PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: Continuous Preparation: The Secret To A Thriving, Evergreen Ministry

In the school of ministry, there is no shortcut to lasting fruitfulness. A truly impactful and ever-relevant minister of the Gospel must embrace the discipline of continuous preparation. Many of God’s servants have lost their edge in ministry today because they rejected ongoing training, spiritual development, and learning.

There’s a story of a student who noticed his professor studying both early in the morning and late into the night. Curious, the student asked, “Why do you still study so hard every day?” The professor replied, “It’s better to teach from a flowing stream than a stagnant pool.” This is how some ministers who were once powerful and fresh have become dry and irrelevant—they stopped allowing the river of God to flow through preparation.

A. BIBLICAL FOUNDATION AND BASIS

Key Scriptures: Luke 12:47; 2 Timothy 2:15, 21; Proverbs 10:4

What is preparation?

Preparation means seeking God diligently, waiting upon Him with an active spirit, reading the Word, studying diligently, praying, practicing, developing your gifts, and improving your spiritual and leadership capacity. It’s the process of sharpening your tools and getting yourself ready for greater kingdom assignments.

Key Truths:

Preparation is not once and for all; it’s a lifetime commitment.
Just like the Boy Scouts’ motto is “Be Prepared,” so should it be for every minister of the Gospel.
Champions are not made in the spotlight; they are only revealed there.
Vision and early preparation are the two wings that help you soar high in ministry.
It involves fasting when others are feasting, praying when others are playing, studying while others are sleeping, and laboring while others are lazy.
Greatness is not achieved overnight. While others are sleeping, those destined for greatness are laboring in secret.
The call of God is not the same as being sent by God. A calling requires preparation.
Joseph was called at 17, sent at 30 – that’s 13 years of preparation.
Moses was called at 40, but sent at 80 – 40 years of preparation.
Joshua served and prepared under Moses for 40 years.
David was trained under Prophet Samuel for 16 years before ascending the throne.
Jesus spent 30 years preparing for just 3½ years of impactful ministry.
The Apostles were trained by Jesus for 3½ years before stepping into full ministry.
Apostle Paul was in the Arabian desert for 14 years before fully stepping out.

Preparation time is never wasted. If you show up before you’re ready, you may disappear before your impact is felt. When your season comes, will you be ready? The depth and length of your preparation depend on your humility, obedience, temperament, and willingness to follow God fully.

B. MYTHS THAT FIGHT CONTINUOUS PREPARATION

There are common misconceptions and spiritual half-truths that keep many ministers from preparing adequately. These lies must be exposed:

“The anointing is all I need.”
“Prayer is more important than knowledge.”
“Miracles are more important than sound doctrine.”
“As long as I receive impartation, I don’t need training.”
“I have arrived already.”
“My gifts and ordination will speak for me.”
“I’ve attended one Bible School; that’s enough.”

These deceptive beliefs are the reason many ministers are struggling. Some have become wounded soldiers on the battlefield, not because they weren’t called, but because they were not prepared. That was part of the downfall in the Biafran War—untrained soldiers were sent to war and became casualties.

Without preparation, ministries become shallow, dry, monotonous, and eventually irrelevant. There’s no new fire or direction because nothing is being added.

C. AREAS WHERE MINISTERS LACK PREPARATION

Scriptures: Psalm 78:72; Ecclesiastes 10:10

From years of training pastors and visiting churches, it has become clear that many ministers are not adequately prepared in key areas necessary for long-term success. Below are some critical gaps:

Relational skills – knowing how to love, lead, and relate to people like Christ.
Communication skills – being able to teach, preach, and express God’s word clearly and effectively.
Problem-solving skills – resolving issues biblically, quickly, and wisely.
Leadership skills – guiding God’s people with vision, wisdom, and character.
Financial integrity and wisdom – avoiding covetousness, managing funds with transparency.
Family balance – not losing your home while serving God’s house.
Conflict management – handling disagreements without creating division.
Balanced growth – spiritual and physical maturity within the congregation.
Avoiding consumer Christianity – leading people to Christ, not just entertaining them.
Dealing with criticism – remaining focused and forgiving under attack.
Positive public image – representing Christ and His Church honorably.
Administrative competence – organizing the ministry to run efficiently and effectively.

A truly evergreen ministry requires growth and sharpening in all these areas. Abraham Lincoln once said, “I will prepare myself and my time will come.” The future belongs to those who prepare for it. Hidden preparation leads to open manifestation. Your depth in private will determine your strength in public.

D. CONTINUOUS PREPARATION FOR A THRIVING MINISTRY

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:2

Both God’s part and your part are necessary in preparation. Here’s how to stay sharp and spiritually relevant:

Let God work on your character – allow Him to “cook” you thoroughly.
Understand that preparation involves testing, pruning, and refining – Psalm 66:10-12.
Maintain a strong private prayer life – secret place power fuels public ministry.
Read the Word daily and study diligently – be a workman who is not ashamed.
Take spiritual and practical courses – never stop learning and growing.
Surround yourself with those who challenge and sharpen you.
Stay teachable and hungry for growth – don’t become a “know-it-all.”
Retreat regularly to refuel spiritually – burnout is real.
Be a passionate reader – books will take you where feet can’t.
Commit to personal devotions – don’t preach what you don’t live.
Above all, prepare for eternity – 1 John 3:2-3 – heaven is our final goal.

Those who don’t prioritize preparation will melt under the weight of ministry when the pressure increases. If you want to be a green tree planted by the rivers of living water (Psalm 1:3), you must never stop preparing.

In conclusion, continuous preparation is not optional for a lasting ministry. It is the God-ordained pathway to relevance, fruitfulness, and divine approval. Stay teachable, stay growing, and stay ready—for God is always looking for vessels that are fit for His use.