While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off" (Acts 13:2-3, NIV)
7. You must be courageous about carrying out your convictions.
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in noway be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For tome, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:20-21) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you maybe able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:10-17, NIV) For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life not because of anything we have done but because his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time" (2 Timothy 1:6-9, NIV)
Page 4 of PASTORAL MINISTRY - QUALIFICATIONS 1/7/2012 http://test.missionstraining.org/PastoralMinistry/Qualifications.html
