Philosophy of Pastoral Ministry

Jonanette B. Deverson

Professor Russell
Intro to Pastoral Service
RELP 105

February 7, 2018
 Theology of Ministry

Here lies the church of God, a body of soul wining individuals driven to proclaim the

Second Advent message; messages that focuses on truth, transformation, conviction, conversion,

God’s love, and soon to come final judgment of the wicked in the earth. It’s not about the make

size or style of building, but it’s about the community of Christians gathered together in the

Lord’s name1. Honoring Him with praise, adoration, and humility of heart as found Romans 12

we find an exceptional guideline to being effective Christians that have accepted Christ as Lord

and Savior. The Lord desires to have a united church where all spiritual gifts such as prophecy,

ministry, teaching, etc are welcomed for the benefit of a prosperous church forming a community

grounded in the Lord, where He is elevated and His teachings are given the upper hand. We must

not be boastful about our spiritual gifts, as to offend anyone, but instead use our gifts for the

benefit of the body of Christ which is the church2. “The church is God’s appointed agency for

the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the

world” (E. G. White 1911 ).1 The church of God is to be a house of prayer where peace

consumes His people as the world gets louder. “The church is God’s fortress, His city of refuge

which He holds in a revolted world” (E. G. White 1911 ).

How do we obtain salvation? Salvation is a gift given unto man through the blood of

Jesus the sacrificial Lamb of God. God came in the form of Christ man, and walked the earth

serving many and surrendered His life unto death to save the world Matt 28:20. It’s through the

accepting of Christ and believing in Him that we are brought salvation 2 Cor 8:9. Christ took on

1
Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911), 1
the chastisement of the world so that we may be healed and have life of peace Is 53:5. We must

glory in the Lord with our gifts for we were bought with a price that can never be repaid with

money. His life he willingly gave for ours 1 Cor 6:20.

When it comes to discipleship we can draw the aspect of calling to be taught of the ways

of God and to teach unto others. Discipleship, Jesus called the twelve gentlemen into service and

with the spirit of obedience they stopped what they were doing and followed Him. Being called

takes humbled spirit and obedience to fulfill the will of God unto man. Also to be glorified by

God Himself Rom 8:28-303. After giving much instruction to the disciples, Christ commissioned

the disciples to go make disciples and baptize them in the name of the heavenly Father, Son, and

Holy Spirit Mat 28:16-20.4 Disciples would be needed to help bring order in the church in

matters of dispute between brethren without involving outside authorities and cause shaming of

the gospel. They would also stand against all acts of immorality 1 Cor 6:1-115.

We are all called to serve in the body of Christ. I believe that is why there such diversity

of spiritual gifts. When you look at the anatomy of the human body, the head cannot move

without the neck, can’t hear without ears or feel with hands, can’t walk without feet and we

wouldn’t be able to breathe without our lungs and nostrils. Every part has its function and one

goes missing the body feels the impact. Whether you’re called to be a pastor, evangelist, prophet,

disciple, etc, we all have a duty to proclaiming the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ who will

soon return. No one person’s call is more important than the other. We must all come into the

fold and exalt the King of kings Rom 12:3-6. “Those who are called accept salvation and enter a

new life in Christ, and they demonstrate their calling in daily life. This means all of us are

divinely called…..” (Rice 1997).2 Once you have received the call and accepted God promises to

2
Richard, Rice, Reign of God (Andrews University Press, 1997), 250.
be faithful until the end 1 Cor 1:9. To be a great leader such was Moses who begged God to not

obliterate the Israelite nation whom stirred the Lord’s wrath Ex 32:10-12, takes self-sacrificing,

and Christ who exudates pure humility, and service. A great leader would have to bear these

same traits of characteristics and willing to give of themselves for the glory of God. “Those are

united to the church should be living, working agents to impact light to these who are in

darkness. They should declare the truth of God revealing His love and faithfulness” (E. G.

White, An Appeal to Our Churches on Behalf of Home Missionary Work 1896)

Ministry Skills and Experiences

I started to really get involve by being in ladies singing group known as

Excelsior. Excelsior singing group would sing in Sabbath service, crusade, and even Sunday

church services by invitations. I got more enthuse with church services about the age of 15 years.

I enjoyed Sabbath afternoon visitations, passing out booklets, praying with families, and Lesson

Study. During this course of time I became team captain of pathfinder club group, preached

about 5 times, later placed as the small Haitian group’s secretary and youth Sabbath school

teacher. I directed the youth Choir for 2 years and lead Sabbath school for half a year. Before

moving to Michigan I was in my second year of being a deaconess. Also was very active with

leading praise team at Salem SDA in Jax, FL for about 8 years. In the year of 2015 the Lord

placed in my heart the desire to start a prayer line and by God’s grace I was able to pull a couple

of committed people together and we started the line known as Ignited Healing Ministry. The

prayer line is still functioning today. I am a very committed intercessor/prayer warrior on the

prayer line. I lead out devotional service every morning from 6am until 6:30a.m some evening

services from 10 until 10:30pm, and I help plan our half day fasting services that are once a
month. While living in Michigan I went to Chicago December 2017 to preach at La Nouvelle

Jerusalem SDA church, and I help with praise and worship at Fil-Am SDA once a month.

Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts as Paul will have it are attributed to our expression of our faith in God.

Paul also encourages us to use our spiritual gifts to serve God in His entire splendor. If

it’s to prophecy, prophecy in proportion of faith, ministry, let us use in ministering,

teaching, exhort, giving, lead with diligence, and be merciful cheerfully Rom 12:6-8. So

in faith, our spiritual gifts have to be directed to the purpose of God in the church. I

believe He is still working on me when it comes to specifying my spiritual gifts.

Although, I have noticed the capability of putting a prayer service together, singing no

matter how early it is in the morning, fearless when it comes to praying, being able to

bring others together to pray or sing to glorify the name of the Lord. I speak Haitian

Creole and English which would be associated with the gifts of tongues. I’ve also noticed

that even as a pre-teen until now people would come to me for advice or suggestions on

matters of life or family. God has always provided me with a word of wisdom to bless

them with. I’ve been able to discern the voice of God while praying on behalf of others

and my family. I am a wife, mother of three and a striving student.

My temperament is that if not engaged in a conversion I keep to myself. I try my

best to treat others as I want to be treated to keep from getting hurt and to show respect. I

am allergic to dishonesty, oppressors, and one way relationships. I have a hard time

dealing with people who just want to suck the life out of me, but will turn their backs

when I need them most. I like to process and pray on a matter before I speak on it. I

detest useless arguments. I am a detailed and visual leader. I don’t like to see anything

I’m involved in get neglected. Once committed, I will give it my all, but I hurt when my

efforts are just not good enough. My hearts grows sore at the suffering of others,

especially when I am unable to do anything in my powers to change their situation.

Growth Need and Ministry Goals

I could really use some help with all the anxiety that I have to deal with when I

have to speak before people, take exams, and my confidence. I have been struggling with

communicating with others. It’s almost as if I’m lost for words and it wrecks my nerves

every time that it happens to me. I want to have the upper hand in the understanding the

gospel to be able to stand boldly before God’s people and teach on His behalf. I don’t

want to be talented, but I want to be spiritually gifted and driven. I want to improve in

scriptural interpretations and delivering the messages. I want to be endowed with the

Holy Spirit to my unloaded potential in the Lord and be an effective member of the body
of Christ. I want to build on relationship with others and with the Lord. I want to be a

soul winner for the Lord in humility, self-sacrificing, and service.

My goals are to excel in public speaking, sermon preparations, spending more

time at Jesus feet, and to be able to minister to those in the world searching or not for a

savior in willingness to follow Christ wherever He leads me. To be more optimistic in

inquiring biblical knowledge, like Sister White in delivering the Lord’s messages to the

world in corruption. I want to further improve my ability to give Bible studies, lead out in

Sabbath school, and studying habits. These goals I know can only be reached by keeping

a closer walk with Jesus daily.

Hucks III, Willif F., Jones, Clifford R. "Ministry ." International Journal for Pastors, 2015: 5-9.
Klingbeil, Gerald A. "Ecclesiology in the Seventh-Day Adventis Theological Research, 1995-2004." A
Brief Introduction and Bibliographical Guide, 2005: 11-29.
https://works.bepress.com/gerald_klingbeil/21/

Rice, Richard. Reign of God. Berrien Springs: Andrews Univeristy Press, 1997.
White, Ellen G. The Acts of the Apostles. Mountain View: Pacific Press, 1911 .
White, Ellen G. "An Appeal to Our Churches on Behalf of Home Missionary Work." 1896: 5.
—. Faith and works. Nashville: Southern Publishing Association, 1979.
1
“’The term “church” can refer to an imposing building who architecture powerfully communicates
something about how close or far away God resides from human beings. “Church” can also be an
abstract institutional entity characterized by boards commissions, synods, or assemblies…….However
“church” is foremost the way we live, pray, worship, study, dialogue, and work together; the church is
made up of people, but has been designed by God and reflects His presence’”(Klingbeil, Ecclesiology in
Seventh-Day Adventist Theological Research, 1995-2004, 11).

2
“‘The Holy Spirit has so shaped matters both in the giving of the prophecy, and in the events portrayed
as to teach that the human agent is to be kept out of sight hid in Christ, and the Lord God of heaven and
His law are to be exalted’”(White, Counsels to Writers and Editors, 65).

3
“‘The occasional need for disciples within the church also calls for organization’”(Rice, Reign of God,
245).

4
“Doing His earthly ministry Christ began to break down the partition wall between Jew and Gentile,
and to preach salvation to all mankind……………’Thus Christ sought to teach disciples the truth that in
God’s kingdom there are no territorial lines, no caste, no aristocracy; that they must go to all nations,
bearing to them the message of a Saviour’s love’”(White, The Acts of the Apostles, 19).