Practical Pastoring, Book Four, Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Relying on the Holy Spirit is paramount to serving as a pastor. When opening a worship service, I invite the Holy Spirit to move amongst us. I pray for the worship team as they lead the congregation during praise and worship time. This spiritual progression begins by being thankful and then transitions to praise. It concludes at a place of absolute worship to the King. This worship progression begins in the outer court, transitions to the inner court and culminates at the Holy of Holies.

Sometimes the presence of God is substantial, sensed even by those who have hardened their hearts to the Lord. At other times, the manifestation of God’s presence may appear to be lacking. However, when someone speaks under the unction of the Holy Spirit, those with discernment recognize the still small voice of the Holy Spirit flowing through a spirit filled human being.

When serving as a pastor, you will likely encounter the good, the bad, and the ugly demonstrations during a church service. Ernie Chadwick said, “Sometimes you have to put up with a little wildfire” in reference to how people in attendance may behave when the Holy Spirit moves in a service.

In a previous book, I mentioned the extremely short honeymoon I experienced when I was called to pastor the Ark Church. In his letter, Dan mentioned that I would be tested in reference to wanting the gifts of the Spirit more than the Giver of the gifts. The testing occurred shortly after I became a pastor.

I chose to suspend the prayer time at the conclusion of several services when there were people in attendance who preyed on others. Prayer time can be extremely personal. It is possible to take a good thing and turn it into something unpleasant. I was embarrassed by the behavior of some who attended the Ark Church. I honestly did not want my friends to attend the church, fearing they would identify the church with God and want nothing to do with Him.

When hideous things are happening during church, remember we war not against flesh and blood, but remain engaged in a spiritual battle. God used one woman in the group of dissenters to test me. Could I still receive a word from someone who was behaving badly? She told me during worship time that I was not supposed to use my notes for the sermon. I had studied and prepared prior to the service, so I trusted God and preached without my notes that day. The message went well. Whether she was trying to trap me into failing or whether she actually heard from God that day does not necessarily matter. I trusted God and the congregation was blessed.

The message this woman had for me may have been a word from God or it may have been from her flesh. I choose faith during church services. Jesus has never failed me. I have failed in many things. Jesus never fails.

Some of the congregation members who really turned ugly were also those who spoke in another tongue (a prayer language). Just because someone has a spiritual gift does not make them a true spiritual believer. Remember, the Bible teaches that Jesus trusted no man.

The more I pastor, the more I learn. The gifts of the Spirit are wonderful and extremely useful when new believers or unbelievers begin to attend church. When a congregation matures, I hope that it does not rely on the feelings that come when a manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit materializes.

Some people chase spiritual experiences and manifestations of the Spirit. I teach that the gifts should be coming to us when the timing is right.

God is a God of order. Things should be done decently and in order during a worship service. Order does not suppress the Spirit. I believe order helps invite the Spirit to move.

It takes time to learn when the Spirit is leading you and when your flesh is attempting to control you. Be a man who is led by the Holy Spirit. This will encourage others in their faith walk.

There will be times when you receive a scripture to share with someone. This impression may be a word of knowledge. Ask the Lord for wisdom to know the proper time to share this scripture.

I have both received and ministered healing during services. I once had to ask two people to leave a church service. They were not being polite and respectful. The people had been behaving badly. An elder and I discerned that we were in a spiritual battle. Those two people left in anger. Typically as pastors we are so nice and kind that we forget that we are in a battle. Remember, the battle belongs to the Lord. Continue to walk in the authority God has given you.

I often pray that God will bring into the Ark Church those He wants in, keep out those He wants out, and retain those members He wishes to retain. When people leave, release them. It is His church. You and I are stewards of what He has given us. I prefer to displease people rather than to displease God.

Learning how to be a true spiritual Christian is a dynamic process. When you think you have God figured out, He will humble your thinking.

Avoid the sin of presumption. People continue to try to manifest spiritual things in the natural. Just because I say something, does not mean it is true or that it will happen. Yes, the Bible teaches we shall have what we say. The Bible, however, does not contradict itself. Make sure what you are saying aligns itself with the Bible.

I am still learning about God and His plans for my life and the Ark Church. If God chooses to spend your life in a remote location serving a small flock, then embrace His plan. If He chooses to build your church into a big church, then do not be afraid of promotion. While you are small, do not think less of yourself or your church. There are many “suddenlies” in the Bible. God may use spiritual gifts to bring some “suddenlies” to fruition in your life.

——

Kevin Barsotti of the Ark Church

——

This article is part of “Practical Pastoring: Mentoring Growth Letters from a Senior Pastor to a New Pastor, Book Four.” The author responds to his pastor’s letters to him from 20 years ago when he began his pastoral journey.