Preparation for a Full Proof Ministry

PREACHER’S CORNER

Preparation for a Full Proof Ministry By Suffragan Bishop C. Shawn Tyson

[5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. - 2 Timothy 4:5 KJV

In retrospect, it seems hard to believe that it has been thirty-seven years this June since I first stood behind the sacred desk as a young, zealous, on fire for God, 18-year-old preacher fresh out of high school and delivered what was called my “trial sermon.” Having traveled from coast to coast and to various parts of the world carrying the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, it has now become both my privilege and responsibility to share just a few insights with the coming generation of ministers concerning the foundational tenets that have allowed me to experience both longevity in the ministry and what, I pray, shall be continued relevance.

Preparation for Ministry

It has been said, and I believe it to be true, that “those who fail to prepare, are preparing to fail.”

I shall never forget the time I had the profound privilege of taking the early, great, Former Presiding Bishop James Archie Johnson to the airport after he had ministered at Christ Church Apostolic in Indianapolis. I vividly recall attempting to extract from Bishop Johnson’s brain every nugget of wisdom I could in that 20-minute ride from the Hilton Hotel downtown to what was in 1983, Weir Cook airport.

Being a man full of grace and wisdom, Bishop Johnson imparted a number of principles to me that I adhere to, to this day. But his last statement to me as he shook my hand and looked intently into my young, 18-year-old eyes were words I shall never forget, “Brother Shawn...prepare yourself; your day shall come!”

It was from that moment on that I took to heart the instruction of the Bishop and began the intensive process of preparing myself spiritually, academically, mentally, vocationally and emotionally for what would become a ministry that has taken me to places I could not have imagined as an 18- year-old, young minister.

As most of you know, I am the youngest son of one My father had a saying that I’ll share with you. He said, of Pentecost’s most revered and legendary leaders, our “The most dangerous creature on the face of the earth is former Assistant Presiding Bishop, the early, great Son of a prayer-less preacher, because the preacher has the ear Thunder, Bishop James Edison Tyson. Being the son of a of the people, but without PRAYER, he won’t have the Son of Thunder gave me the opportunity to study the mind of God.” ~JET habits of one of the most prolific preachers and teachers of the 20th century. For the sake of the souls of mankind, a deceived generation and a nation on the fast track to hell, There are many attributes my father possessed that I Apostolic ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ must could share with you that contributed to him being one spend more time on the altar than we do on the golf of the most astute and powerful orators and pulpiteers course. We must spend more time in prayer meetings of his era, but the one I MUST share with you in terms than we do in board meetings. We must spend more of personal preparation was his almost obsessive time on our knees so that we may have power from commitment to READING. It was rare to ever find Bishop heaven when we stand upon our feet. James Edison Tyson without a book in his hand in what we would call our “down time.” There is NO SUBSTITUTE, no program, no community initiative, no college degree, and no conference track He only watched enough television to keep abreast of the that can take the place of the time a preacher must latest news and world events. He was a huge boxing fan. spend in prayer preparing his spirit, mind and body to So, if Muhammad Ali was fighting, he would watch the champ fight. He was also a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. So, if the Steelers were playing during Monday “ The most dangerous creature on be the conduit through which God speaks. [36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape Night football, (definitely not Sunday Night, LOL) he would watch them. But other than that, whenever he was not working, counseling, administrating, taking care of the various needs of the church, the the face of the earth is a prayer-less preacher...” all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36 KJV) Other than my father, the Honorable Bishop Clifton Jones is largely responsible saints, his Diocese and the PAW at large, he was - JET for impressing this critical priority of prayer upon reading. my soul and mind. I would encourage you to read every book he has written on the subject of prayer as it will He read books on just about every subject you could change both your priorities and your preaching. imagine, which contributed to his ability to speak on a wide range of subjects with depth and authority. He also I leave you with the words of our beloved Bishop James read the greatest book of all time from cover to cover “A-1” Johnson: “Prepare yourself! Your day shall come.” EVERY YEAR...the Bible. Let us walk worthy of the vocation wherein we have been called and remain true to the truth of the Apostolic My beloved colleagues in the Gospel, it is imperative that Doctrine. May the grace of God be with you all. as part of our preparation to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Google generation (that is fact checking Carpe Diem!! you in real time while you preach), that we do as Paul told Timothy, “give attendance (priority) to reading.” +C. Shawn Tyson, D.D. There are so many other things I could share with you as Website:Cstministries.com ministers of the Gospel in terms of preparation but in the Email: Cstministries@gmail.com interest of the brief space I have left in this presentation, Facebook: C Shawn Tyson let me share with you what I believe to be the preeminent Insta:Cshawntyson spiritual discipline of preparation for any serious minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: the discipline and privilege of PRAYER.