The infallible template for ministry is our Lord Jesus Christ. This notwithstanding, the journey of each minister and ministry is uniquely defined by God. All ministers must depend solely on Christ for guidance on the journey of ministry. Ministry is not copy and paste.

The statement- ministry is not copy and paste was made by Pastor Timothy Benedict, a Pastor with Dunamis International Gospel Centre under the leadership of Dr. Pastor Paul and Dr. Mrs Becky Enenche. He addresses his admonition to young ministers.

5 Guiding principles for young ministers to avoid the error of copy and paste in ministry

Acts 19:11-15 KJV – And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

Acts 19:11-15 (KJV)

Get your Christ-customized template from God.

A major mistake most young Ministers starting off new ministries make is trying to use the template of their mentor, spiritual father or that of the ministry where they were raised to operate in the new assignment. This has led to delays in impact, engendered mass frustrations and sometimes outright depression. The continual absence of results most times questions the authenticity of the mandate except where there was absolute clarity.

Separate the basics from God’s operational direction

Listen! You can’t put new wine in an old wineskin and expect to have peace. There are of course basic operational Ministry templates but definitely not the major factor that produces the visible results in a ministry or of a minister. Ministry is not and will never be a copy and paste kind of operation.

Get your ministry formula from the Holyspirit

There is no basic formula that guarantees outstanding or predictable success in ministry. That someone added 1+1 and got 2 does not mean if you add same you will get 2. This is so that every genuine Apostolic minister can depend on the Holy Spirit and remain connected to divine frequency to receive current but location and season specific transmissions.

Every ministry or minister making visible impact is driven by a certain invisible force. This could be either a voice, an encounter or an experience. Don’t do what you see someone else do and got results no matter how popular the doer is without hearing what he heard or reconfirming from the control tower except of course he is your Senior Pastor. Two Pilots flying two different aircrafts around the same airport do not land at the same time and sometimes do not land from same direction because wind direction and currency can change without notice, that’s why you have the control tower.

Contexualize teachings

When you attend Ministers conferences, seminars and the likes, learn to contextualize the teachings you receive according to your location, season and structure.

Can I tell you something?.
The results of ministry are not usually embedded in the action or activity but in the invisible force powering the actions of the Lead Minister. That force is the mantle of the assignment and it is what compels the submission of results.
This is why the wise young minister will be diligent to know what makes things work rather than get enthralled by the results of what is working.

For instance, I don’t print posters either when we were in Enugu under a commission or here in Owerri since DACA Global started. Is it wrong to do so? Not at all! But I heard a voice on the publicity strategy that works for me and in the city where we are. What works for one in a place may not work for you in another place. Routine is the enemy of creativity and a sponsor of stagnation.

When you try to adopt someone’s strategy without confirming from your sender, He leaves you to yourself and your strategies.
A sling (catapult) given by God will bring down a Goliath the armour of Saul may never be able to subdue.

Be inspired by people but never lose your originality. The fragrance of your assignment lies in your essence.

This is why every genuine Apostolic minister has no reason or business envying, being jealous or get threatened by another minister or ministry.

If God sent you to start a work, get counsel from older Ministers, be inspired by contemporary ministries but never lose touch with the control tower.

Make time for personal retreats

This is why recurrent personal retreats, study and prayer times are non negotiable and non delegatable duties.

The Lord bless you!

Hope this helps?

May the Lord honour you exceedingly!

Experience divine guidance this week and always.

May God send you helpers of the assignment!

You won’t fail!

Are you from Nigeria, Ghana, USA, UK, Canada etc? This "Ministry is not copy and paste" will help you learn, grow, and become a deliberate Christian before God.