The body of Christ of First Baptist Church of Weslaco, recognizes that as a person who serves in the ministry, you are specially called by God. Hebrews 5:4 After you were qualified by God, you were granted authority from God to be a minister and ambassador of Christ. In this capacity, you are specially protected by God. Isaiah 6:5-7; 2 Corinthians 3:5-6; 2 Corinthians 10:8; 1 Corinthians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 5:20; 2 Corinthians 1:10 You are a servant of Christ’s people who has been entrusted with the Gospel as a defender of the faith. 2 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; Philippians 1:7 As a servant of Christ, you are required to preach the Gospel to all, including the messages of Christ crucified, and of repentance and faith. These messages must be constantly and faithfully proclaimed with good will and love everywhere – fully and without reserve – with boldness and zeal. Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:17; Acts 8:5,35; 1 Corinthians 2:2; Acts 20:21; Acts 6:4; 2 Timothy 4:2; Ezekiel 3:17,18; Philippians 1:15-17; Mark 16:20; Acts 8:4; Rom 15:19; Matthew 10:27, 28; 1 Thessalonians 2:8 You must build up the church, feed the church and strengthen the faith of people under your ministry. You must watch for the souls under your care and seek the salvation of your flock. At times you must comfort them. At times you must praise them. At times you must warn them affectionately. At times you must rebuke them. At all times, you must pray for them. 2 Corinthians 12:19; Ephesians 4:12; John 21:15-17; Luke 22:32; Acts 14:22; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Corinthians 10:33; 2 Corinthians 1:4-6; Titus 1:9; 2:15; Acts 20:31; Titus 1:13; 2:15; Joel 2:17; Colossians 1:9 In order to fulfill your ministry, you must follow the seven guiding principles set forth in 2 Timothy 2:1-26. Specifically: Teacher – You must be a disciple-making teacher who is apt to teach in order to convince those who contradict. 2 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24; Titus 1:9 Loyal – You must be a sacrificing soldier who is willing to fight the good fight. 2 Timothy 2:3-4; Isaiah 6:8; 1 Peter 5:2; 2 Timothy 4:7 Disciplined – You must be a committed athlete who serves as an example to the flock. You must be devoted, strong in grace and self-denying. You must be pure , sober, just and temperate. You must always act without deceitfulness, and you should never be greedy of dishonest gain. You must be strict in ruling your own family. You must not be entangled by cares. 2 Timothy 2:5; Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:12; Acts 20:24; Philippians 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 2:1; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Is 52:11; 1 Timothy 3:9; Titus 1:8; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2; 1 Timothy 3:3,8; 1 Timothy 3:4, 12; Luke 9:60; 2 Timothy 2:4 Faithful – You must be an enduring farmer who is patient, able to endure hardness and not easily dispirited. 2 Timothy 2:6; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:24; 2 Timothy 2:3; 2 Corinthians 4:8,9; 6:10 Skilled – You must be an accurate craftsman who is studious and meditative and watchful. You must be impartial and disinterested. At the same time, you must be hospitable and affectionate to the people in your care and should avoid giving unnecessary offense. At the same time you must not be a man-pleaser. You must not set forth yourself and you must not be a lord over God’s heritage. 2 Timothy 2:14-19; 1 Timothy 4:13, 15; 2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Timothy 5:21; 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:6; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; Philippians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:8,11; 1 Corinthians 10:32, 33; 2 Corinthians 6:3; Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Peter 5:3 Holy – You must be a usable vessel who is holy, prayerful and blameless. 2 Timothy 2:21-22; Exodus 28:36; Leviticus 21:6; Titus 1:8; Ephesians 3:14; Philippians 1:4; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7 Humble – You must be a peaceable bond-servant who is humble and gentle. You should not be contentious or crafty 2 Timothy 2:23-26; Acts 20:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:7; 2 Timothy 2:24; 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7; 2 Corinthians 4:2