How effective are we in our personal ministry?

Let’s look at this very interesting and seldom asked question. Why you ask? Well, if taken and interpreted the wrong way it could be disheartening. Many of us never ask for fear of hearing an answer we won’t like, or amongst the busy-ness of life and ministry there just isn’t time or space to ask it ; or for almost all of us we don’t realise this can be a profitable question to ask !
I’m drawing your attention to this question, as its part of my role as a Prophet (equipping the Saint’s for ministry – Eph.4:12) and my objectives are to help you ; advance in Christ, understand your Ministry role, and help you evaluate your effectiveness in a positive way.For many years I feared this question : ‘How effective is my personal ministry’? I thought it would expose, a lack, a weakness, an immaturity, or the judgement ; ‘you have not done enough in your life’. This type of judgement is true in a works based thinking, world view, but in the Kingdom this question provides and reveals something remarkably different. This question unlocks a secret ; a door to provision, wisdom and opportunity and reminds us our Loving Father is not out to reprimand us, but to love and encourage us. So much so that Hebrews 12:1 says He has put a cloud of witnesses to cheer us on ! Wow ! My prayer is, now that you have the right basis on which to ask this question, you will be able to do so with confidence, boldness and openness and see this as a crucial and vital tool for growing in favour with both God and Men. Just like Samuel did (1 Sam.2:26) and Jesus likewise (Luke 2:52). For it’s only in the open space of being vulnerable and transparent that you will discover the true answer and the answer that unlocks God’s best for you.As mentioned above my role as a Prophet is to equip the saints for ministry (Eph. 4:11-12). So let’s dig into these verses and explore what Paul is saying to his prodigy Timothy, the Church of Ephesus and to us also. Ephesians 4:11,12 (Passion) reads:
And he has appointed some with grace to be apostles, and some with grace to be prophets, and some with grace to be evangelists, and some with grace to be pastors, and some with grace to be teachers. And their calling is to nurture and prepare all the holy believers to do their own works of ministry, and as they do this they will enlarge and build up the body of Christ.

As you will see in these verse’s the word ‘grace’ is mentioned five times and before each role. Paul is relating this back to Eph.4:7-8 (have a read). The truth is Jesus is able to give ‘grace’ to us because He was victorious over the devil on the cross. Yes ! Then Jesus sat down at the right side of the Father and poured out grace in the exact measure each person needed for success in their life and ministry.Our part is ; we need to believe it, receive it, trust in it, and learn to use the grace in the right way. Picture this grace is like oil or water, it was never intended to be stalled and stopped, but to flow and to flow freely. The grace given to you in your life and ministry is not for you to keep for yourself, but to flow through you to feed, grow, equip and give you success with others for the Kingdom.Do you know and fully comprehend ; you are deeply loved, richly valued, greatly treasured and honoured by the Lord ? 
1 Timothy 1:12 (Passion)
My heart spills over with thanks to God for the way he continually empowers me, and to our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, who found me trustworthy and who authorised me to be his partner in this ministry.
1 Timothy 1:14 (Passion)
I was flooded with such incredible grace, like a river overflowing its banks, until I was full of faith and love for Jesus, the Anointed One !
Nb. Emphasis added is mine (grace, his partner)
So when we receive and embrace grace it gives us the ability to do what we could not do in that moment, before. It’s the power, favour, answer and solution we need all in one, that’s only possible when poured out over a person or situation, and to the name, Jesus.Another picture of grace is like applying a super lubrication that makes even the toughest seized up, rusted, old machinery become like new, with no restriction and wear and tear. However it’s only grace when you are intentionally poured out for others in the role appointed by Jesus: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher; or you have been entrusted with the responsibility of a ‘gift’ from the Spirit. As 1 Cor.12 says, it is the same measure given to all by the grace of God. This grace is to be poured out to equip His children for both life and ministry here on earth. For in life there are ways to evaluate how things are working, what changes are needed ; for this evaluation is not to bring condemnation, but to bring forth greater growth and more effectiveness in our walk and relationship with God and with man.
So with a deeper understanding, its back to our original question, our starting point : ‘How effective am I in my ministry’ ? To help you personally go deeper and receive greater revelation from the Holy Spirit, I’ve included a few thoughts, and each starts with; ‘if you’re called to bea’ :
* Apostle, great, when was the last time you taught someone how to release heaven here on earth?* Prophet, great, when was the last time you taught someone how to hear the Lords voice for themselves?* Evangelist, great, when was the last time you taught someone to lead people to Christ, through the heart of the Father?* Pastor, great, when was the last time you taught someone how to disciple others?* Teacher, great, when was the last time you taught someone how to teach the word of God, so they are ready in all seasons to preach and teach about Jesus in a loving way?Now if you’re reading this and thinking ; oh my, never, not for a while or similar, then know that you are not alone, but the conviction or prompting of the Holy Spirit is there to encourage you to start using the grace that’s been given to you correctly and intentionally, so that you can operate more effectively in your role and ministry.Often there is a misunderstanding of what these roles are for. I can’t count the number of times I have been called upon to prophecy in meetings, or give a word in season to a corporate body or individual. I happily do this, but these play only a small part of my overall role as a Prophet. I love sharing prophecies, discernment etc and do it as witness of my relationship with Christ but it’s not my main role. The main role is to be teaching and equipping others to also do this so that we can collectively be the most effective the Lord has called us to be. 1 Cor.12:11 (Passion)
Remember, it is the same Holy Spirit who distributes, activates, and operates these different gifts as he chooses for each believer.
In reading this verse I know that if I am not using the gifts given to me by the Holy Spirit, then I am not being responsible with the grace that’s been given to me. This is the same for you. Whatever gift the Holy Spirit has given you, you are responsible to use it, encourage others with it, and be a witness of Christ. I tend to think this will be what we will be judged on in the last days! This could be what decides your vocation in heaven or on the new earth in the future.Let’s go back to the Five Fold Ministry Roles and expand on them to help you in your role : Apostle – changing the atmosphere or bringing heaven to earth is a start but not the destination. Your main role is to equip and teach others so they too can change atmospheres and bring heaven to earth.Prophet – hearing from the Lord, and then passing this wisdom and understanding on is a must, but not the destination. Your main role is teach and equip others so they can hear, discern, and know what to do with what the Lord is saying.Evangelist – leading people in the community and market place to Christ regularly is a start, but not the destination. Your main role is teaching and equipping others so they too can lead people to know the living God. Also to be equipping people to be ready in all seasons, and sharing revelation as to what Jesus was saying about the harvest being ready. Read this in Mat.9:38.Pastor – shepherding and discipling is a must, but not the destination. Your main role is teaching and equipping people with the skills needed to shepherd and disciple others in Christ. This is the foundation of your role.Teacher – Being fully grounded in the word and to teach it is essential, but not the destination. Your main role is to teach and equip others to know how to teach the word and to be strong and steady in the word. 
Do you see the common phrase or theme from the Father? First we are taught and equipped, then we are to teach and equip others in the name and heart of Jesus, and all to advance the Kingdom. Currently I am working on a book, that hopefully when completed will explain in greater depth, the roles in the church, market place and family.So if you’re up for a challenge, grab your notebook !

1. Ask the Lord the question as openly, honestly, humbly and clearly as you can. ‘Father how effective am I in the ministry you have given me’ ?Write down what He tells you.2. Ask the Lord this second question. ‘Father how effective am I in my role, or with the gifts You have given me’ ?
Write down all He tells you.3. Ask Him to teach you how to be more effective ! 4. Take time with the questions above allowing the Lord to reveal, revive, restore, refresh and release to you all He wants to say.5. Put a regular ‘check-up’ space in your prayer life, on the effectiveness of your ministry.
6. Find an accountability partner. Ask the Lord for someone who you can be real, vulnerable and transparent with regarding how effective you are in your gifts, role and ministry.
7. Thank the Lord for all He has done. He is the one equipping, helping, teaching and encouraging you to be all you can be.
Let’s Pray
Father, thank you for Your words in season for Your people ; to help them to truly step up and out in the world and to see it change and be transformed, through You. We ask that Your children have a greater understanding of how to operate in their roles and gifts You have given them. And that as a result we will see our grace ministries functioning in oneness, in faith and experience the fullness of what it means to know the Son of God, and walk in spiritual maturity, fully developed in the abundance that is You.
In Jesus’s name. Amen