Guidance? Advice?

[corymartin2012]

Hello there, and thank you for helping me.

I am a senior in high school this year and have been called to ministry! Amen! And more specifically into a field that has been considered difficult. Apologetics. I do believe this is my calling for many reasons.

1. I am rather smart and enjoy philosophy, science, logic, and various topics ranging like that (praise God for intelligence).

2. I have been blessed with a very good ability to reFute, think quickly and apply realistic explanations to questions.

3. I have been blessed with a presence persay when talking about giving a presentation and other things in front of huge crowds.!

My main thing is, I have no clue where to start? Should I wait until finishing undergrad and grad school to begin? Or should I start researching and preparing now for various things or maybe should I even begin now, (I have given a sermon at my church). Also advice on majors for Bachelors in undergrad and Masters would be appreciated.

 

[Blaine01]

Thank God for your interest in apologetics, it is much needed. Check out reasonstobelieve.org, they have a fantastic web sight that is loaded with information. Get Josh McDowell’s book “New Evidence that demands a verdict”. It is one of the most exhaustive reads I have ever seen. There are many more but I really enjoyed reading his work.
As for a major you need to seek out what interests you, not what interests someone else. Seek the Holy Spirits guidance and He will lead you in the directions He wants you to go.
One thing you need to remember, no matter how strong or persuasive your arguments for Christianity is, it is the Holy Spirit that draws someone to Christ. He will use us, but it is His work that does it, not ours.

 

[actionsub]

I would suggest an undergraduate major in philosophy. It will get you accustomed to the intellectual rigor necessary to do apologetics, not to mention such study will introduce you to the worldviews that you may be called upon to refute via apologetic ministry.

 

[Sanerive]

Integrity, humility, joy, and compassion. These are some character traits that would be greatly beneficial for you to cultivate as pillars to support you in your calling. There's heaps more but those four I felt to specifically mention. Especially for how public and influential apologetics can be. Enrich your life with character growing opportunities by serving (and not just in a Church setting) but perhaps look for ways to serve those who you would never think hang around... Just some advice, it's not a staple requirement for anyone with the same interests.
You can start getting your toes with by some of these things:
1) Gather some solid testimonies from people that you know/ don't know who you see doing now what you feel called to do yourself. This builds faith and begins forming vision.
2) Seek out ways in what your calling in apologetics could look like (ie. sharing sermons in church settings, speaking on public radio, Christian or non-Christian arenas or both, working in a cross-cultural setting)
3) A strong gifting in the area of apologetics ties more so to the office of a teacher, which is one of the five ministries that Paul mentions in Eph 4:11-13. Do you see yourself as a teacher?
4) Work your imagination a bit by seeing what the end result of your calling would bring by the end of your lifetime and begin asking God to "establish your steps" Pro 16:19 as you "commit your way" to Him Ps 37:5, Pro 16:3

Hope this is helpful. I know it's not exactly what you were asking for but bless you regardless!

 

[corymartin2012]

Thank you everyon for your advice. I am having some books ordered by my youth pastor for me to read over and study. I also have been looking into a BA in Psychology with minors in philosophy and in biology. The school will be nearly free with scholarships and aid. Then move on to a Masters in Theology.

Integrity, humility, joy, and compassion. These are some character traits that would be greatly beneficial for you to cultivate as pillars to support you in your calling. There's heaps more but those four I felt to specifically mention. Especially for how public and influential apologetics can be. Enrich your life with character growing opportunities by serving (and not just in a Church setting) but perhaps look for ways to serve those who you would never think hang around... Just some advice, it's not a staple requirement for anyone with the same interests.
You can start getting your toes with by some of these things:
1) Gather some solid testimonies from people that you know/ don't know who you see doing now what you feel called to do yourself. This builds faith and begins forming vision.
2) Seek out ways in what your calling in apologetics could look like (ie. sharing sermons in church settings, speaking on public radio, Christian or non-Christian arenas or both, working in a cross-cultural setting)
3) A strong gifting in the area of apologetics ties more so to the office of a teacher, which is one of the five ministries that Paul mentions in Eph 4:11-13. Do you see yourself as a teacher?
4) Work your imagination a bit by seeing what the end result of your calling would bring by the end of your lifetime and begin asking God to "establish your steps" Pro 16:19 as you "commit your way" to Him Ps 37:5, Pro 16:3

Hope this is helpful. I know it's not exactly what you were asking for but bless you regardless!

That was an amazingly helpful post! Thos four points have been on my mind! And much prayer has been spent over them. I have led a bible study and teach on wednesdays night, one on one and group setting, so I do see myself in a teaching role of types possible. Also the ideas on what mediums to work thorugh towards both Christians and Non Christians. I am working on one and four lol.

The qualities are something else I will strive towards and work on every day. Thank ya'll all.

 

[christiangrowth]

Watch Benny Hinn's Preparation for Ministry on YouTube and also google 'The Dutiful Servant of God' PDF, a FREE Christian Resource which has been a blessing to many in the Body of Christ.

"Beware of pride, for " HUMBLE YOURSELVES therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you" (1 Pet 5:6-7). Take your eyes off your skills (pray against the spirit of pride), and invest your heart and your very being into the sufficiency of Christ.

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled" (2 Cor 10:4-6)

Faith works patience, and is a gift from God by which we receive the salvation of the LORD.

'YOUR ministry' aka YOUR church is of little use to God. The Lord Jesus Christ said " And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt 16:18). This is the only ministry worth serving and reproducing, for Christ has called us pricipally to a ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:14-21), where self is no more, and Christ is all in all!


His preordained pattern of ministry for your life is more important and Christ has laid down the pattern in Matt 4:23-24, 28:18-20; Luke 4:18-19; John 8:28; and the apostles maintained Acts 2:42-46, 5:42

God Bless you

 

[Nartof]

corymartin2012,

I have a similar situation with you, though with a completely different background, and I am curious about what colleges are in your consideration right now.

As for the issue discussed here, I have found a tremendously helpful thread on Puritanboard.
www(dot)puritanboard.com/f49/educating-apologist-58469

I've been reading posts on that forum assiduously these days, and I highly recommend you to do so.