Minister Vacancies

Wikipedia says… “Amanuensis” is a person engaged to write or type what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. The word originated in ancient Rome, for a slave at his master’s personal service within hand’s reach, performing any command. Later it was specifically applied to an intimately trusted servant (often a freedman) acting as a personal secretary.”

Amanuensis is what the person does, not what they are. The Apostle Paul is shown as the author of the Book of Romans. However, at the end of the book, Tertius of Iconium describes himself as the scribe who wrote the letter (16:22).  

Today’s Dancing on Water article (No. 156) marks three years of amanuensis service to the Holy Spirit, writing to you each week, according to His inspiration.

Any follower of the Lord is qualified to function as His amanuensis… receiving inspiration from the Holy Spirit to write on His behalf. Encouraging you each week in your walk with God is the reason why in 2020 I dedicated myself to writing 400 articles, spanning a term of eight years! At the time this seemed a daunting task, but in reality, this has been a joyous experience of “richer” learning and personal growth. Why, why… why didn’t I do this sooner!

Several months ago, the thought came to mind of inviting DOW subscribers to follow my example by stepping into the shoes of an amanuensis to write Holy Spirit inspired articles. The idea is for you to encourage believers in your circle of life in their walk with God. Your passion for God and your journeying experiences with Him provides the Holy Spirit with a rich resource from which He can inspire you to speak through your articles on His behalf… bringing conviction, affirmation, and ministering the love of justice, grace and mercy to those who are dear to you and God.

Not long after entertaining that thought, I was surprised to receive an email request from one of DOW’s longstanding subscribers, Elijah Samuel, Pastor of the Assurance Pentecostal Church Int., Lagos, Nigeria. Elijah asked if I would support him through prayer, asking the Lord to bless him with whatever is needed for him to function as His amanuensis in his African context of ministry! 

Wow! What a timely sign to receive, confirming my thoughts of inviting you to consider partnering with me in this special service! 

I was glad to offer experienced advice to Elijah, hoping it would fast-track him to becoming well-grounded to launch his first article. I referred Elijah to Grace, DOW’s skilled “IT” manager. Grace advised Elijah as to the steps needed for him to establish an IT server and ministry platform. Also, our Editor, Lesley, came into play to edit Elijah’s articles. To my surprise, Elijah was up and running in no time! For several months, Elijah has been practicing his amanuensis service to God and I am glad for the edification I have received from his articles (www.assurancepentecostal.org.ng).

Even though most of the apostles were not accomplished writers, they saw the importance of finding ways to channel and preserve the teachings of the Lord as the Holy Spirit inspired them. They wrote to affirm, rebuke, safeguard, teach and encourage believers in their walk of faith. The Books of the New Testament are a priceless legacy left by them for our benefit. With the exception of Paul, the apostles were ordinary, uneducated, untrained men.

By comparison, believers today are better educated, better trained, reasonably skilled writers–more than is needed for the Holy Spirit to speak powerfully through them! Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers are qualified and competent enough to say to God, “Here I am.Send (use) me” (Is. 6:8).

As people are generally open to hear stories, believers should be glad to tell their stories… stories of God working miraculously in their lives… stories that honor Him and strengthen and inspire others to live courageously by faith in a world that breeds false teachers who unknowingly speak for Satan through their promotion of worldly values. The Church today urgently needs truth-tellers to “keep-saved” those who are “being saved”. The world in which we live is a powerful sin-magnet, slowly and subtly drawing believers away from a close walk with God. An amanuensis in God’s service will not be writing new truth, but will be taught to dress existing truth in contemporary “street clothes.”

Friends, it is my privilege to serve God as an amanuensis… happily available for Him to speak through me, His instrument. Although I am weak, dynamic power to serve the Lord, according to His will, is available from the resident Holy Spirit. Please, if you are feeling persuaded, I invite you to contact me with questions relating to the “ins and outs” of “how to” be an effective, God-honoring, amanuensis. 

You have nothing to lose by asking God to confirm in your heart His will for you concerning the amanuensis, minister vacancy. (Concluding Part 2 next week.)

Bill