I could use some guidance from the community. I decided to head into ministry.

[Wolfnox]

I finally accepted I have been called to preach. After years of doubt. I still don’t feel worthy of it. But, I decided to accept it.

 

[Neia]

None of us will ever be worthy of anything that God asks us to do. Just as we'll never be worthy of His blessings or forgiveness.

 

[Alexej]

Well done for saying Yes. Who knows what this will mean for you, but may God's blessing be on you in this venture.

As you go through the various steps know that we are here for you.

 

[Rachie]

Congratulations, I wish you well with it. God's perfect timing.

I was interested before in doing a lay course in my diocese. It didn't really seem to lead anywhere though and my GP thought it was a bit too much for me right now. I've seen some growth in some people. This woman was inpatient for mental health and is now serving the chalice and a reader in the church.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Many blessings to you as you follow your calling.

 

[Aspychata]

Great news, this is a new door opening up for you.

 

[Aspychata]

None of us will ever be worthy of anything that God asks us to do. Just as we'll never be worthy of His blessings or forgiveness.

Sounds like my mom. Lol

 

[All-Rounder]

My only advice is to take biblical scholars very seriously, check with different sources of study and not lie to the followers, they need the truth. You will hear thruths you never heard before and you shouldn't hide them even if they geopardize the faith. This will explain some things.

Some people can't believe on blind faith so don't prevent them from questioning and testing, and let them find their way. One of the worst things in faiths is the shunning, like losing your family, your church, community because of what you believe and it can be very unfair, pressuring etc. make sure it doesn't happen. And if it happens there is help from the church.

 

[Seladon]

Always uplifting to hear someone find and decide on a path that resonates with their heart. All the best of luck and success on your journey

Though I’m not a Xtian myself and since my youth have followed the Pagan polytheist way (zero regrets!), I’m sometimes envious of the many formal study & career options option to Abrahamics, Sikh/Buddhists and also some Eastern pagans such as Shinto adherents. People like me can’t just become well-respected socially-acknowledged temple-keepers, monks or priests (ideal autistic lifestyle jobs) and get paid for it! The best one can do in my branch is become a Druid, but they’re all hobbyists, LARPy, and to be frank a bit of a laughing stock even in the community.

 

[jsilver256]

Congratulations. Paul has a disability which he calls the "thorn" that he gained after he converted. It is not mentioned explicitly, but my pastor believes it was anxiety and I take it a step further and I believe it was autism.

He had issues speaking and needed the Holy Spirit to overpower it:

And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

He had issues with fighting with his own body:

For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.

He frequently speaks of being weak in a way that assumes it is obvious to others:

And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

And, a much better writer than speaker overall:

For they say, 'His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.'

He prayed to the Lord three times to have his disability cured:

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We had a thread the other day on spiritual gifts. My own is evangelism as well, although I'm not called to ministry. I can't explain how it works. God just sends someone to me somehow almost everyday to share the Gospel with. Sometimes it's a coworker, sometimes it's a friend, sometimes it's a family member, sometimes it's an online person.

It is the most ironic gift from God - a literal mute, autistic, social anxiety off the charts. But to quote God, "My power is made perfect in weakness." God doesn't empower mighty heroes, he empowers the unlikely.

Good luck and God bless.

 

[Wolfnox]

Trying to work out a starting point. I’m not in a church and haven’t been in years. But, I also feel I need to better prepare for what’s ahead through scripture and prayer and wait on Him to guide me forward.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Trying to work out a starting point. I’m not in a church and haven’t been in years. But, I also feel I need to better prepare for what’s ahead through scripture and prayer and wait on Him to guide me forward.

Have you thought of going to college to get a degree in a religious subject? A college would provide you with information and contacts and ideas about where to go from here.

 

[Wolfnox]

Have you thought of going to college to get a degree in a religious subject? A college would provide you with information and contacts and ideas about where to go from here.

Money an issue and I currently unable to relocate anywhere due to family needs and high cost of living.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Money an issue and I currently unable to relocate anywhere due to family needs and high cost of living.

There are likely various financial aid resources that could help with the money issues. There also might be online courses.

I suggest these because I think, I could be wrong here, you would want your ministry to be backed with knowledge. More importantly is finding out what kind of ministry you want to do.

 

[jsilver256]

Trying to work out a starting point. I’m not in a church and haven’t been in years. But, I also feel I need to better prepare for what’s ahead through scripture and prayer and wait on Him to guide me forward.

I think you answered your own question. Start with going to church and studying the Bible.