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The Call to MinistryWe have been called to ministry. The effectiveness of what we have been called to however is on a decline and has been since the turn of this century. Although we are seeing church memberships increase (the evidence of this are the numerous mega churches across the globe), the impact however of an identifiable difference of an Apostolic & Prophetic people in the earth, as a whole, is lacking effectiveness.Let me explain further, although membership and interest in church has increased in the 21st Century, the overall effectiveness of the believer has decreased because of a lack of proper equipping of the saints. Church memberships increase while knowledge of Christ decreases, church memberships increase but effective ministry, as the bible defines it, decreases. Church memberships increase but the power and spiritual growth of its members decreases.There are far too many Christians un-prepared for the real battle. Many are still fighting and debating over the elementary issues of walking with Christ and are therefore ineffective in participating in the real battle between the forces of God against the forces of satan.Many are still side tracked by hedonism, being lovers of pleasure. Many seek to be pleased and mask it by saying it is God’s will. Although we know it is God’s will for us to prosper and be prominent, it is not the first thing nor is it a determinate of our spirituality. In the 21st century we have more conferences on money and conferences that entertain the body than we do those things that equip us for end time ministry. There was a time when this was not so.I remember in the 80’s when there was an intense focus on the word of the Lord and many flocked to self proclaimed “Word Churches†They too were soon replaced by charismatic movements. I believe many who initially came to word churches came not because they really wanted to be put under something, (becoming equipped and dressed in the word of truth), but rather came because of the power the word has to draw. However, after the realization of the weight of the word, and the responsibility equipping brings, many became despondent and needed something more and thus churches became entertainment centers. The focus then switched and the church became more focused on how to meet the pleasure needs of individuals rather than their spiritual adorning.Becoming spiritually equipped is a responsibility and its work. It is challenging for both the student, (the one being equipped) and the teacher, (the one assigned to equip). Many leaders and churches avoid this level of adorning the saints because of its inherent challenges. Equipping is up front and in your face. It’s just like being tailored for a suit or dress. The one purchasing the new attire must put it on and the one designed to tailor it, so that it looks good on you, must get personal. They must touch you and affix the garment upon you. They must ask question and define the garment based on the responses. That is challenging spiritually. Often time’s leaders do no want to deal with the issues this type of equipping brings, because it’s involved. Thus many churches never adorn individuals, they simply herd the people in and let the members choose off the rack their own spiritual garments and hope that the word preached is a match. This gives many believers the appearance of being well adorned or equipped, however when you look more closely you will find that it might not be a perfect fit.The reality is that we have more social gatherings in church than we care to admit. We attach a prayer and a purpose to it and call it ministry when it is not.We have been called to ministry. We have been brought into the body of Christ to be equipped. That equipping should come as a result of you being incorporated in position in the body of Christ.And he gave some Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors, and Teachers for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry. We have been called to be impacted, and impacted to the point of perfection, (understanding that this perfection is spiritual maturity). You are called to be impacted by the gifts to the body of Christ. You are called to be apostolic (the rule and government of the teachings of Jesus Christ), to be prophesied to, to become evangelistic in our approach to spreading the gospel. You are assigned to be shepherded and you are supposed to be taught. This is designed for your perfection in the effectiveness of ministry.We have been called to be completely furnished with that which is essential and necessary for the position the church has been called to, in the 21st Century. Our end time ministry is uniquely different from any other time assigned to the people of God. Although there are constants that remain true about spiritual development, there are things uniquely relevant for this church age and it is essential that we get equipped to deal with that which is presently upon the church.What are you prepared to do, Is the question for the 21st century saint. What are you equipped to handle? Are you prepared for that which God is placing into the hands of the 21st Century church? Understanding the 21st Century church is more than a church that exists in the time-frame called the twenty-first century. A 21st Century church is a church that moves in the current power of God in the earth. It is a church that is in the now of God. It is prophetic, both giving and receiving prophecy. It is apostolic, it holds to the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is a church that is God’s witness not just possessing witnessing teams. It is a church that is governed and is neither governmentally influenced nor political. It is a church that follows the shepherd as sheep, not herded like cattle. It is a church that embraces instructions for benefit.We are called to work the office of the church in the 21st Century. The church has been given an office, a position in the 21st Century (a century that is a part of the end-time). We have a specific function and a specific task and I believe, believers assigned to this hour must be properly equipped and adorned for the assignment.APOSTLE NORMA Y. GRAY