Getting the Help You Need

When I started my ministry, my whole team was just my wife and me. Before I asked her to marry me, I made sure she understood that God had called me to preach His Word. I believed my main role would be as an international missionary, so I wanted to know she was willing to go wherever God led me. She didn’t hesitate for a second. If she had, I might not have asked her to marry me. But she quickly said she would go wherever God guided and do whatever He commanded. I knew she was the one called to stand by my side as I followed God's plan, and she has always been my top team member.

If you are single and called to ministry, it’s crucial to determine before marriage whether your future spouse is willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill God’s calling on your life. I know many whom God called, but their ministries were derailed because their spouses pulled them in a direction opposite to God’s plans and purposes. My wife is exactly what the Bible describes she should be, and one of those qualities is my “help meet.” (Genesis 2:18) Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. However, building a large ministry or doing whatever God calls you to may require other helpers. Where do you find them, and what do you do when some stay, but others leave?

Begin with Prayer

My entire ministry was born out of prayer. I spent weeks, hours at a time, beneath our dining room table, praying in tongues about God’s mysteries. One day, it felt as if Jesus Himself was sitting with me under that table, and I began to interpret what I had prayed in tongues, revealing where I was meant to receive my ministerial training and the kind of ministry God had prepared for me.

So, if you need anything, including help in your ministry, start with prayer. If you need more money, additional help, or want to grow your congregation, stay faithful to what God has called you to do and pray!

Don’t be discouraged if your numbers aren’t in the thousands. Just stay faithful to preach God’s Word, do what He tells you to do, and keep praying in the Spirit. I know of a pastor who led 200 people for 20 years. It seemed like the church never grew, but he remained faithful in work and prayer. Then, one day, his congregation grew from 200 to 2,000. It looked like it happened suddenly, but it was the result of 20 years of faithfulness and prayer.

People Who Leave

Every church experiences attrition. Sometimes, God calls people to move or change their home church, but other times it’s just their flesh. They might have gotten angry at something you preached (probably because it hit too close to home), had a falling out with another member, or need to move out of state, making the trip every week impossible.

Faith Leader, your responsibility is only for those who remain. You cannot control anyone, nor can you speak into the lives of those who have already decided to distance themselves from your ministry. Take care of the sheep in your flock and release those who go. If they left because of God’s guidance, let them go. If they left for the wrong reasons or missed God, let them go. Every local church has specific assignments, and not everyone will fit into what God has called you to do.

However, God has called the people you need, but some have not listened or obeyed Him. It’s not uncommon for Christians to be in the wrong church or serving in the wrong place. One of the biggest failures in the body of Christ is not understanding their assignment. 

Helps is a Ministry

1 Corinthians 12:28 describes different roles in the body of Christ: And God hath set some in the church—first apostles, secondarily prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. In other words, everyone has a part. Apostles initiate works; prophets serve as God’s mouthpieces; teachers are anointed to reveal God’s Word deeply. Miracles and healings are often linked to the ministry of evangelists; governments relate to the pastoral role, and helps should not be overlooked. Although it’s not listed, we often call the “five-fold ministry” in Ephesians 4:11; helps is a valid ministry that operates best under the anointing, just like any other ministry. Those involved in helps are anointed to support other ministers and should be honored as much as those in the pulpit. Who falls under helps ministry? The assistant ministers, singers, choir, band, ushers, hostesses, children’s church and nursery workers, bookstore staff, parking lot attendants, facilities managers, administrators, and every other person who makes it possible for you to share God’s Word—these are all part of the helps ministry that God has sent.

I encourage you to shake hands with your help ministers after every service, if possible. Let them know how much you appreciate them and that they are called and anointed. When people find their proper place and are properly encouraged, many will remain loyal in their service to God with you. Some of my help ministers have been with me for 35 years. Maybe their friends left the church, but they knew God’s assignment was to help me, and they stayed. They are ministers in their own right, and I honor them as such. Pray, trust God, and treat those God sends you with respect, and you will always have the help you need.