Ministry Leadership by Pastor Billy R. Long

!!

Ministry Leadership

is all about

INTEGRITY: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness,

the state of being whole and undivided, internal

consistency, lack of corrup

! Table of Contents

!Introduction.page 4

!Chapter 1. Giving God Honor ..page 8

!Chapter 2. Ready for the Master.page 12

!Chapter 3. Personal Matters.page 19

!Chapter 4. Relationship Rules.page 31

!Chapter 5. Rest and Renewingpage 51

!Chapter 6. Finances and Integrity.page 55

!Chapter 7. The Anointing..page 63

!Chapter 8. Quitting is Not an Option..page 70

!About the Authorpage 78

2014 e-published by www.servissmissions.org

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Ministry Leadership By Pastor Billy R. Long

!

Introduc

!Ma#hew 7:21-23

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the

kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in

heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not

prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in

thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto

them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

(All scriptures are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted.)

Your rst call is actually your purpose which is to learn about and

come to know God. The key to doing the will of the Father is found in

knowing the Father. Know and experience Him, then you will discover

what His calling is specically for your life.

The previous scripture makes it clear that doing the will of the Father is

in

2 Corinthians 4:6-7For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath

shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of

God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen

vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

This is the priceless treasure you carry! Christ in you, your earthen

vessel.

As you prac

Chapter 1. Giving God Honor

!What is honor? Do you honor God? You should, and you probably

think you do. How do you honor another person? The following

scriptures tell a story of honor and dishonor. Keep in mind that you

can learn from the mistakes of others.

1 Samuel 2:12-17 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.

(17) Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the

LORD: for men abhorred the oering of the LORD.

1 Samuel 2:22-24Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and

how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the

tabernacle of the congrega

raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in

mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he

shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

These are heavy words and a lot to digest. So, how do you honor God?

You honor God by puing Him rst. You honor Him with genuine

worship, a good aitude, work ethic, obedience, giving

friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his

lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard

of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but

I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth

fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of

the Father in my name, he may give it you.

God uses a covenant term when He calls us friends it reveals Blood

Covenant rela

willing to hear what mature elders have to say to you. Be faithful in

even the small responsibili

Chapter 2. Ready for the Master

!You need the Spirit and the Word. Your direc

John 5:30 (Amp) I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord

but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear,

I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so

I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I

do not seek or consult what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own

purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me. My

own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim,

My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent

Me.

Follow the example Jesus gave. Rely on Him, listen for His voice, and

live from that place. As you do, the grace of God will be proven in you.

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore being jus

Since God calls you to minister to His sheep (people), He wants you to

understand and care for them, not to eece (steal) from them. If they

hurt, pray for them and show compassion. If they are having a tough

heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession

(confession). For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our inrmi

kill, and destroy, and lastly, you experience trials just by living on earth

in its fallen state.

Jesus, your example and high priest of your confession, has gone

through hard things; and He has been tested in all points like you are,

yet without sin, so He knows how to relate, to understand the things

that you go through and encounter in life. He understands and has

compassion, but because He did not sin, He alone was worthy to

become your Redeemer and Savior. He is making intercession for you

today!

Stay connected and dependent on Jesus. Come condently to Jesus

with your words to get the mercy and grace for your own trials and

needs. In doing so, you show others how to rely on Jesus, hold fast to

their confession, and overcome. Always live transparently and

authen

age; they shall be fat and ourishing; To show that the Lord is upright:

he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Every

might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol],

says the Lord of hosts.

Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward

parts of the belly.

Psalm 18:28 For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my

darkness.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge thee (you personally) therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus

Christ, who shall judge the quick (alive) and the dead at his appearing

and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant (stand by at hand, be

ready) in season (favorable or unfavorable), out of season; reprove

(show people where they are wrong), rebuke (correc

Chapter 3. Personal MaLers

!You should always be growing and maturing in your obedience to God.

To grow means to change. Romans 12:1-2 says, Present your bodies

a living sacrice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable

service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed

by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good,

acceptable, and perfect will of God. Every

My calling to the ministry came a year later at age fourteen. At

that moment, I was ready to preach; so I thought. God spoke to me

in an audible voice, which was very powerful but has not

happened since. The Holy Spirit then led me to Scriptures to

conrm and give a basis for my call to ministry.

Ma#hew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto

me in heaven and in earth. Go ye (you personally) therefore, and teach

(make disciple of) all na

I also trained in ushering for another four years in my home church

and Bible school, taught Sunday School classes, and drove a bus to

take students to church. My largest crowd to preach to at that

There may be tests down the road that may shake you to your very

founda

stands or falls. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him

stand.

1 Samuel 16:7b ... for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward

appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.

You will be tested in the eld of experience. Your training, serving, and

obedience prepare you for what God has for you. You are in the

people business for God to serve Him as His representa

So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who

separates himself from contact with contamina

Your reason to serve as a minister of Jesus Christ must come from a

heart of pure love for Him, not selsh ambi

her character destroyed. Worst of all, evidently no one reached

out to her in love with the intent of restora

walked in true love to save these people? Who cared and showed

love?

No part of this story seems to show the love of God at any crucial

point. For the record, this happened decades ago but it is not

without mul

this in love and sincerity. If you are not under authority and

accountable to those who are, then you have no authority. A body

needs all its parts to func

1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a

witness of the suerings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that

shall be revealed: Feed the ock of God which is among you, taking the

oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for lthy lucre

(money), but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's

heritage, but being examples to the ock. And when the chief Shepherd

shall appear, ye (you personally) shall receive a crown of glory that

fades not away.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are

passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus

Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconcilia

10 Commandments of Ministry

1) Ministers have one wife or one husband. Your emo

shoulder or head. If permission is given, lay hands on him lightly.

Men, you must be careful in touching other men as well - always

ask rst. The

7) Do not use drugs, tobacco, strong drink, or anything else that

would bring discredit on Gods work or a snare to a brother or

sister.

8) Do not talk about other ministers in ways that destroy their

character or ministry.

9) Men, do not be alone with any woman except your wife.

Women, do not be alone with any man except your husband. If

you need to counsel a member of the opposite sex, take your

spouse with you or a trusted, spiritual friend.

10) Do not travel alone with members of the opposite sex. Such

ac

2) Do not yell at her, throw things at her or hit her: that is abuse.

Never ridicule her. Do not cri

5) Mind the liLle things in your marriage. Small things like taking

a walk, going on a drive, going to the park, planning a picnic

where the two of you can be together and talk, make such a

huge dierence. These are not necessarily

trauma of losing a spouse but I am keeping my part with God and

going forward. I give Him all the glory!

If a man or woman of God does not have their marriage right, then a

lot of other things will be out of order, and not working right. Lets

look at Gods instruc

the streets? [Conne yourself to your own wife] let your children be for

you alone, and not the children of strangers with you. Let (thy) your

fountain [of human life] be blessed [with the rewards of delity

(faithfulness)], and rejoice in the wife of your (thy) youth.

Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant (roe) doe [tender, gentle,

aLrac

Hebrews 13:4 (Amp) Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great

price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed

be undeled (kept undishonored); for God will judge and punish the

unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous.

! Restoring a Minister and Protec

Concluding Thoughts: You must always take a stand for righteousness

and make a stand against unrighteousness. It is not good to ignore a

leaders sin and fail to hold him or her accountable, that sin has a way

of permea

1 Corinthians 10:12 (Amp)

Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a

steadfast mind and is standing rm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].

Receive Gods Word with humility. Plead the Blood of Jesus over your

home and marriage, and do everything you can to keep it strong, safe

and protected. Your family is your precious treasure. Keep yourself

pure.

Psalms 119:9

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed

according to thy Word.

Star

A church plant may not be possible, but the pastor may receive an

oering for you, have the church pray for you, and/or release you to

your assignment with pastors blessing. Regardless of the decision,

keep a sweet spirit.

If you are part of a church and leave to start a new work be wise

enough to put some considerable distance between the church you

lek and the one you are star

We need to cover other ministers and churches with our prayers and

love. Pray for God to bless them and help them win souls to Jesus

Christ. We ministers have enough to ght in the world without gh

The Word, The Spirit, and The Glory

Speak the Word only, that is what the centurion said to Jesus. The

centurion knew that if Jesus said it, it was as good as done! If you are

in a situa

Let me share an unusual experience that happened in a prayer

line. The anoin

Guard against taking credit for what God does through you. Many

good people have been caught in spiritual pride and ruined their

ministry. Do not take the glory that belongs to God. Do not allow the

focus to be on what you have done or how God has used you, because

that puts the light on you and God does not share His glory. Walk with

God in humility, so He may minister through you

Chapter 5. Rest and Renewing

!You need to make

empty and you are running on fumes before you make yourself a

priority.

When you cannot hear the Holy Spirit trying to get your aLen

Presence of God and hear fresh words to encourage and inspire you

both.

Ministers retreats/conferences are also

Chapter 6. Finances and Integrity

!Finances is an area lled with hazards and peril for far too many

people. Dealing with money requires utmost honesty and integrity.

Any person in the ministry is expected to be above reproach in

handling nances. And they should be. Ministers must have the

highest character and integrity when it comes to dealing with money.

Gods blessing is directly connected to the

but that is not wise or above reproach. Also, a faithful and competent

treasurer should be used to keep nancial records so an open and

honest repor

to be trustworthy and honorable. This is wrong. When a minister

prepares and gives to the people what God has given him or her,

that is worth something. If Jesus or someone represen

thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

For it is wriLen, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall

give account of himself to God.

A few other pastors at churches I ministered at, instructed their

children to give because they did not want to involve the church

budget to help us. It was hard to not be biLer and cynical, but God

helped my wife and I to forgive the people that stole from us.

Most pastors, God bless them, considered all the work we did and

gave us good oerings that met our expenses. Some oerings

exceeded our expenses which was a true blessing to us.

So when you have ministers come, receive an oering for them. Put

them in the church budget and bless them. Dont be s

how to hear Gods voice for themselves, to be generous, and to discern

the ministries that are pure and deserve their support. God wants you

to be moved and directed by His Spirit, not by emo

Acts 20:35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support

the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It

is more blessed to give than to receive.

1 Corinthians 3:9-15 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are

God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as

a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the founda

stood back and allowed them to grieve together. Later I learned

that Holy Spirit ministered to that family, it was a moment that

they really needed. He knew that.

Communing with God privately, simply wai

determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and

him crucied. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much

trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with en

make people around you hungry for the presence of God - when you

are! You become contagious and you will not just have to say you are

anointed people will see it and sense it. They will then step into that

atmosphere and experience the power of God.

Open your services with music that liks up Jesus. See how Holy Spirit

is moving and then ow with Him. There will be

2 Corinthians 1:20-22, 24 For all the promises of God in him (Christ) are yea, and in him (Christ)

Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Now he which establishes us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is

God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest (down payment)

of the Spirit in our hearts Not for that we have dominion over your

faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye (you personally) stand.

!I had an experience that taught me a lot. It was a period when

God had been moving by His Spirit and expecta

I learned the hard way not to quench the Spirit or despise

prophesyings.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were

assembled together; and they were all lled with the Holy Ghost, and

they spake the word of God with boldness.

When Holy Spirit moves, His power can manifest in dierent ways.

In the Early Church, the building they were in shook when they prayed.

Imagine that! The anoin

You now have the ministry of Jesus and are commissioned to do the

same things in His Name, to His glory! Jesus depended on the power

of God and the anoin

1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the

victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is he that

overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put o concerning the former conversa

take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye (you personally) may be

able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on

the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the

prepara

Keep yourself built up in the Word of His grace which consecrates,

puries, and transforms your soul. In doing this you will be ready and

able to protect, feed, and guide the Lords church which He obtained

with His own blood.

Acts 20:28-32Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the ock, over the

which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of

God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

For I know this, that aker my depar

be somewhere, keep your word. Gods ministers should be people

who do what they say, even if it costs them something.

You will give account for your ac

!Wind of the Spirit

!Ride the Wind of the Spirit, fulfill your God-ordained destiny,

For this you were created, something only you are able to do.

Your uniqueness was by design, no other person is exactly like you.

Ride upon the Wind of the Spirit, allow your part to bring glory to God.

!Let the Spirit quicken you, lifting you out of the mundane morass,

Lifting you up on wings as eagles, soaring above to spiritual heights,

Allowing the Light of His Glory to submerge you into the Spirits power.

Its not by might, nor by power of man, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.

!For God who commanded the Light to shine out of the darkness, hath

Shined in our hearts, to give us the Light of the knowledge of the Glory,

The very Glory of God, in the face of the very person of Jesus Christ, the

Glorious Son of God, imparted to us by faith in His Redemptive work.

!So that we have this Treasure in earthen vessels, in mortal men

For by His grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves,

It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast, but His workmanship

That the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us, created in Christ Jesus.

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!Allow the Wind of the Holy Spirit to lift you in His anointing power, so

That the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ may shine into the minds,

Of those who are in spiritual darkness, and that they may see Christ who is the

Image of God coming to shine unto them, removing their spiritual blindness.

!He gives power to the faint, and to them that have no might, He increases strength,

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew, exchange, trade in, their strength.

They shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk, and not faint, but live in demonstration of the Spirit and power.

! September 28, 2013 by Billy R. Long

!!!!

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About the Author

!Pastor Billy R. Long was born in Corpus

Chris