1 Thes. 5:12-13
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; [13] And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Paul tells us to know those who labor among us and who are over us in the Lord. This means that we should really get to know these people. We should understand what their calling is and what God is using them for in our lives. After all, the gift in them and their lives are a gift to us from Jesus Himself. We need to use that gift as God meant for it to be used. Realize that with the ministry gift calling comes an anointing. All people have weaknesses and faults but try to look past those and see the gift that Christ has placed in them. One of the jobs of the ministry gifts is to admonish or gently reprove each of us. Don't be offended if God speaks a harsh word to you through a prophet. Take that word from God and realize that He loves you and has your best interest at heart.

We are to esteem these people highly, not for who they are but for their comittment to the calling of God. The ministry is work. Those that go into the ministry seeking fame and glory soon are disillusioned.

Growing up in the Bible belt, I have seen churches that have treated their pastors horribly. It is not uncommon to see pastors move from church to church all through their career. Many church boards think nothing of running off a minister when they feel he isn't what they want. They can use all kinds of excuses and show no concern to the man of God or his family. This kind of treatment to men and women of God has to grieve the very heart of God. Of course I have seen the exact opposite of this when ministers become high minded and forget the purpose of their calling. The reason for this kind of behavior on both sides is people getting away from the word of God and not walking in the Spirit. There should be a balance in the church, the people who God has entrusted the church to as elders or deacons, should approach their duty somberly and in the fear of God. Ministers also must be self motivated and need to always remember that they are to be a servant to the people.

I have seen prophets that pastor churches and I have seen prophets that have travelling ministries. For a Christian to be well rounded, they need to be exposed to each of the ministry gifts. Pastors should not be afraid to allow prophets to fill their pulpit. As I have stated earlier, there are different administrations of the prophetic gift by different prophets. I have seen some that come to a church and they move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and give a word to each person in the church. Whether they are hearing from God will quickly be evident in this type of ministry because the people in the church know each other and they will know if the prophet is right when they prophesy over an individual. This is an important type of ministry in that we all need a timely, accurate word from God at times in our lives. This is not a ministry that would be effective week after week to the same congregation though. I have also seen prophets that come and teach a timely message to a congregation. This type of ministry is also very important for there may be issues that a congregation is dealing with that the pastor may not see, being so close to the situation. It is easier for the prophet to come and give a teaching and exhortation to a church, especially when it is a sharp rebuke, than it is for the pastor who has to live day in and day out with the members of the congregation.

Prophets should never forget that once they have ministered and moved on, the pastor must live with the congregation. The prophet should respect the pastor's authority and his position over his flock. They should never violate the pastor's trust. They should also be very sure that what they teach is the word of God and is sound doctrine. The prophet should not be a burden to the pastor or to the people of God. We have one instance of the Apostle Paul working to help meet his expenses. This is not God's best though.

Pastors should likewise, understand the prophet's ministry and the needs involved. The pastor should do his best to have the church try and meet the expenses incurred by the prophet. If it is too hard on his congregation to take one offering to meet the prophet's expenses, the pastor should begin taking offerings several weeks before the prophet arrives. The pastor should respect the prophet's authority and gift from Christ. The pastor can learn a lot from listening to the word that God has for each individual in the church or for the word for the congregation.

The people and the pastor of the church are to judge the word of the prophet by the word of God. There may be some things that you don't understand. Seek God about those things and talk to the prophet to see if they can be clarified.

Pastors that have prophets in their congregations should make an effort to meet with them regularly. God has called us to work together. There should never be a sense of competition in the church. We are all working for the same end, edification, exhortation and comfort of the saints.

If you are called to the ministry of the prophet, do all you can to learn of your call. You won't learn it all overnight. I first learned of my call almost twenty years ago and just in the last four or five years has it all began to come together. You can learn much from other prophets and other ministry gifts. Remember that it is the Holy Spirit who takes all of this and makes it work in your life. Your call will not be exactly the same as others because God made you as a unique individual. God needs you because there are people that you can reach for Christ that I can't. Be faithful to the calling in your life and God will be glorified and you and many that you come in contact with will be blessed!

Click Here to read Chapter 1

Click Here to read Chapter 2

Click Here to read Chapter 3

Click Here to read Chapter 4

Click Here to read Chapter 5