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N IG ER IA

WORD OF FAITH BIBLE INSTITUTE


LAGOS

PRINCIPLES
OF
MINISTRY
(POM)

BASIC CERTIFICATE COURSE

“And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast
received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Col. 4:17
Copyright © by Word of Faith Bible Institute
38, Raji Oba Street, Iyana Ipaja,
P. O. Box 3459, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
All Rights Reserved.No portion of this Outline may be used without the written permission of the Institute

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REFERENCES
1. Towards Excellence in Life and Ministry. Dr. David 0. Oyedepo.
2. Exploits in Ministry Dr. David Oyedepo
3. Seven Steps to Excellence in Ministry Kenneth Copeland
4. Practical suggestions for successful Ministry. Dr. Fred K.C Price.
5. Understanding Divine Direction Dr. David Oyedepo
6. How to be Lead by the Spirit of the Lord Kenneth E. Hagin
7. The Potential Principle. Edwin Louis Cole.
8. Understanding Vision Dr. David Oyedepo

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COURSE OBJECTIVES
 To familiarise the students with the fundamentals of Ministry.
 To help students acquire the details on how to start a ministry and run
the ministry.
 To equip the students to deal with oppositions in the process of
running the ministry, and
 To possess the adequate steps to be taken to enjoy growth in ministry

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
REFERENCES 2
COURSE OBJECTIVES 3
LECTURE ONE
Lesson One Introduction 5
Lesson Two Call To Ministry
6
Lesson Three The Foundation For Ministry 9
Lesson Four The Place Of Vision And Dreams
11
Lesson Five Faith 14

LECTURE TWO
Lesson Six Wisdom 15
Lesson Seven Diligence 16
Lesson Eight Discipline 17
Lesson Nine Focus And Zeal 21
Lesson Ten Relationship 23

LECTURE THREE
Lesson Eleven Provision For Ministry 24
Lesson Twelve The Essence Of Power (Unction) For Ministry 27
Lesson Thirteen Confidence And Integrity 29
Lesson FourteenProblem / Crisis Handling 30
Lesson Fifteen Organisational / Administration 31

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LECTURE ONE
LESSON ONE

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITIONS:
a) PRINCIPLES:
 The guiding factors around an issue or the ways to get a thing done.
 Guiding rule or fundamental truth that makes something effective.
 Different rules to arrive at different results.
Nothing functions without a principle.
Col. 4:17 ..say to Archippus that he take heed to the Ministry that he has
received from the Lord that the fulfil it.
It is one thing to receive a Ministry from the Lord and another thing to
fulfil it. One has to follow the principles or understanding the fundamental
controls to its fulfilment.
b) What is a MINISTRY?
This is the placement of a man by God to fulfil the plan of God for him on
earth. In essence, it is a stewardship or tool for Divine accomplishment. It
is a human. gift by God with a commission both to the body of Christ and
the world at large. Ministry is working divine plans.
c) CONTENT:
Ministry is not a struggle or a technique or a pack of codes. Rather it is like
a package of Divine operations in a man and unveiled stage by stage and
from time to time. The New testament contains a lot of Ministries among
others (Eph. 4:11-13; Rom. 12:4-8). They are put into individuals by the
Holy Ghost (I Cor. 12:4-7, 11). And through these individuals these
operations flow into the body of Christ and the world at large.
d) THE NATURE OF MINISTRY
Every form of Ministry you can think of is an extension of Jesus' Ministry.
Jesus laid the foundation of Ministry and we are called to build upon the
foundation. We cannot understand the nature of ministry except we
understand the Ministry and activities of Jesus. Invariably, the study of
Ministry is the study of
Jesus' life and activities.

What did Jesus stand for? Acts 10: 38


Ministry is a business of going about with the sole purpose of doing good.

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From Lk. 4:18 &19 the purpose of Ministry is four - fold
 PREACH
 HEAL
 DELIVER
 RECOVER
In Matt. 10 :7 & 8 Jesus charged his Disciples to do likewise.
To know a true or genuine Ministry find out whether:
a) They preach the Gospel or merely tell stories;
b) They Heal the sick or explain miracles away;
c) They deliver or they themselves need deliverance;
d) They recover and restore or impoverish people.

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LESSON TWO

CALL TO MINISTRY
In this lesson, we shall examine:
1. How do you know your calling ?
2. How do you understand your calling ?
Rom. 1:1 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,
separated unto the Gospel of God.”
There are seeds to Divine call in believers which need to germinate, grow
and mature into fruition. Every one in the body of Christ has a duty to
perform.
A discovery of the individual function is called a 'VISION'. This is
knowing where you belong and what to accomplish in His body.
Adherence to this function is your Ministry. A call into the Ministry is the
absolute prerogative of God (Heb.5:1,4, Jer. 23:21).

HOW TO KNOW YOUR CALLING


1. Direct voice of God: Ex. 3:1-4, Acts 9:1-6
2. Calling on God: Jer. 33:3; 1 Chron. 4: 10 very often it is preceded
by a strong desire.
3. By vision: Acts 22:17-21
4. Holy Spirit guidance: John 16:13
5. Through the Word: Ps. 119:105 The Word is a lamp and a light.
If God has a job for you, He owes you a responsibility of showing and
teaching you what you should be.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CALL:


"All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
THE CALLED according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28).
"Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling." (Heb. 3:1)

Every one born of the Spirit has a Ministry, there is a call of God on your life
and you are not where you are by accident. You are right now occupying a
particular stage in God's calling on your life. Never see your calling as
inferior, everyone needs each other and it is God who places His men in
strategic positions. The major task is - what am I designed for? No matter
what it is, God's strength brings the victory - and this strength is only
available in God's direction (Acts 9:19-31, Acts 11:19-26).
For those called according to God's purpose, even circumstances reveal the
commission in their lives. Once your call is known, there is need to prove it
beyond doubt ( 2 Tim. 4:5; Judges 6:36-40). He sends strength with the

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calling. Once you start struggling in the flesh - check your calling. What
were you designed to be?
WHY ARE YOU IN MINISTRY?
This is a fundamental question that must be answered by every individual
who claims to have the call of God upon his life.
Essentially, Ministry is service and success in Ministry begins with service.
Ministry should not be seen as a means of livelihood i.e your can to Ministry
should be because you want others to live, not because you want to get a
living -- you don't live on others, but living for others.
Going into Ministry is signing into a life - time of service.

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LESSON THREE

THE FOUNDATION FOR MINISTRY


Ministry can likened to a ladder with twelve rungs, which serves as the
access or pass way to Excellence. Before you start climbing your ladder,
you must first organise for a solid and an appropriate base; else you and
your ladder will find yourselves on the floor soonest.
A ladder on a very slippery ground will spell doom for the climber when he
eventually starts climbing.
The foundation for the ladder of Excellence in Ministry is righteousness.
(Isa. 52:11; 2 Tim. 2:19; Ps. 11:3; 2 cor.4:1)
The foundation of righteousness is irreplaceable * Nothing can substitute
for it.
The Lord is coming for a church that is without spot , wrinkle, blemish, etc.
(Eph. 5:26-27). Holiness must be your condition with perfection as your
goal. The cleaner the vessel, the brighter the glory. The man God will
work with is the man who walks like God. In I Thess. 2: 1 0, the Apostle
Paul could testify of how holy and unblameable we behaved ourselves
among you.

THE SCOPE OF MINISTRY:


God gives the vision, the Minister sets the scope. From God's end there is
no limit to any ones Ministry, it is up to the individual to set the limits to
his speed and the vastness of the work. As far as your eyes can see, that
have I given you. Gen. 13:14-18. When God gives one a Ministry, He
comes for periodic checks, what He sees determines whether He continues
with you or not, He is constantly expecting fruits (Isa 5:1) therefore keep
your vision aglow and don't have a sense of accomplishment till you enter
into glory. It is how much impact you make that matters.
As you climb up the ladder, you must constantly ensure and re-assure
yourself that the foundation is enforced, so you are sure you are climbing
correctly.
The higher you climb, the more the discipline you impose on your life.
“What you don't renounce may relief you.”

LOCATE THE KEYS:


There are principles that give you access to God's treasures. This is a key
or button that controls the release of everything you require from God in

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this world. If you don't have the precise key to a situation, you will be
under its yoke.
There are keys to: Answered Prayer, Success, Prosperity, Health, etc.
Success is at the bottom of the ladder. Once the beginning is faulty, the end
will be faulty.

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LESSON FOUR

THE PLACE OF VISIONS AND DREAMS


The first rung in the ladder of Excellence in Ministry lies in locating the
correct vision for your life. There is a remarkable difference between
interest and calling. You have a place, and it is your duty to locate it. You
don't create vision or purpose, you just discover it. The one who created
you created you for a purpose ; there is a primary purpose and a secondary
purpose. Until you are inside your real purpose for living, you don't find
fulfilment in whatever else you do. Therefore you need to strive to fulfil
your primary purpose in life. Check what you are doing and what you
think you should be doing. If you operate where you are not called, you
will end up damaging your own fife.

"And it shall come to pass afterwards that I will pour out my spirit upon all
flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall
dream dreams. Your young men shall see visions." (Joel 2:28).

Visions and dreams constitute a spiritual language by which God releases


insight into His plans to and for an individual. A vision is impotent without
action. just as faith without works is dead, a vision without action is dead.

An individual who discovers God's plan for his life is said to have a vision.
Standing in the function - plan is his Ministry. The end time army of God
(Joel 2: 1 -1 1) is made up of specialists. They know their positions and
their tasks.

What you want to be is your ambition. What you were designed to be by


God is your vision. Your highest ambition in life cannot measure up to
where your vision will take you. Jer. 29:11 once you locate God's plan for
your fife, enquire about the details. Life is by appointment not by
happenstance.

FOUR OUESTIONS ON WHICH VISION FOR MINISTRY


REVOLVES

1) The WHAT? * What am I called to do or preach? Ish. 40:6. You need


to clarify the task i.e what you are called to do. An unidentified task is

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an unaccomplishable task. Your progress can only be measured when
you know what to do.

2)The WHERE? * The geographical location for Ministry - Jonah 1:1-6;


Acts 21:27-31; 22:17- 21 . Location plays a major role in determining
success in Ministry. People are assigned to places not everywhere. It
might be that you are sent to a particular audience. Genuine vision can
suffer frustration when wrongly located. So be at the right place at the right
time.

3) The WHEN? When am I to start * Eccl.3:1; - Every vision has a time


tag attached to it * The vision is always for an appointed time (Hab.
2:3).

4) The How? * The approach to Ministry - God is a strategist - He not


only give assignments, but also give the strategies for executing the
assignments - Every problem must be resolved before progress is
ensured (Hab. 2:1-2; Exo. 25:9,40; Heb.8:5)

Hab. 2:1,2; Acts 7:22-35; Dan. 12:4,7-8. God's time is the safest and is
always in the favour of his child (Eccl. 3:11). Your Ministry has to grow at
God's pace otherwise it may hit the rocks, Every divine vision has humble
beginnings and it never gets fulfilled until the fullness of time. Fullness of
time is a function of fullness of yieldedness, so the individual contributes to
its arrival. Is. 5:1-7.

The time set can pass without fullness being achieved. This is because the
individual has not come to the level where he can handle the
responsibilities that God built into the vision.
The higher the faithfulness, the shorter (in terms of years) the time the
individual arrives at the appointed time/fullness of vision. * He not only
gives assignments, but also give the strategies for executing the
assignments

* Every problem must be resolved before progress is ensured (Hab. 2:12;


Ex. 25:9, 40; Heb. 8:5)

LAW OF DIVINE SIGNALS:


When God gives a vision, the ensuring Ministry has in built steps leading to
its fulfilment. He sends signals from time to time to move the Minister

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from stage to stage. The following attitudes will enable one to receive the
signals as they are given by God.
a) Watch the pillar of cloud or fire Ex. 13:21,22. The glory cloud or the
presence of God determines when to move and the direction to follow.
Stay where the cloud is that is your Divine signal.
b) Avoid looking for short-cuts. (Ex. 13:17-18). He did not lead
them through the way of the Philistines which is short. Don't go
looking for short cuts. It might be a way out of God's plan. They would
never have reached Canaan by the short cut.
c.) Yield to His directions: Ps. 32:8,9. He is the one leading. He
must be at the front while you follow. Don't be bent in a particular
direction. just flow with His directions.

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LESSON FIVE

FAITH
Ministry has life. It is never static consequently it grows. Every calling has
a small be just like every great tomorrow has an ordinary beginning. (Zac.
4:10).
However, the growth rate has human factors, which is your investment or
the price paid for growth.
These price or investment can be viewed from the perspective of our
subsequent rungs on our ladder of Excellence in Ministry:
FAITH: This is the 2nd rung of the ladder of Excellence in Ministry. Faith
is very essential to growth and success in Ministry. " Faithful is he that
called you, who also will do it " (1 Thess,5:24)
The caller is the doer. But the called must put Faith in the Caller to do it,
i.e. allow Him to do it.
Exploit is impossible without Faith ( Lk.1:45). Ministry does not take
Might, it takes Faith ( Heb. 11:1- 3, 6,11,17-18, 24-35; 33-35)
Faith simply means I BELIEVE GOD CAN AND I BELIEVE GOD WILL!
 ABILITY & WILLINGNESSGOD'S SIDE.
 BELIEVE  MAN'S SIDE.
Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God on regular basis (Rom.10:17)

Your right standing in God (Holiness) is revealed by your faith (Rom.1:17;

Hab. 2:4;Gal. 3:11; Hab. 10:38)

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LESSON SIX

WISDOM
rd
(3 Rung of the ladder)
Ministry can be compared to a house (Prov. 24 3; 9 1). Without Wisdom,
one can ruin or destroy the work he is doing. Ps. 104: 24; Prov. 4 7; 24: 3-
6; Eccl. 8: 1-2; Prov.16: 20.
 Wisdom is the profitable, sensible, laudable handling of events.
 Wisdom is understanding the "hows" of events - It is the handling of the
"hows" of a Ministry.
If one misses the "hows", he enters into struggles i.e begins to operate by
trials and errors. Eccl. 10:10 Wisdom is profitable to direct. How do I
receive Wisdom for growth and success in Ministry?
 Ask (James 1:5)
Through Interaction with re- known people operating in Wisdom or by
proxy - through reading or hearing the materials (teachings) from such
persons (Jude 2:5;
 Reading and studying the Word of God gives Wisdom.
(2 Tim 3:15)
Using Wisdom - Wisdom multiplies through usage.

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LESSON SEVEN

DILIGENCE

(4th Rung of the Ladder)


This is not optional in Ministry, It is compulsory if success and growth in
Ministry is desired.

Remember that success does not come by accident, it has to be


programmed, prepared for and then pursued to be realised. * Diligence
means to be a man of constructive/ creative activity - a hard working man
with a definite goal.

* Ministry is a gift and keeping it is a task that requires the Minister's


personal responsibility.
* just as the Garden of Eden was God's gift to Adam and yet he was
entrusted with the responsibility of keeping and tending it; so it is in
Ministry.
* It is the task of keeping the Ministry that requires diligence. Ministry
work requires solid Diligence.
* Jesus said " My father works, hitherto, even so worketh the son also
Matt.5:17)
* Work was top priority in the life of Jesus (Jn. 9:4)
* You can never enjoy divine backing except you are a devoted worker.
God will never deploy lazy people to handle important assignments.
* Diligence is your connecting rod to great heights in Ministry , "he that
gathereth by labour shall increase" (Prov. 13:llb).
* Learn to work with your head before engaging the use of your hand in
any assignment, to save you from the labour of a fool (Eccl.10:15)

In Ministry, your principal labour should be invested in the Word of


God (2 Tim. 2:15, 5:17)

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LESSON EIGHT

DISCIPLINE
This is the Fifth Rung of the Ladder of excellence. It takes discipline to
maintain any growth and success attained in Ministry. Diligence helps to
create success but it takes discipline to maintain it.

Discipline means self control i.e. to be in - charge of your system


To be able to say NO to the indulging demands of the flesh. Where there is
no control there is bound to be disaster.
There are two forms of Discipline:
 External
 Internal
a) EXTERNAL
This is imposed by an outside force that is usually superior to us. This kind
of discipline usually carries sanctions in case of deviant behaviour.
b) INTERNAL
This is the superior discipline.  Discipline exhibited when no external
force is exerting any necessary pressure on you to do what should be done.
Eccl. 10:16,17

“Woe to thee, 0 land, when thy King is a child, and thy princes EAT IN
THE MORNING. Blessed art thou, 0 land, when thy King is the son of the
noble, and thy princes EAT IN DUE SEASEON, FOR STRENGTH, AND
NOT FOR DRUNKENNESS."

Lack of self - control manifests when Rulers and Leaders behave childishly
and their princes and their assistants begin their day by satisfying their
appetites

Discipline must manifest in your habits - eating, sleeping, pursuit of


pleasure, use of time, etc. Discipline must be in place before you begin to
enjoy success(l Cor. 9:24-27)

 If the Top is your goal, then self - control must be your choice.
To attain your highest potential in Ministry, you must be ready to leave the
comfort zone -No one dwells in the comfort zone and still get to the top.

Aspects of Discipline

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i) Sleep
 This is a mark of indolence in Ministry when not controlled.
Prov. 20:13 “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty, open thine
eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.”
Prov.6:4“Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids"
 When you fail to control sleep, then you aim for shame
(Prov.10:5)
 Love of sleep amounts to laziness or slothfulness which
leads to total breakdown (Prov. 24:30-34)

YOU WILL NOT SUFFER BREAKDOWN; YOU WILL BREAK


THROUGH !!!

ii) Pleasure
 You must learn to separate pleasure from
Ministry. Don't go seeking after pleasure in Ministry, it leads
to poverty (Prov. 21:17).

Pleasure seeking leads to spiritual barrenness (Lk. 8:14);


spiritual death (1Tim 5:6)

iii) Mouth
 Learn to control your mouth - Don't open your mouth to say
just anything. James 3:2 “For in many things we offend all. If any
man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also
bridle the whole body.”

* When you keep your mouth, you keep yourself from trouble
(Prov. 21:23)
* Your mouth determines your life (Prov. 18:20-21)

iv) Strife
 This is related to envy and connotes the vice of selfish
ambition that promotes own interests. 2 Tim. 2:24 "And the servant of
the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach,
patient."

* You are not to strive as a servant of God.


* You are not permitted to do anything including Ministry in
strive (Phil. 2:3).

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* It is the path of honour to avoid strive.(Prov. 20:3; 25:8;26:17)

v) Time
This is a principal raw material for the production of success in
Ministry - Time wasted is success forbidding.

* Time is life; wasted time is therefore wasted life (1 Tim. 5:13)

* Stop spending time, INVEST IT (Eph. 5:15-17)

* Redeem the time (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5).


 Apply your heart to wisdom by investing your time wisely(Ps.
90:12)
 Do your own business; Don't be a busybody in other
men’s matter (1 Thess. 4:11; SOS. 1:6; 1 Pt. 4:15).

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CHARACTERISTICS OF TIME

 It cannot be stopped.

 It cannot be stored.

 It cannot be stretched.

 It can be managed.

 TIME MANAGEMENT IS LIFE MANAGEMENT

If you sleep 8hrs. a day, at 70yrs., you would have slept for 204,400hrs.
that is, one third (1/3) of your years.

Don't spend your life; invest it  What you spend is spent but what you
invest yields dividend.

Don't spend all the night hours sleeping; expect to be


instructed and taught accordingly ( Ps. 16:7; 19:2).

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LESSON NINE
FOCUS AND ZEAL

A) FOCUS
Until you have a focus, you can never become a focus. To be effective in
Ministry it is important for you to understand the nature of your assignment
and keep to it at all cost.
You are called into Ministry, so Ministry should be your focus - not
politics, not merchandising, etc. (Matt. 6:22). DEFINE YOUR FOCUS
AND KEEP REFINNING IT FROM TIME TO TIME!
If you are in Ministry, you are called for a specific purpose and sent to
specific individuals, so keep doing it. (1 Cor. 7:20,24) - Abide in your
calling.
When ever you loose focus, you become vulnerable to shame, attacks etc.
(1 Kgs.20:39-42)
If you don't know what to live for, you won't know what to run from.
When someone is messing up, another man is warming up to take his place
(The case of Saul & David) AVOID RUNNING YOUR LIFE ON PUBLIC
OPINION!
Don't cast aspersion on other Ministers - Run on your own path (Joel
2:3,7,8.) "....Take heed to the Ministry you are given..(Col. 4:17). The
athletes get the crown (trophy) only when they run along their paths -
keeping the rules of the game. You cannot end up being the best running
on another manes lane.
Until you loose focus, you can't sink (Matt. 14:28-32; Heb. 12:2). Jesus
was the author of Peter's faith, but the wind almost finished it.
When you are unstable don't expect yourself to excel in Ministry (James
1:5-8; Gen 49:13)
B) ZEAL
 This is a divine drive that gives motion to one's vision. It is an
emotional force that propels a man towards his set goals.
* It is a momentum - a propelling inner force that radiate on the outside.

* Zeal talks of enthusiasm - a zealous man is an active volcanoe -He is


always on the move and has no time to'be cast down.

* Without zeal in Ministry, it is impossible to attain the uttermost. In


spiritual matters, it is the zeal of the Lord that is the performer (Isa. 9:7;
2Kgs. 19:31)

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Concerning Jesus Christ, the Bible says “The zeal of thine house hath eaten
me up” (Ps. 69:9; Jhn. 2:17)
He demonstrated this zeal throughout His earthly Ministry (Jhn.4:34;
Heb.12:2).
Paul was a very zealous apostle (Phil. 1:21; l Cor. 9:16; 15:31).He had a
mission, a cause and embarked on the accomplishment of his task with all
vigour - His zeal knew no bounds.
If you cling to your life in this world instead of facing up the challenges,
blocking the fulfilment of your vision, then you end up loosing your life
(Maft.10:39; Jhn. 12:24).
When zeal is fired up by knowledge, exploits in Ministry becomes
automatic (Rom. 10:2-4)

Jesus admonishes us to be zealous (Rev. 3:19)

HOW DO WE MAINTAIN OUR ZEAL?

To keep the momentum, you need to keep tapping it ( e.g a football keeps
moving through kicks and taps). When the zeal is high, you can do all
things. How do you keep the tempo of the zeal?

i. Go for renewal - you need to go for renewal to obtain new fire. Have
fellowship with God (lKgs.19:9-18).

ii. Attend meetings, conferences, seminars, etc. G o and hear


others; what they are doing, how they are doing, the testimonies of
what God is doing in their Ministries etc (Heb.10:25)

iii. Consider the gains, the victories ahead of you (Heb.12:1-2)

LESSON TEN

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RELATIONSHIP
(LAW OF COMPANY  ECC. 4:1 0; PROV.27:17)
In ministry, covenant connections are evitable - It is a must to maintain a
form of relationship or another.
It is not possible to make success in Ministry alone, when we identify our
area of calling, we should find someone with identical/similar Ministry and
link up for the purpose of lifting up each other. The Bible tells clearly on
the power of partnership.
It is not safe to be alone neither is it safe to join anybody (Prov. 13:20.

There must be profitable association with people of like vision. Have a


habit of discussing your Ministries. Have Elders in the faith from whom
you draw wisdom they received over the years, at the same time have
companions you can run with.
Relationships are so vital that no matter your goal in life, wrong company
can make you a failure. 'the gifts of the Holy Ghost could not exempt the
Corinthians from the disastrous effects of bad company. When God wanted
to unfold the covenant to Abraham, He said to him - "Get thee out". That
old environment would have demolished his embryonic faith. 2 Sam. 13.
Jonadab's counsel finished the life and future of Amon - David's first son.
(2 Sam.13)

From Eccl.4:9-12, there are three benefits brought out from the passage:
i) Restoration (vs.10)
ii) Motivation (vs.11)
iii) Strength (vs.12)
Jesus believes in relationships or partnership - He sent His disciples out in
pairs and encourages same in Ministry. (Matt 18:16; Mk. 6:7; 14:13; Lk.
10:1; Jhn. 8:17). This provides for each one double Faith and wisdom; and
helps bolster courage.

LEVELS OF PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP (Amos 3:3)

Three levels of relationship are strongly recommended for speedy,


healthy and proven Ministry:
i) Relationship with superior  For counseling
ii) Relationship with a coffegue  For sharing
iii) Relationship with a younger person  For sowing.

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i) Relationship with a superior or senior.
*The essence of relating with someone who is senior to you in Ministry is
to receive guidance, counselling, instructions and corrections - It is learning
to follow the steps of an elder (someone who has obtained what you have
not obtained) (Heb. 6:12).
* When you relate with someone above you, you must guide against
seeking faults - rather you seek for fruits (Matt. 11:6).
* This kind of relationship positions you at a receiving end. (Heb. 7:7)
ii) Relationship with a colleague, an equal or friend.
 The essence of this relationship is for mutual sharing - mutually
provoking each other to greater heights (Prov. 27:17)
 You challenge each other for progress and come to the aid of each other
in hours of need.
 EVERY IRON SHOULD LOOK FOR ANOTHER IRON TO SHARPEN
WITH.
 When you relate with colleagues or equals, you must learn to keep your
confidence and don't be domineering.
iii) Relationship with a younger person (junior in Ministry)
 The essence of this relationship is give you the opportunity to mentor
others.
Basically that of giving and being a blessing.
The basic guiding rule is - DO NOT BE INTIMIDATING! Allow liberty to
grow and realise your purpose raising them.
Various levels of Productive Relationship:
Mutual submission (He has what you are looking for)
Ministerial Aspirant  (Mutual understanding & sharing)
Mutual Aspirant for instruction (Is. 9:16)

Your vision is integrated into the Mission with a purpose. In the upper
hand relationship you must meet with one superior to you for the purpose
of counsel. It will help you get to where they are.

In the horizontal direction you have a running mate. Below you are people
who look up to you for inspiration. You cannot be the Alpha and Omega of
your Ministry.

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LESSON ELEVEN

PROVISION FOR MINISTRY


This is the eight rung on our Ladder of Excellence and it is a very crucial
one for the survival of the Ministry and the Minister,
Money for Ministry means it is targeted towards Kingdom advancement.
Ecc. 7:12; Ecc.9:14-16. Money and wisdom provide a two dimensional
defence for any enterprise, the Ministry inclusive.

It is one thing to have a vision for Ministry, it is another thing to have


motion. It is Money that guarantees motion in Ministry. Money provides a
defence for you in Ministry and according to Eccl.10:19 “... Money
answereth all things”. Money is the answer to property acquisition, staff
over head, etc. (Eccl 10:19; 7:12).

HOW TO GUARANTEE SUPLLY IN MINISTRY


a) GOD'S COMMISSION: The work that God commissions is the one
He finances Luke 22:35. You must be sure that you received a call
from God. It takes His commission to command His supplies.
God's commission cannot miss His provision (1 Thess. 5:24).
When Jesus sent out the disciples first, he gave the following
instructions
i) Take nothing (Luke 9:3)
ii) Mind your mission (Luke 10:9)
iii) Salute no man on the way (Luke 10:4)

Divine commission produces Divine provision (judges 6:14). Labour


has wages.(Matt. 10:10; Lk.10:7). You must be sure you are on divine
commission - (Jere. 23:21).
b) Give yourself to Ministering.  Ministry is not in the amount of money
you have saved or the Committee has agreed to invest, but God's sole
responsibility. Every Labourer is worthy of his wages - from whoever
hired him. Concentrate on raising men and on raising money. When
you raise the men, they will raise the money. Lk. 8:1-3; Rom. 15:27.
c) Learn the Law of Sowing and Reaping: Gal. 6:7,2 Cor. 9:6.

Educate the people to be involved not just for the sake of the Ministry but
for themselves also. When you deny them the opportunity to sow, you
deny them the opportunity to harvest. Exo. 35:4,5.

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Make sure that the project you embark on per time is commensurate to your
size. Do not embark too early on capital projects.
LEARN TO TAKE THE LEAD, SHOW EXAMPLE IN SOWING.
Ministers are sowers of Spiritual seeds. Each reaps where he sows Rom.
15:27. God makes it a duty to people who you minister Spiritual things to
Minister their material things to you.

Those who minister the power of God unto salvation shall live by it. It is
not your duty to caress a man to give. Give them the word according to the
leading of the Holy Ghost and let them make their decisions.

d) Concentrate on your service to God.  Never shift your emphasis from


God to what the family can provide. Otherwise your Ministry will
never grow above the resources of the family. The Ministry has
Spiritual emphasis. Your Spiritual output determines your rating for
provision. God is bound to back up every Ministry that is producing.
Settle down with God and turn your back to human agents - who need
newsletters to understand what they ought to do. There are factors in
God's word that enhances the flow of funds:
a) It takes God's commission to command divine supplies.
b) The labourers is worthy of his wages. So labour with all your
might.
c ) God will prosper all those who will not hesitate when He calls
for it.

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LESSON TWELVE

THE ESSENCE OF POWER (UNCTION) FOR MINISTRY


Unction is a very crucial level in Ministry and is tenth rung in our ladder of
Excellence.
I Cor. 2:4; 4:20, Acts 1:8;1 Thess. 1:5; Lk. 10:19;jhn.1:12. As the engine is
the life of a vehicle so is power the fife of a Ministry. The Power from the
engine makes the vehicle move so also the power in the Ministry makes the
Ministry move. Except a man is a container of God's power, he cannot
preach His power.
The power of the Kingdom is for new men and one needs to become the
new wine skin for the new wine. At baptism of the Holy Spirit, the oil or
new wine is poured to fill the believer, but that' is not the engine. The
believer or Minister should avail himself to God for a fresh design. take
pains and steps to render your body a power generator. It becomes a
channel through which God's power flows.

* Your level of unction in Ministry determines your level of manifestation.


(Jhn.3:34;Lk.24:49). What fuel is to your car is to your Ministry - No fuel,
no motion. Life without fuel ends up in pushing!. High unction leads to
high manifestation and vice versa.

*It is unction that helps you to power - steer you Ministry. Without unction
you cannot function.

HOW POWER (UNCTION) FOR MINISTRY CAN FLOW:

You contact Power or unction for Ministry by Interaction in the presence


of God. As you dwell in Ms presence the unction comes upon you. How
do we dwell meaningfully in His presence?

a) Mind Renewal. Rom. 12:2. Give your mind a thorough spiritual


orientation. If this is not done, it will glue to the old (carnal) nature. Tune
your mind to stick to the truth. This will flush out all the filth it
accumulated over the years. For it a man cleans himself from these, he
will be a vessel for whole purposes, made holy and useful to the Master
and prepared to do any good work 2 Tim. 2:21. The Spirit and Mind must
harmnonize for God's power to flow.

b) Be prayerful Mark 1:25, Mark 6:46. Jesus maintained a regular habit


and attitude of prayer. Great things happened after His prayers. In prayer,

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you stir up the gift of God in you and you are exchanging eternal views
with God.

c) Meditational privacy: Observance of quietness under severe


atmosphere enhances recreation through which God's power can flow. Ps.
46,. 1 0 be still and you will know that . I am God, It is in meditation that
one receives the word of the hour, and this is what God confirms. Jesus
always separated Himself unto a quiet place.Mark 1:35

d) Fasting: Is. 58:6-12. Fasting refines the spirit, soul and body. They
that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. You must create
this opportunity to enhance your spiritual output.

e) Diligence in Ministry Luke 9:62. Be found on the job. Keep your


hands constantly on the plough Matt.20:6. God hates wastage, He questions
idleness Rom. 12: 11; Heb. 6:12; 1 Thess. 4:9; Ecc. 10: 18. Let your motto
be "I must work while it is day" Jn.9:4. Every one called by Jesus was taken
away while diligent in his own business. e.g. Peter from fishing, Matthew
from Revenue collection.

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LESSON THIRTEEN

CONFIDENCE AND INTEGRITY


A) CONFIDENCE
Ministry is not a coward's job. It requires a Lion's heart. No confidence, no
exploits; no rewards.
You require a bold heart for a bold step ie. You cannot' do without courage
(Josh. 1:6,7,9,18).
Courage is an expression of Faith; it is also an expression of certainty.
The more confidence you display, the more exploit you experience. (Acts
14:3)
A lot of things naturally comes to intimidate you in Ministry work but you
need to be strong in the Lord and in the Power of His Might. (Eph. 6: 10)

B) Integrity
There are two key words used to define integrity:
i. Honesty
ii. Morality

A man of integrity therefore is a man that is honest in his dealings and


morally upright.
Wen you loose the confidence of the people. And once you lose the
confidence of the people, your Ministry stops.
When you walk in integrity, you are free from fear. You won't be afraid
that maybe you would be found (lSam.12:3-5; Acts2O:33; 1 Thess.2:5-7; 2
Cor. 7:2;11:9).

How do you obtain Integrity?

i) Desire it
ii) Decide to pursue it, once you take a quality decision for it, you have
energy to pursue it.
iii) Be accountable

What has Integrity to offer you and your Ministry ?

i) It will establish your throne ie your Ministry.


ii) Preserves you and your Ministry.
iii) Offer access to divine guidance.

LESSON FOURTEEN

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PROBLEM/CRISIS HANDLING

Three things you must know about problems:

1. You can't stop problems (Deut.4:30).

2. You can't run away from problems.

3. You can solve problems (Deut. 4:32).


The early church was able to:-
a) Predict where problems will arise (Acts.6:1-5).

b) How to solve them (Acts. 6:3)

c) Identify what benefits will arise when solved correctly (Acts.6:7).


Jesus said - in this world you will have tribulations - problems
(Matt. 24:21).

POTENTIAL PROBLEM PRODUCER: CHANGE

Change: Growth means change and motion will cause friction. There is a
covenant victory to every problem. Never let a problem distract you from
your objective. Move it but don't let it move you.

Paul said - none of these things move me. Develop a superiority complex
over any problem and draw inspiration from Joshua and Caleb.

Size your problem with your captain - Jesus. “I am well able” is the
language of every victor.

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LESSON FIFTEEN

ORGANIZATIONAL ADMINISTRATIONS

It takes more than anointing or preaching to succeed in Ministry. No


Ministry succeed without good administration. Through wisdom a house is
built, and by understanding it is established.

By administration we mean putting things in their respective order to


achieve the ultimate goal. Where good administration is lacking, good
result will be lacking.

Through administration, you know the things going on and to effect


productive changes. Men are assets to success; when God has provided
you with them, you have to deploy these where they are but suited.

DEVELOPING EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION

1. You need a well defined goal.

2. From your goal you identify objectives needed to achieve that


goal.
3. Break the objectives into functional units.

4. From these functional units, you develop your structure.

The strength of the system is determined by the people who make it up. The
man at the top is a primary motivator. Below him are executors. If the
motivator is struck, the executors drift. He must have inner strength with
oil.
He must have inner strength that can push the system forward.
He has the responsibility of placing the executors. Your executor must
believe in your spiritual authority and social integrity. The best way to
raise executors is to let your spirit loose upon them. Speak to them, lay
hands on them, anoint them with oil.

REVISION: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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