What rigorous testing? How do you test Gods calling?
If you have to ask this question, what makes you think you have any credentials for questioning Jim's.
Answered in last post to you. I go by Gods teachings not mans.
A higher credential there isn't.
These tests include attending enquirerer's conferences, 1-1 interviews, counselling sessions, reports from various sources within the candidate's own church and Presbytery.
You mean your minister has to put you forward and that you then attend the interview for suitability where asked to give an account of why you feel God is calling you to the Ministry?
When I went through the process 30-odd years ago, I was interviewed by members of the PCC - I was attending a CofE church at that stage - who made up a ministerial recognition-type panel, and by two or three other groups within the church. I was then interviewed by the minister, who then discussed me with those who had already interviewed me. That process took 6 or 7 months. Only then was my name put forward to the Diocese, and over the next 18 months I had interviews with the folk from their ministerial-recognition panel, sundry other diocesan officers and eventually the Bishop. Only then was my name sent to central CofE office, Church House, recommending me for what was then called ACCM, and is now called a Bishops Advisory Panel. That was an intense 3-day process in itself. Because of circumstances, I had already been interviewed by 2 Theological colleges, both of which had given me a positive report.
This ain't no slap-dash process, Sass. It can last up to 2 or 3 years even before you start one's traing, and even them one is assessed and re-interviewed during that training - itself a further 2 to 3 years - as to one's suitability and appropriate route once ordained.
I am amazed you cannot see why God called fishermen and not priests to follow Jesus....
Not of the Old Covenant but the New Covenant...
So, is this a rant against the concept of ordination, Sass? Against the concept of training people to serve the Lord (something that Jesus eemed pretty hot on
)? Remember that even that hallowed document of yours refers to people being called to various roles within the church - administrators, teachers, apostles, etc., etc.
Your answer shows that you think you can justify your position by the way of man and question my own position which God has already justified to you and all men.
And just how has God justified your position, Sass? Perhaps you could elucidate.
A royal priesthood where we are all priests because we have one high priest and so no earthly priests in the worldly sense are required anymore.
If we seek perfection in any person we won't find it. NOT in you and NOT in I... But in Christ alone will we find our acceptance and perfection. It is the humbling of having no self-righteousness that allows us to examine ourselves and to speak as we feel lead by God.
None of us are exempt....
So a couple of references to 'a royal priesthood' trump Jesus' own clear belief that people had to be prepared for leadership of his Church? Remeber that the Old Covenant priests were there to intercede with God for the people of Israel. That role is definitely not necessary, and I doubt whether Jim regards that as a role he would have to undertake. However, people who are going to teach and have a leadership role still need training.
[/quote]
"My God shall supply ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY THROUGH CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD..."
John 16:13.
John 16:13King James Version (KJV)
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.Jeremiah 31:33-34King James Version (KJV)
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.Where did Christ train? Where did John train? Where did the Apostles train? Where did Paul train? You see the truth of God does not need educated men or trained men.
The fact is the Churches are so dead today because they went their own way instead of Gods way....
You obey God when you believe his words and that comes with actions of obedience and expectation.
King James Bible
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.Distinct isn't it...
9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.No, no mention of theological college or human teachers..
Because Holy men of God NEVER SPOKE of themselves or what man gave them... they spoke the word of God as the Holy Spirit moved them.....
If God was close and felt close to you... you would know God warns those he loves... What next? You going to tell us God is wrong?
