Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ.
i am struggling at the moment. I have had a clear calling on my life for about 5 years now, and over that time the Lord has lead me through life's circumstances, in order to strengthen me for the fulfillment of that calling within the ministry.
Over the last year, the calling to the ministry has deepened and grown, to the point where I have felt compelled 'step out of the boat' and walk forward. On discussing this with my Minister, he advised me to attend a short conference held by the denomination for those who are enquiring into a mnistry. I attended, and with continued prayer, and leading from God I finally applied to enter the first step in the enquiry/discernment process of the denomination. It was not a step i took lightly, and did not move forward until I was absolutely confident, that God wanted me to do it.
The denomination have a rule that to be eligable for selection, or to proceed forward you must have been a member of that denomination for 3 years. However, that waive that rule in certain circumstances and ask you to appeal for the rule to be waived, in writing. I have not been a member of the denomination for 3 years (an impossibility as I relocated to where I live now, 2 years ago), so I appealed and submmitted a piece of writing in support of my application.
My Minister also supported my application in writing to the selection panel.
The outcome was that the panel titled 'Recruitment Task Group' refused to waive the rule and I was turned down as I had not been a member for 3 years. They have told me to reapply in two years time.
I am a mature christian, born again, and bible believeing. I can testify to God's prompting, leading which resulted in applying for Ministry in this denomination(which was as much of a surprise to me)!.
Now i feel disappointed, disheartened, and disillusioned. God has confirmed to me since this decision that I heared correctly from Him, and that I was obedient to Him in applying and responding to His call into the Ministry.
My questions are these:
Can there be times when God says yes, but man places a stumbling block in the way?
Can man made rules and regulations stifle and suffucate God's calling on someone's life, i.e legalism?
Where do I go from here?
It seems to me that in the Bible when God called, commisioned and sent, it was unbelivers who said no. My concern is that these men have placed membership of their denomination above identifying, equipping and helping someone with a true calling to serve and minister? and therefore not acting in accordance with scripture.
i am struggling at the moment. I have had a clear calling on my life for about 5 years now, and over that time the Lord has lead me through life's circumstances, in order to strengthen me for the fulfillment of that calling within the ministry.
Over the last year, the calling to the ministry has deepened and grown, to the point where I have felt compelled 'step out of the boat' and walk forward. On discussing this with my Minister, he advised me to attend a short conference held by the denomination for those who are enquiring into a mnistry. I attended, and with continued prayer, and leading from God I finally applied to enter the first step in the enquiry/discernment process of the denomination. It was not a step i took lightly, and did not move forward until I was absolutely confident, that God wanted me to do it.
The denomination have a rule that to be eligable for selection, or to proceed forward you must have been a member of that denomination for 3 years. However, that waive that rule in certain circumstances and ask you to appeal for the rule to be waived, in writing. I have not been a member of the denomination for 3 years (an impossibility as I relocated to where I live now, 2 years ago), so I appealed and submmitted a piece of writing in support of my application.
My Minister also supported my application in writing to the selection panel.
The outcome was that the panel titled 'Recruitment Task Group' refused to waive the rule and I was turned down as I had not been a member for 3 years. They have told me to reapply in two years time.
I am a mature christian, born again, and bible believeing. I can testify to God's prompting, leading which resulted in applying for Ministry in this denomination(which was as much of a surprise to me)!.
Now i feel disappointed, disheartened, and disillusioned. God has confirmed to me since this decision that I heared correctly from Him, and that I was obedient to Him in applying and responding to His call into the Ministry.
My questions are these:
Can there be times when God says yes, but man places a stumbling block in the way?
Can man made rules and regulations stifle and suffucate God's calling on someone's life, i.e legalism?
Where do I go from here?
It seems to me that in the Bible when God called, commisioned and sent, it was unbelivers who said no. My concern is that these men have placed membership of their denomination above identifying, equipping and helping someone with a true calling to serve and minister? and therefore not acting in accordance with scripture.