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Soon after I started pastoring New Growth Unlimited Ministries, Inc. we put on an event entitled “Honoring the Bridges,” the scope of which was to recognize all the elderlies at the church for their longevity of faithfulness, commitment and dedication of service. Because of them we have a place of worship, and we have a ministry of services that’s still in operation. What was ironic about the elderlies was most of them had no title, they were more about the responsibilities than having a title.

As the Pastor of the church that I grew up in I knew we did not get to this present place on our own. It was basically because of the elderly that we are here today at the place of ministry, and it’s our responsibility to critique and maintain it so future generations will have a place of worship and ministry services as well.
Our fore parents paid a heavy price in helping to maintaining a ministry or a place called the church. We, today’s generation, didn’t see the price they paid nor the responsibilities they carried out, however we can only imagine by the responsibilities that’s needed today.

The tiredless work behind the scenes is basically the responsibilities that merits titles. If one has a title, they must carry out the responsibility. This is why one should examine the responsibilities behind the title before accepting the challenge of acquiring the title. 2Peter 1:10 tell us to make sure of our elections\ decision concerning our title\ responsibility.

Responsibilities are designed to bring the benefits to the person\ people who have different needs that have to be filled.

Dr Jeffery Best a Bible college instructor made the statement in one of his classes that I was student in “ministry, is basically God through people helping to meet the needs of people”.

There are in reach ministries and outreach ministries, in reach ministries is the preaching behind the pulpit, and the regular service every Sunday morning. The outreach ministry is the service that goes beyond the walls of the church, the different events carried out and supported by the church.
Even if the church supports other non-profit organizations that benefits the communities, it’s still considered ministry.

Money can buy an elderly person food, however the responsibility in ministry is transporting or delivery, and/or even prepare and serve it.

When one thinks in terms of a title, it’s basically just a name tag that recognizes an individual who can carry out responsibilities. A doctor/nurse has responsibilities in the medical field, A judge or lawyer, a maintence technician in basic repairs and replacements or a pastor in the religious sector. Having these titles merits or should merit the responsibilities.

David explained in Psalms 111:9v. the responsibility God made possible. God provided redemption for us all, and the spiritual power and ability to stay holy, free, and empowered and Jesus delivered all this to us, and the title Holy and Reverend was and still is His name.

This is why I don’t like people to call me Reverend Ham. I cannot redeem any man, I cannot make no man Holy, I cannot die for no man’s sin, not even my own.
Paul explains in Romans 8:29 that God dose predestinate people, this also involves both responsibilities and titles.

God has a mission and a purpose for all of us even before we were born. God is sovereign and has sovereign choice. In other words, God can choose you, equip you, and place you, when this happens the various needs of the people in those places will be met, and this will be done through the responsibilities.
Stewart Ham is the Pastor of New Growth Ministries Unlimited Inc. in Aurora.