time. He is able to finish the work He started.
Do the work of a evangelist. Preach hard. Speak of the Word daily. Wear the emblem of Christ, which is our Christian virtues and services.
The titles of minister and doctor are tools for serving the Lord. They are not the ends of ones achievement. Never imagine great leaders go around with paper qualification. They stand behind Christ. It is God who provides.(Yehovah Yireh)
Tony:
I do hope that you can help me in some way, I very much value the word of men
of God.
D.Lim:
Do follow Christ. Think big - for the Lord is full of grace, looking for all opportunities to bless His children.
Perfect love casts out fear.
Praise Him all day long.
You may also fellowship with the Christian group at Orange Street Congregational Church(behind the national Gallery), run by DV Underwood and Mark. (Thursday evenings? and Sunday evenings)
and the Church of God in London (Chinese Group at South Bank) for Bible studies and fellowship. You will find good supply of literature from these Christian people.
You may also like to deliver Gospel tracts everywhere, including inside telephone kios, and preach at the Hyde Park.(its good exercise, practice) Speak of your testimony, your conversion, how you have encountered Christ; how He lives in you.
Tony:
I am sorry to have bothered you with my questions, but I would be
very greatful for any advice.
Thank you for your time.
D.Lim:
I pray that you are grateful with the Lord, and what He has planned for you. Persevere in faithfullness, knowing that He is indeed faithful and gracious.
See you sometime. So much work for so little time.
Tony Norton
UltimateProphecy@aol.com
D.Lim:
May your heart be Godward, dwelling in Christ Jesus, all days of your life. May His truth and happiness fill you. May your cup of blessings overflow.
Thankyou very very much for your help, it is deeply appreciated.
I completely agree with the things that you were saying. I am a member of an
Anglican church. I am deeply comitted to Christ, he is my life and all I
want to do is serve him. I pray hard and seek the truth hard. I read my
bible and study the word of God. All I want to do is serve him. I spend
alot of time seeking him and i have met him in an amazing way; all that I am
worrying about is the actual paper work. Actually gaining the necessary to
be ordaned. (I hope that is spelt right).
I feel very deeply that a degree is not faith, that the true requirements of
a pastor come from God and not paper work. But I am prepared to conform or
do whatever is necessary to serve the Lord Jesus.
Once again, thank you for your time. I shall follow up your advice.
Thanks
Tony
I, Rev. David C S Lim, 林志誠 牧師, can be reached by internet 也在互聯网﹕
Preacher.html
meshiah
e-mail 電郵 
jesussaves91@hotmail.com
A Life changing show
耶穌基督的救恩將人從根本而終極的惡中救出來，藉著救主，死亡不再是終極的惡，它已被置於生命的力量之下。
完全的善是由耶穌而來。
在天上和地下只有耶穌基督的救恩是唯一使人的罪得赦及與神和好的途徑。