Here is the second part of the interview questions and answers from Eric King, the Director of Missional Church Strategist Team for the International Mission Board.
Which ministry responsibility do you enjoy the most? Why? Helping believers understand and embrace God’s global mission plan. It is fulfilling to see His followers living out the biblical call on their lives.
Describe the amount of time, if any, you spend in an average week in sermon preparation. Sermon preparation applies only sometimes. It usually takes about 20 hours a week.
Describe the amount of time you spend in an average week in personal devotions and prayer. I usually spend about 5 hours per week.
How do you keep yourself fresh and informed in the ministry? Are there books, magazines, blogs that you frequent? I stay fresh primarily through twitter and FB (Facebook) leads. I also intentionally spend time with those who I desire to be influenced by.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone aspiring to a vocational role in ministry? Your calling is an act of grace from God as Paul described in Ephesians. Calling is not due to personal value or accomplishments but due to grace. Calling is always for the hope of the Nations - making disciples for the sake of His name being proclaimed to all peoples. One more - your first calling to ministry is to your wife and children. Disciple well in the home first.
I am very thankful to Eric King for taking the time to participate in this interview. I hope that you are blessed by the lessons that he provided in his answers. You can read Part One of the interview with Eric King here.
Here are two great resources based on some of the answers that Eric gave.
Showing posts with label Ministry Interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ministry Interviews. Show all posts
Monday, August 15, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Ministry Interview with Eric King, Part 1
One of the things that I want to do with this blog is to discuss various roles that people play in the service of God, not simply as pastors, but in other areas as well. I recently had the opportunity to interview Eric King. Eric is the Director of Missional Church Strategist Team, a part of the International Missions Board. This was a unique opportunity for me because Eric was once my work supervisor at the Distribution Center for A Beka Book in Pensacola, Florida. I drove him crazy as a goofy freshman who went by the nickname Fish. It has been great keeping in touch with him and seeing how God has been using him to further the Gospel. Well without any more jibber jabber on my part, here is the first part of the interview.
What is your current role in the ministry and how long have you been in that role? Have you had any other positions? My current role is: Director of Missional Church Strategist Team, 1 yr. For 4 years I served as a Missional Church Strategist. Prior to that I served as Minister of Missions.
Tell me about your call to ministry. I have a unique call as my home church asked me to come on staff prior to my ever experiencing a call from God. After dismissing the request for several weeks, yet still being pursued, I committed to passionate prayer. God clearly revealed this was His plan for my family. It really wasn’t until a year later while being on a mission trip in Brazil that I truly surrendered to the call. I had been fulfilling the position but had not truly surrendered.
What type of preparation did you have for the ministry? I have no formal preparation but have pursued God’s will in my life. Most of my learning has come through mentors and those who discipled me. I did attend Christian school and college so I have a good biblical knowledge base.
How many other positions in ministry have you had and how did you know when it was time to move from one position to another? I am currently in my 3rd ministry role. I personally commit to remain in the position God places me until there is an obvious and overwhelming pull away. God is faithful to clearly lead those who desire to walk daily in His will.
The other questions will be posted over the next couple of days. I hope that you will pray for Eric King and his family as they continue to minister. I also hope that these interviews are a blessing to you.
What is your current role in the ministry and how long have you been in that role? Have you had any other positions? My current role is: Director of Missional Church Strategist Team, 1 yr. For 4 years I served as a Missional Church Strategist. Prior to that I served as Minister of Missions.
Tell me about your call to ministry. I have a unique call as my home church asked me to come on staff prior to my ever experiencing a call from God. After dismissing the request for several weeks, yet still being pursued, I committed to passionate prayer. God clearly revealed this was His plan for my family. It really wasn’t until a year later while being on a mission trip in Brazil that I truly surrendered to the call. I had been fulfilling the position but had not truly surrendered.
What type of preparation did you have for the ministry? I have no formal preparation but have pursued God’s will in my life. Most of my learning has come through mentors and those who discipled me. I did attend Christian school and college so I have a good biblical knowledge base.
How many other positions in ministry have you had and how did you know when it was time to move from one position to another? I am currently in my 3rd ministry role. I personally commit to remain in the position God places me until there is an obvious and overwhelming pull away. God is faithful to clearly lead those who desire to walk daily in His will.
The other questions will be posted over the next couple of days. I hope that you will pray for Eric King and his family as they continue to minister. I also hope that these interviews are a blessing to you.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Interview with Pastor Devin Ward, Part 3
Here is the third and final installment of my interview with Pastor Devin Ward of First Baptist Church Inwood. You can read the other installments here (Part 1) and here (Part 2).
What is an area of pastoral ministry that you wish you had been taught when you were in school?
I felt like I wasn’t as equipped as I needed to be when it came to church
leadership. I had to learn many things in the “School of Hard Knocks.” I had
picked up a few things on my own through reading but wish I had gotten more
hands-on experience from pastors who were my instructors at the time.
How do you keep yourself fresh and informed in the ministry? Are there books, magazines, blogs that you frequent?
Thankfully, I enjoy reading and am always open to periodicals, books and the
blog writings of some. I also enjoy reading commentaries and sermons by various
preachers that have been inspirational over the years. Some of my favorite
pastors, authors have been C.H. Spurgeon (earlier years) and Adrian Rogers,
Jerry Vines and John MacArthur in later years, each of whom have been very
successful pastors and mentors to preachers. There is a host of other
contributors that I draw and have drawn from.
Do you ever worry about becoming stale in the ministry?
I have not had problems with feelings of staleness but due to the death of my daughter in a car accident, personal health problems as well as health concerns of my wife, in addition to problems affecting the church which I pastor, I have faced stress and the feeling of having “run into a wall” at times. This was not present early in ministry and I combat these times of great burden by having devotional times with my wife, which has been a huge blessing in getting through the tougher times of ministry. Thank God for godly pastor’s wives!
Describe your ordination council.
Ordained pastors from the local area where I was being ordained (several of whom were my instructors in seminary) joined with my pastor at that time as well as the pastor I had when saved and called to preach to form my ordination council. I was asked to give testimony of my salvation as well as my call to preach, was questioned at great length about doctrinal and moral issues and later recommended that the church proceed with my ordination.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone aspiring to become a pastor?
Obviously, there is much advice that could be offered but one thing we have not
mentioned in this interview is the pastor’s relationship with his family. As
precious as time will be in the ministry, a pastor must not neglect his time spent
with his wife and family. We must not put their needs behind the needs of the
church family nor should we ever be guilty of being too harsh on them because of
the expectations people have on the pastor’s family. I have found in the study of
God’s Word that harshness on the part of a husband/father is extremely harmful
in building the family God wants us to have. This is especially true when it
comes to the minister/preacher who is also a father and a husband.
This concludes my interview with Pastor Devin. I hope that you are able to sense the love that he has for the ministry from the answers that he gave to the questions. Again, post any comments or questions you may have.
What is an area of pastoral ministry that you wish you had been taught when you were in school?
I felt like I wasn’t as equipped as I needed to be when it came to church
leadership. I had to learn many things in the “School of Hard Knocks.” I had
picked up a few things on my own through reading but wish I had gotten more
hands-on experience from pastors who were my instructors at the time.
How do you keep yourself fresh and informed in the ministry? Are there books, magazines, blogs that you frequent?
Thankfully, I enjoy reading and am always open to periodicals, books and the
blog writings of some. I also enjoy reading commentaries and sermons by various
preachers that have been inspirational over the years. Some of my favorite
pastors, authors have been C.H. Spurgeon (earlier years) and Adrian Rogers,
Jerry Vines and John MacArthur in later years, each of whom have been very
successful pastors and mentors to preachers. There is a host of other
contributors that I draw and have drawn from.
Do you ever worry about becoming stale in the ministry?
I have not had problems with feelings of staleness but due to the death of my daughter in a car accident, personal health problems as well as health concerns of my wife, in addition to problems affecting the church which I pastor, I have faced stress and the feeling of having “run into a wall” at times. This was not present early in ministry and I combat these times of great burden by having devotional times with my wife, which has been a huge blessing in getting through the tougher times of ministry. Thank God for godly pastor’s wives!
Describe your ordination council.
Ordained pastors from the local area where I was being ordained (several of whom were my instructors in seminary) joined with my pastor at that time as well as the pastor I had when saved and called to preach to form my ordination council. I was asked to give testimony of my salvation as well as my call to preach, was questioned at great length about doctrinal and moral issues and later recommended that the church proceed with my ordination.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone aspiring to become a pastor?
Obviously, there is much advice that could be offered but one thing we have not
mentioned in this interview is the pastor’s relationship with his family. As
precious as time will be in the ministry, a pastor must not neglect his time spent
with his wife and family. We must not put their needs behind the needs of the
church family nor should we ever be guilty of being too harsh on them because of
the expectations people have on the pastor’s family. I have found in the study of
God’s Word that harshness on the part of a husband/father is extremely harmful
in building the family God wants us to have. This is especially true when it
comes to the minister/preacher who is also a father and a husband.
This concludes my interview with Pastor Devin. I hope that you are able to sense the love that he has for the ministry from the answers that he gave to the questions. Again, post any comments or questions you may have.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Interview with Pastor Devin Ward, Part 2
Here is the second part of the interview I did with Pastor Devin Ward of First Baptist Church Inwood.
Describe the amount of time you spend in an average week in sermon preparation.
An average week includes preparation for Wednesday lessons, Sunday School
lessons, and one or two sermons on Sunday. Depending on the amount of hospital visits, funerals, weddings, etc. which need my attention on any given week, I probably spend 25-30 hours in preparation. This would include the reading of various commentaries, etc. in connection with the passages, topics I am dealing with.
Describe the amount of time you spend in an average week in administrative responsibilities.
This may take up to as much as 10-15 hours a week and would include dealing
with all forms of correspondence, personal letters, e-mails, church newsletter
articles, and other means of communicating with church family. As pastor of the
sending church for two church planting efforts, I have found myself engaged in
correspondence with churches which have helped in the supporting of our
missionaries as well.
Describe the amount of time you spend in an average week in personal devotions and prayer.
Not nearly enough! 3-5 hours per week. Far too often, I find myself
consumed with the needs before me and cut back on time I should be spending
alone with God, without the agenda of sermon and/or lesson preparation. I am not
happy with this amount of time spent on personal devotions with God.
The third part of my interview will follow. I hope you have enjoyed learning from Pastor Devin. Please post any questions or comments you have and I will be happy to share them with him.
Describe the amount of time you spend in an average week in sermon preparation.
An average week includes preparation for Wednesday lessons, Sunday School
lessons, and one or two sermons on Sunday. Depending on the amount of hospital visits, funerals, weddings, etc. which need my attention on any given week, I probably spend 25-30 hours in preparation. This would include the reading of various commentaries, etc. in connection with the passages, topics I am dealing with.
Describe the amount of time you spend in an average week in administrative responsibilities.
This may take up to as much as 10-15 hours a week and would include dealing
with all forms of correspondence, personal letters, e-mails, church newsletter
articles, and other means of communicating with church family. As pastor of the
sending church for two church planting efforts, I have found myself engaged in
correspondence with churches which have helped in the supporting of our
missionaries as well.
Describe the amount of time you spend in an average week in personal devotions and prayer.
Not nearly enough! 3-5 hours per week. Far too often, I find myself
consumed with the needs before me and cut back on time I should be spending
alone with God, without the agenda of sermon and/or lesson preparation. I am not
happy with this amount of time spent on personal devotions with God.
The third part of my interview will follow. I hope you have enjoyed learning from Pastor Devin. Please post any questions or comments you have and I will be happy to share them with him.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Interview With Pastor Devin Ward, Part 1
I am very excited to share with you the interview that I conducted Pastor Devin Ward. Pastor Devin is the pastor of First Baptist Church Inwood, where I am currently serving as the pastoral intern. Pastor Devin has been a pastor for many years and has been extremely helpful to me as I pursue the ministry. He was gracious enough to share some insights into his ministry and now I am sharing them with you.
Tell me about your call to pastoral ministry.
I was saved at the age of 15 which brought about great changes in my life. I began to grow and involved myself faithfully in the work of the church where I was led to the Lord. This was very satisfying and led to greater involvement in ministry, primarily through the direction of our church’s Associate Pastor.
As I neared graduation from high school, I began to pray more and more about the direction God wanted me to go in my life. Though I did not feel worthy of being a preacher, I did begin to sense God’s call on my life. The timing was such that God helped me to see that He wanted me to pursue studies that would be beneficial to the ministry to which I believed God was calling me. I yielded my life to the ministry publicly in the summer of 1971 and soon thereafter enrolled to pursue a degree in Theology at Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary in Henderson, Texas.
What type of preparation did you have for the ministry?
Initially, I made myself available to give devotionals, preach messages (Rescue Mission, etc.), teach S.S. lessons, take part in church outreach efforts and any other thing I could do through my home church at the time. I also received some pastoral instruction (a form of mentorship) from my first pastor which I saw as invaluable at the time.
When God’s calling on my life became clearer, I began receiving Seminary training (full-time and later part time after having taken on my first pastorate, amounting to six years of studies) at Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary, Henderson, Texas. I eventually received a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, completed work for Masters but did not write thesis due to extenuating circumstances at the time.
How many pastorates have you had and how did you know when it was time to move from one pastorate to another?
I have had four pastorates, ranging from 19 months to 22+ years.
It seems to me that there were different things that caused me to be aware of the
need to change pastorates. At no time was I forced to leave any pastorate but I sensed that God was working in different stages of my life to accomplish different things. The strongest knowledge of God’s leadership in my life came with my moving to my third pastorate which was the planting of a new church in the greater metropolitan area of Houston, Texas. The most difficult move was to my present pastorate because of the love I had for the people where I planted a new church. It was so difficult to leave them but felt that they needed fresh leadership. I look back at that move now, however, and see God’s hand directing me.
Which pastoral responsibility do you enjoy the most? Why?
Preaching and the study which accompanies it. God places within men called to preach His Word a desire (passion) to proclaim the good news of Jesus in particular and the whole counsel of God, in general. Prayer and preaching of the Word are clearly to be the two most important things in the life of a God-called pastor.
There is a lot more that Pastor Devin had to share with me about his ministry. I will post more of the interview in the next series of posts.
Tell me about your call to pastoral ministry.
I was saved at the age of 15 which brought about great changes in my life. I began to grow and involved myself faithfully in the work of the church where I was led to the Lord. This was very satisfying and led to greater involvement in ministry, primarily through the direction of our church’s Associate Pastor.
As I neared graduation from high school, I began to pray more and more about the direction God wanted me to go in my life. Though I did not feel worthy of being a preacher, I did begin to sense God’s call on my life. The timing was such that God helped me to see that He wanted me to pursue studies that would be beneficial to the ministry to which I believed God was calling me. I yielded my life to the ministry publicly in the summer of 1971 and soon thereafter enrolled to pursue a degree in Theology at Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary in Henderson, Texas.
What type of preparation did you have for the ministry?
Initially, I made myself available to give devotionals, preach messages (Rescue Mission, etc.), teach S.S. lessons, take part in church outreach efforts and any other thing I could do through my home church at the time. I also received some pastoral instruction (a form of mentorship) from my first pastor which I saw as invaluable at the time.
When God’s calling on my life became clearer, I began receiving Seminary training (full-time and later part time after having taken on my first pastorate, amounting to six years of studies) at Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary, Henderson, Texas. I eventually received a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, completed work for Masters but did not write thesis due to extenuating circumstances at the time.
How many pastorates have you had and how did you know when it was time to move from one pastorate to another?
I have had four pastorates, ranging from 19 months to 22+ years.
It seems to me that there were different things that caused me to be aware of the
need to change pastorates. At no time was I forced to leave any pastorate but I sensed that God was working in different stages of my life to accomplish different things. The strongest knowledge of God’s leadership in my life came with my moving to my third pastorate which was the planting of a new church in the greater metropolitan area of Houston, Texas. The most difficult move was to my present pastorate because of the love I had for the people where I planted a new church. It was so difficult to leave them but felt that they needed fresh leadership. I look back at that move now, however, and see God’s hand directing me.
Which pastoral responsibility do you enjoy the most? Why?
Preaching and the study which accompanies it. God places within men called to preach His Word a desire (passion) to proclaim the good news of Jesus in particular and the whole counsel of God, in general. Prayer and preaching of the Word are clearly to be the two most important things in the life of a God-called pastor.
There is a lot more that Pastor Devin had to share with me about his ministry. I will post more of the interview in the next series of posts.
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