Josiahs Scott,
Josiahs@trueconnection.org,
www.TrueConnection.org
Recompiled
1/9/10; 11/29/10; 1/13/11; 5/7/11
Table of Contents
Testimony / Call to Ministry. 2
Where am I at now with Jesus?. 2
Counseling and Discipleship. 4
Preface Explanation
I hope this entire document is helpful for
challenging people to believe the Bible and obey Jesus. Nevertheless, these
FAQs are directed specifically at answering questions that are geared toward
“interview” inquiries that people have asked me to determine if
they would like to have me come and serve at their church. I am ready to go and
preach anywhere in the World as much as God allows, and I hope this section can
help determine on the “Ministerial” side of things, if an inquiring
church would be interested in having me come to their location to serve.
The theological
counterpart for these FAQs is found at the following link:
http://www.trueconnection.org/BibleStudies/FAQs.html
Personal Questions
Testimony
Describe
briefly your conversion, your subsequent spiritual growth, and your current relationship
with Christ.
Testimony / Call to Ministry
I was raised in church my whole life, but ended up
playing the hypocrite for many years. I became desperately depressed, to the
point that I wanted to kill myself. After much hardship, I finally stopped most
of the sin that I was in, seeking to be right with God.
On a
certain day around August 1996, the church that I was at was having a typical
service and I was deeply discouraged and hopeless, especially in light of this,
so I stepped out of church at some point and cried out to God.
I looked
at the church next to me and felt such deep despair because I knew there was
not one person there or in the rest of the world that I knew of who Truly Loved
Jesus and could help me. So I cried out to God wishing that there was someone
else on earth with answers, who really
wanted to live for Jesus as much as I did, and could help me get a hold of Him.
About a month later I met someone leading a Monday night Bible study who had
what I had always wanted in life- Jesus.
Many
things happened, and it took a while before God also set me free of depression,
but I found myself running after Jesus with all I had on an exciting adventure
that I never imagined I would live out. This started in 1996, and many years
later I am still burning brighter, and I feel the urgent call to see the church
repent and get right with Jesus.
For more, please see:
www.trueconnection.org/BibleStudies/Josiahs_Testemony.html
Spiritual Growth
After first repenting, some important spiritual
growth took place, as God established many core values in me. But it
wasn’t until God had mercy on me and set me free from spiritual bondage
that I shot off like a rocket and got totally captivated for Jesus!
There have
been several key factors that have produced spiritual growth in my life. In
past seasons I have had people who called me to obey Jesus all the way. I still
stand amazed by the Bible, and how God writes Words down that are constantly
revolutionizing my life. But all of these have been solidified most of all by
life-changing encounters with God in prayer. My spiritual growth is summed up
in all these things.
Where am I at now with Jesus?
This is easily the only thing that matters to me in
life. I eat, sleep, and wake every day to be connected to Jesus and to connect
others to Him.
In this
season of my life God has been pleased to open up so many unforeseen doors
which makes my life given to transient unpredictable seasons of exciting
ministry in various places while making disciples locally in the mean time
through many Bible studies and prayers, much effort in studying the Bible
personally to get a hold of truth, writing about the Bible, and doing all I can
to call people to truly follow Jesus.
In many
ways the things that I’m experiencing at this season are the answers to
so many prayers in the past, and the fulfillment of many promises that I have
waited for, for so many years.
In recent times God allowed me the privilege
of traveling to a number of churches in a number of states to preach his truth.
Many of these things are represented on the MP3 Sermons page of my website.
As
ambitious as I am to see Jesus’ kingdom come with as much of my life as
possible, this usually means much preparation and prayer. This often involves
intense “breaking” by being crucified in this flesh, and exciting
solidification in truth.
So between
taking a hold of promises and fighting through spiritual barriers I’m at
an important and transitioning season in following Jesus, always preparing for
and asking God about what He has in mind next for ministry and calling people
to follow Him, while being continually eager for what He is willing to teach
me, and how He would be willing to reveal Himself to me in prayer.
Type of Person
In
ministry, what might a friend say about you and the
type of person you are? What would they
say about your sense of humor?
Many people think of me as
“hard-core” for Jesus, and some say I’m a prophet (while I do
not claim this). When I teach the Bible
we have a lot of fun, even though we end up often talking about serious
truths. I also perceive that there is a
mutual sense of Love and appreciation among the participants when we study the
Bible. But I think it’s even better if you hear these things “from
the horse’s mouth…”
Please see: Character
Summaries
See Also: References
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Basic Info about Josiahs
Name: Josiahs Scott
Contact
Info: Click Here
Age: I was born Nov 14th 1980, so
that means I turn…
30
in 2010
31
in 2011
32
in 2012
33
in 2013
Marital Status: Never Married
Single,
and not looking. In fact, I’ve never been in any romantic relationship at
all:
Joh_3:27;
1Co_7:31-33
Also
Compare:
www.TrueConnection.org/#NoDating
Employment: Self Employed:
www.ThePersonalComputerTutor.com
Life
Mission and Calling
To
call the Modern church to repent
Picture
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Youth Ministry
Why Youth Ministry?
Why
are you interested in youth ministry?
I want to give my life away for the Gospel. I want to “spend and be spent” to see people follow Jesus. I’ve deeply enjoyed all of the opportunities I’ve had for many years to affect youth and pour into their lives; I am happy to continue doing this as much as God allows the opportunity.
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Youth Challenges
What
are the top three challenges facing youth today?
1. Churches that don’t offer the Truth; 2.
Peers who pressure into worldliness (sin); 3. No perceived hope
for change (resulting in lack of hunger for change)
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The Quality of the Input
How
do you seek to qualitatively instill Biblical values in the youth?
Counseling and Discipleship
While there are
countless methodologies and strategies to doing effective youth ministry, there
is no way to substitute a youth group’s truest need.
I am convinced that there’s no way to
avoid the need for regular quality time from a godly role model invested in
pouring into people’s lives. If the youth are going to be deeply affected
and personally changed, they frequently need one-on-one guidance to understand
and grapple with the issues that they’re facing. This seems to
usually take the form of counseling, discipleship, mentoring, (“role
modeling”) and overall focused attention to see them grow.
Interestingly, it is often difficult or impossible to aid a person with the
problems in their life while we stand outside of it.
1Th 2:7-8 EMTV But we proved to be gentle in your midst, as
a nursing mother
cherishes her own children. 8
In this way longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the
gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
Discipleship Resources
It is a joyful
habit of mine to develop materials and tools to explain the truths of the Bible
for us to live by. This was a major starting point for my motivation in making
the primary website I have:
After having
developed quality materials for teaching God’s truth, I have found that
we can connect the dots to the student’s lives by investing quality time
in bringing that truth to them when speaking the Word of God to them.
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Abilities
Personal Spiritual Gifts
What
are your personal spiritual gifts?
Spiritual
Gifts
(from 1Corinthians 12, and others)
Discerning of
spirits (1Cor 12:10), some Prophecy (v. 10, 28; Rom 12:6; Eph 4:11), Wisdom (v.
8), often words of knowledge (v. 8), Teaching/preaching/evangelizing (v. 8, 28;
14:26; Rom 12:7-8; Eph 4:11), (and I hope one day Apostleship, v. 28; 2Co
12:12; Compare what I wrote on “Apostles” above). And yes,
(Biblical) tongues also (v. 10, 30).
For more see:
www.TrueConnection.org/BibleStudies/Josiahs_Ministry_Experiences.htm
Strengths and Weaknesses
Please
discuss your strengths and weaknesses as related to ministry.
I think I am weak in just about everything I do, or
at least, that's my ambition. I believe in the favor of God that
this is glory for me by faith in Jesus' cross.
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Any Debt?
How
much debt do you have? Specify amounts for the various things.
A grand total of… $0.00! (I thank Jesus
greatly!). In fact, though I’ve moved several times, paid bills, and
managed money, I’ve never been “in debt” because of the
values that I have established against spending money I don’t have. Now all I have to do is pray through how to
deal with a mortgage if I ever have to face one.
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Skills
What
are your skills and hobbies?
Creativity/Art, writing, Music (piano), Spanish,
Greek, Computer Media (and computers in general), Scuba Diving, some outdoors,
pets (especially birds, cats, & dogs) etc.
For a more full
description, compare Graphic (occupational) Résumé: www.trueconnection.org/GraphicDesigner/Scott
Résumé.pdf
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Leadership Structures
List
and describe the various leadership structures that you have worked in.
I have been in and worked with churches from just
about every variant and tradition you can imagine, but the main ones I have
been significantly involved in have been:
Baptist – (autonomous
church structure) the top authority seems to consistently be the deacons
Assemblies of God – (which
has a light hierarchical structure), where either the pastor or the deacons may
end up acting as the authorities, but it seems more-so the pastor in my
experience.
Methodist –
(Committee-based, but also hierarchical) which tends to make members of the
congregation the authorities
Nondenominational –
Everything in-between
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5 Books
Name
the most important books that you have read which have most deeply affected you
in ministry.
Key Books I
Have Read
1. The Bible (over and over and over...)
2. The “Apocrypha”
(Deuterocanonical Books)
3. Still Reading The Ante-Nicene Fathers (the writings
of the early Church)
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Devotional Discipline
How
do you order your personal devotional time?
A minimum of 2 hours in the morning for prayer,
about an hour of Bible study, Usually 10 - 30 min of mid-day prayer, and about
an hour or two of prayer at night. My
goal is to pray at least 3 or more hours a day.
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Ministry
Philosophies
Career Goal
What
is your ultimate career goal?
The only defining, life-long, “Career
Goal” I have is to pour my life into benefiting people by proclaiming
Jesus’ truth and calling the modern church to repent; whether I am helped
financially or not is a very small detail that God has kindly provided for. If
I could do nothing besides preach, do Bible studies, and witness, and pray and
prepare to preach, do Bible studies, and witness, and pour my life out to make
true followers of Jesus, I could die happy. My idea of a good time is to travel
from one place to another, preaching from church to church, and when I read of
how the Apostles did this in Acts, I burn inside with desire to do the same.
For me this is the most natural response I could have
after being blown away by what God did in my life and the things He put inside
me.
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Your Dream Church
What
would be your vision/dream of an ideal, highly effective church?
A Church of all (or at least mostly) saved people
pursuing God with everything that they had. It would be good to have leadership
that was fully armed in all the capacities needed. For example, it would seem
effective to at least have both an elder (experienced person) in leadership, as
well as one who was being raised up to “carry on the legacy.”
People need not only teachers, but also evangelists, prophets, apostles, and
the other gifts, and the Bible says they need them:
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ
(Eph 4:11-13 KJV)
[Seeing that these things obviously have not been
accomplished yet in any Church body, we can be sure that we are still in need
of these things. ]
In such an ideal Church, people would love each
other second only to God. They would be courageous enough to take the Gospel
around the world, and real enough to live it in the workplace. They would give
their lives, their time, their money, their attention, their heart, not to
advancing their own religious social organization, but to revolutionizing this
dead world (including most every church today), and bringing the life-changing
Truth of God to hopeless darkened souls to save them from Hell. They would no
longer play games with God’s Word, but would fearlessly embrace Him
head-on for everything He says about Himself, about sin, about us, and our
lives.
They would give their lives away to be martyrs for
Jesus, by life or by death (Phil 1:20)
Now that’s a Church worth living for (1Th_3:8), because
that’s a Church that embodies Jesus Himself; and only a few people have
seen such things in our dark age!
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Ministry Expectations
What can be expected if we ask you to come and speak or to be a pastor
in our area?
Repentance is Serious
I am here to call the modern church to repent. I am not willing to play church games like everyone is a nice “christian” in a congregation that I may be privileged to speak at. You will not be happy with me coming to your area if you want someone to come and help maintain or inspire a nice religious social organization. I am here to benefit the humble and oppose the perversion of this age, not to entertain rich heretics.
Embracing Reverence
Much of what
I’m writing here is explained in detail in this unfinished Bible study:
www.trueconnection.org/BibleStudies/Right_in_Eyes.html
Reverent caution
is a strong theme most people will be likely to notice when working alongside
me in ministry. There are a lot of things that I will be careful not to do for
the sake of testimony and for the sake of doing all things in faith
(Rom_14:22-23). The one main request that I especially make in all these cases
is that one would not expect or require me to go against my conscious, other
people’s conscious, or actively participate in things that are
questionable or shady, not to mention things that the Bible clearly and
directly warns against.
Especially when there is the possibility
that optional activities could be wrong, inappropriate, or even be perceived
that way, I consider avoiding it to be the God-fearing thing to do (see above). It is a small
thing to ask for us to change something in light of honoring God and loving
people by avoiding offense. I can always recognize when a person is addicted to
indulgence when they cannot be flexible to another person’s conscious.
Let us be truly free so that we can both do things as well as not do things for
the sake of loving others as God has so clearly commanded us (Rom_15:1-3).
So whether these
things are wrong, or even perceived to be wrong, we are told to avoid them.
Anyone who is a real Christian will happily agree.
Progressive churches
In many self-termed “Progressive churches” the unspoken
rule of thumb is to be as indulgent as possible without losing the perception
of being a church. But though there may
be many fun new ideas that are not necessarily wrong, and some of which could
even honor God more, the direction of a Church should not be a sense of
indulgence, but of self-denial (see below)!
For this reason, while
many churches pursue indulging in the name of being “Progressive” I
strongly value the Biblical mandate of embracing caution. We are not commanded
to express ourselves and experience life, but to deny ourselves and give up our
life!
Mat 10:38-39 WEB He who doesn't take his cross and follow after me, isn't worthy of me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
Also:
Mat_16:24-25; Mar_8:34-35; Luk_9:23-24; Luk_14:25-27, Luk_14:33-35;
Especially
because of the nature of my secular occupations in graphic design and computers, I have had to
develop specific purity standards for my work.
These were basic moral principles, and should be a given in any church
situation. One might think that this is
only necessary in secular positions, but I found that I have to say that no
matter where it is, as much as possible, I do not want to do, or help in,
anything that is even close to compromising God’s standards, or anything
which has potential of being defiling, even if I have to set standards in
ministry at a “church.”
Purity before God is more important than convenience and being relevant
combined, or any other practice that we may be accustomed to.
Teaching the Bible
As long as I can be assured that I can
teach the Bible, I am ready to serve God’s truth anywhere in the World
that God opens a door to preach. Unfortunately
humans have always sought ways to limit this and act like they’re still
honoring God:
Isa 30:9-13; Pro 15:27
Also see:
2Ch_16:7-10; 2Ch_24:19-21, 2Ch_25:16;
Jer_5:31, Jer_11:21; Jer_26:11, Jer_26:20-23, Jer_29:27, Jer_38:4; Amo_2:12,
Amo_7:13; Mic_2:6; Act_4:17, Act_5:28; 1Th_2:15, 1Th_2:16; Rev_11:7
(Treasury of
Scriptural Knowledge)
So we ought to stand up for and preach
what’s true and not hide God’s Word from our midst.
At the same time
I know that there can be conflicts. In
these cases submission is what I seek for, and is my preferred solution to all
conflict in ministry as a whole. My goal
is submission and peace, and my obligation is the integrity to represent and
preach God’s truth. While seeking
submission I must hold on to integrity by loving God first, and by holding His
Words and truths above all men, (Rom_3:4; 2Co_8:5). Integrity to truth demands
this, and obedience demand submission as much as possible in this context.
The best representation of how I serve in ministry and what I teach is
my website, and the best resource to summarize this is my FAQs. For the
sake of wisdom, God's timing, and the need for submission, I would not
necessarily teach everything found in my FAQs, but at the
same time I'm liable to teach any of these things on the basis that I must
follow that example left by Paul:
Act 20:20, 26-27 WEB how I didn't shrink from declaring to you anything
that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to
house… 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am
clean from the blood of all men, 27 for I didn't shrink from declaring to you the
whole counsel of God.
And also:
Psa 40:10 WEB …I have not concealed
your loving kindness and your truth from the great assembly.
If these values
and expectations sound good and reasonable to a place inviting me to come, then
I’m ready to go there to preach as much as God allows.
As it Relates to Money
In many places I have stated that
I’m not in it for money. You can
review my travel and
moving policy and see this
displayed very clearly.
It is critical to be thankful and appreciative in acknowledging it when
a church financially helps a pastor for his work. But infinitely more than this it is important
that one's loyalty and devotion in preaching truth be determined exclusively on
the basis of honoring God, and not the reimbursement of money, lest the
preacher's words be found as the contemptible words of men (See: 1Pe 4:11; 1Co
3:3c; and see: Absolute
Truth)
We ought to fear and obey God rather than man (Mat 10:28; Act 5:29) and
pay no regards to “bribes” (see below) to preach anything other than the truth, so
that we are not found as “hired” (false) shepherds who do not truly
care for the sheep or share the heart of God in governing his flock: Joh
10:12-13
Blinding Bribes that
Bypass truth:
1Sa 12:3; Exo
23:8; Deu 16:19
Balaam vs. Peter on Money:
Balaam
Balaam contrasts eternally
with the integrity of Peter when it comes to money. Rather than despising money
(Mat 6:24) as Peter, Moses, and the other men of God in the Bible, Balaam loved
it:
Rev_2:14; Num_24:14, Num_25:1-3, Num_31:8, Num_31:16; Jos_13:22; Jos_24:9; 2Pe_2:15; Jud_1:11
2Pe 2:15 WEB forsaking the right way, they went astray,
having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of
wrong-doing;
Jud 1:11 WEB Woe to them! For they…ran riotously in
the error of Balaam for hire…
This ought to put the fear of God in
every pastor and leader lest we also fall to such a sickening and shameful
lust!
Peter
Peter was especially a hero in this
regard, because he answered the prospect of money with such courage and faith
by saying, “Your
money perish with you,” (Act 8:20).
Peter has the heart that says, “You
can keep your money! I despise the filth of your bribe!” And we ought to
have these values as well when it comes to ministry. Salary?
Honorarium? – these can be good, but God says, that Moses won the
race of true faith by…
Heb 11:26-27 WEB accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Because of this I would rather lose all
of the positions and influence in the world, including contemptible pastoral
titles, than to ever come close to losing “the reproach of Christ”
from my life:
2Co 12:10 WEB …For when I am weak, then am I strong.
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Commitments
Part-time/Full-time
Are
you interested in a part-time or a full-time Pastor or Youth Pastor Position?
I am interested in proclaiming God’s truth no
matter what kind of a “position” people seem to think they have
open. I understand that what is called “part-time” may be more
limited financially, but whether “full-time” or
“part-time,” I aim to work full-time. (I’m not in it for the
money).
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Relocation
Are
you willing to relocate?
Yes, I’m counting on relocating:
www.trueconnection.org/Other/Traveling_and_Moving_Policy.html
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Salary Expectation
I expect to give my life away and die for Jesus, not
make money. I do not need money; I need humble people who are willing to obey
the Bible. In the mean time, if a church is pleased to help in some way this is
very appreciated, even if it was not that much financially.
See:
www.trueconnection.org/Other/Traveling_and_Moving_Policy.html
Small-Budget Scenarios
What
if a church could not afford to pay that much?
I understand that a small to normal-sized church sometimes
cannot afford to pay that much. But salary is not very decisive on my end of
things anyway, because my real goal is to take whatever door God provides to
pour out my life and see people made into disciples. I am serious about this,
to the point that I'm ready to go the extra mile to see it happen. I am
committed not to let payment sway things in my mind as much as possible.
See:
www.trueconnection.org/Other/Traveling_and_Moving_Policy.html
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Years of Commitment
How
many years would you be willing to commit to our Pastor or Youth Minister
position?
The Apostles (lit. sent out
ones) traveled and preached as much as God gave them a door to
profit others spiritually by proclaiming truth. I have taken this as my model.
I am willing to stay as long as God keeps a door open for me to be there.
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Copyright © Josiahs Scott, All rights reserved (see below)
The only reason I put this here is to avoid people misusing this work with bad motives. This is officially copyrighted to protect it from those with money in mind, and to preserve it for free distribution, especially in the unlikely event that someone might think to make money off of it rather than maximizing its distribution. You are permitted and encouraged to freely copy and redistribute this work in its entirety, via standard copy machine or electronic documentation as long as you make no money off of it. If you wish to reproduce this work on any larger scale, please contact me at Josiahs@trueconnection.org. You may also quote this document, by citing the reference as:
“[Name
of Bible Study]” By Josiahs Scott, www.TrueConnection.org
PersonalNotes
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Bible Verses About Ministry
Phi_2:5-8 - Jesus did not exalt Himself
Have Sympathy (Like Jesus)
Heb_4:15-16 - Heb_5:1-2
Baptist Pastor: 'choose your calling over your burden'
Act_16:6-9
- come over to Macedonia... concluded the Lord had called...
Moses
Overloading
Exo_18:18 - You will surely wear away
Num_11:14 - I am not able to bear all this people alone
1Ki_19:4-14 - beware of self assessment during overload
Josiahs:
Make sure that self assessment is not self assassination
But see Paul:
Php_4:12
We overload when we don't clearly know what God wants us to do
Ministry
Temptations
3Jn_1:9 - Diotrephes, who loves to be first...
3Jn_1:10 - Opposing accountability to truth
Purity
Resist: “Positional Immunity” (like “Diplomatic Immunity”)
“Because I am in a unique position, I have unique privileges”
Don’t attempt to fulfill the empty areas of the opposite gender
Don’t let bonds of healthy appreciation lead to unhealthy bonds of romantic affection
Feeding sensual desires behind legitimate screen
Risk Factors; Jeopardizing Safety
Physical exposure (a culture of undress)
Heart sharing (an exposure of the Heart)
Private Communication (alone, email, text messaging, notes)
Close working relationship
Unhealthy Humor; teasing
Sharing personal items (coats, cups, etc.)