After the licensing…..2 years later

Sub Title: Steps to Self-evaluation

By: Roline Thomas
November 13, 2010
In November 2008 and for the first time in the history of my church St. Mark BC, nine women preached during the Annual Associate Ministers Revival. All nine were licensed on the culminating night, November 12, 2008, as ministers of the Gospel. That faithful night, I identified the women as my “line sisters” and named the group “The St. Mark Nine”, which was inspired by Little Rock’s history making Little Rock Nine.

After receiving a “Happy Anniversary” email from one of my line sisters, I began to ponder my own call, reflecting on the past, present, and future.

Looking back over the past 2 years, I asked the question, “Have I lived up to the call?”

• Have I been devoted to God speaking to Him in prayer and allowing Him to speak to me through His Word?
• Did I do all God wanted me to do?
• Did I faithfully and consistently serve in the ministry of my local church body? What exactly have I done to help build God’s Kingdom?
• Did I serve in excellence by being prepared and dependable, showing up on time, not having a personal agenda, not seeking to be in the spot light but seeking to shine the spotlight on the Savior?
• Was I a minister of integrity by keeping my word and doing that which I said I would do?
• Was I a good minister to my husband and children?
• Did I keep priorities in order---God, Family, church, and then other stuff?
• Did I give unselfishly and sacrificially of my time, my talents and my treasures?

Reflecting on the present I asked myself, “Am I where God wants me to be?”

• Do I consistently spend time with God in prayer and in His Word?
• Based on my conduct today, would people be shocked if I were to tell them I was a minister?
• Has anything (people, places, organizations, or habits) interfered with the development and/or furtherance of my call?
• Am I wasting time and energy doing what God really doesn’t want me to do?
• Am I really called by God? Am I sure about it? Am I afraid to admit I possibly went in the wrong direction?
• Am I a blessing to anyone around me?
• Do people come to me for help (prayer, counsel, etc.)? Am I approachable?
• Are my gifts making room for me? Do I get opportunity to exercise my call? If God has called me to preach there should be someone for me to preach to.
• Am I prepared to minister at any given time?
• Can my family depend on me? Can my church depend on me? Can my job depend on me?
• Am I in the right church? Am I involved in the right ministries?

In regards to the future, I wondered, “What will I do to be a better steward of the call and a better servant of the Most High?”

• Have I set goals for my life and ministry?
• Where do I see God taking me?
• What areas of my life do I need to change?
• What should I do differently that I am doing now?

 Gleaning from what I preached on Wednesday night (11/10/10) --- If someone were to accuse me of being a "Minister of the Gospel" would there be any incriminating evidence? Hmmmmm……