#HellurrGuys,
Today, we will be discussing practical tips on how to have a better itinerant ministry.
‘Itinerant’, according to Oxford Languages means ‘travelling from place to place’. Now, let us not be too fancy in this instance. Right now, I’m talking about bus preaching.
Actually, bus preaching is not really for me as a preacher or teacher. I tried it a couple of times in uni (university), was speaking way too much phonetics, missed my bus stop and got lost. Lol. I however do enjoy the messages sometimes, not when I am reading a book or trying to make to do lists or catching up on tasks remotely. But I do love how a line from an itinerant minister could pierce through all of what I am doing, especially if it is a word in season for me, or maybe it was sort of similar what I was studying right before I left home. I do love those confirmation moments!
Bus preachers are not the only kinds of itinerant ministers. But I do know that God grows ministries through a number of factors including faithfulness, obedience to His voice, as well as others.
In light of this, I think that there are some key things to beat in mind when starting and continuing your itinerant ministry journey, as well as when structuring messages and getting ready to bless the world!
1. IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR MESSAGE SOUL WINNING?
If the focus of your message is on soul winning, (that is, leading your audience to Christ) focus on fellowship with God and not the sin consciousness.
I feel like, there might be a misconception that you need to make the effort to give up your sinful ways in order to accept Christ and the free gift of salvation (Disclaimer: I am not advocating doing things that displease God in a way). The truth is that all you have to do is accept the Lordship of Jesus and you get a new spirit (your spirit is able to commune with God and you can enjoy fellowship with Him). Accept that Jesus died for your sins and that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. The righteousness that we might sometimes feel we need to embody so desperately is found simply in accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal saviour. Do not focus on laying a guilt trip, e.g. “This life that you are living, hell fire is waiting for you”. Lol.
Now the focus of this tip is not a debate or anything like that, but just a way to simplify one’s message so that nothing obstructs the goal of soul winning.
2. ADD A LAYER OF THE PROPHETIC TO YOUR MESSAGE
Do you ask for a leading of the Holy Spirit before you embark on your bus preaching or do you go rogue? I don’t there is anything so bad about going rogue as a young christian, since evangelism is the ministry of every christian anyway. But the bible says as many as are led by the spirit, they are the (mature) sons of God (Romans 8:14).
There’s nothing like being blessed by a word in season. A word in season is received when you take a time to hear from God. Pray effectually and fervently. Go on a fast (It is the actual best!) Of course, scriptures will jump right at you, and God will tell you where to go and and what to say. He will direct you to the resources. The prophetic is pretty awesome.
3. IS YOUR FOCUS TO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF THE AUDIENCE TO SOMETHING THAT DISPLEASES GOD
If this is the focus, then ask God for the words and the tools required. Be conscious of any word of knowledge or wisdom that might come your way.
4. DO YOUR REQUIRE FINANCE FOR YOUR MINISTRY?
I am not a full time minister but I can imagine that when one starts out as one or becomes one at some point, this is a serious concern. The first thing is to clearly discern that God has called you to full time ministry. Confirm and reconfirm. If you are in part time ministry, the basic principles of finance and investment also apply to preparing and facilitating your ministry. Either way, have a serious talk with God on the ‘phronesis’ – practical wisdom- for funding your ministry easily.
Secondly, separate your core message from sermons that relate to giving etc. This is because when one has a need, they may feel emotionally connected to messages that relate to their need. When you have separated these two, take them to God and receive the anointing and clarity for your messages.
So let me have your thoughts in the comments section:)
