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The Gospel Ministry Call Part 8 by Mike Ramey

by Mike Ramey
02/18/26
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     As we left off in our last thrill-packed segment, we were just wrapping up on the type of Pastor to avoid serving under, if you are a gospel minister. The Books of First and Second Timothy, as well as The Book of Titus have all the particulars needed regarding the biblical Code of Conduct for a preacher, Pastor, deacon, elder and/or older men and women of any truly Christian church. Also, let us remember that Jesus Christ is the head of the church…and those who have been called into the gospel ministry serve under our Captain, period!

     As an old saying goes among preachers: “If the dollar rules the pulpit, then the devil rules the pew.” Amen? Brothers, if YOU are right according to the scriptures, you have NO business being in a church led by a Pastor who is on the wrong side of the fence concerning these items:

            *Anti-KJV—one who cares more for other or additional translations.

            *Power hungry—ready to join groups and associations at a moment’s notice.

            *Neglectful of studying his KJV Bible on a regular basis.

            *Weak in bible doctrine—one who lack understanding of the Virgin Birth, the Rapture, the Second Coming, the Resurrection. Etc.—even in his preaching.

            *One who pits Ministers against one another—for his amusement.

            *One who seems to be in the ‘pocket’ of wealthier church members.

            *Lastly—among others—does not have the love of Christ within him.

     There is one other item that I want to add to this list. A Pastor who is hooked up with Freemasonry, Fraternities, Sororities, and/or other occult/false religion activity, or his church is deep into such activity should be avoided, period! I’ve been in a few churches, and know a few more where Freemasonry (and all of their subgroups including the Shriners—32^nd degree Masons) have reached from the pew to the deacon board, to the pulpit.

     I actually confronted one gospel minister whom I knew very well. He had come to my home church (at the time) to conduct the eulogy for one of our members (who was a member of OES—Eastern Star). Protocol demanded that a Masonic minister conduct the eulogy, apron and all. Needless to say, once the service was over and we were outside, he quickly put his masonic apron away from public view. I warned him about the spiritual dangers, and the harm that he was going to bring on himself and his ministry.

     I didn’t get through. The lodge was his god.

     Sadly, the pastor of the church I was attending ALLOWED this travesty to take place in his pulpit and before his members…including myself and fellow ministers. The spiritual blowback? The church has NOT grown since that incident. Further, the Pastor had gotten divorced and more than a few members had walked away from that church.

     Pastors, if you cannot say, like the Apostle Paul: “Follow me as I follow Christ”, then you will have a LOT explaining to do before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Preachers, if you cannot sum up your pastor with the life summary of the Apostle Paul, you are in the WRONG church. MOVE! There is NOTHING wrong with transferring your church membership IF there is ‘sin in the camp’ of the church that you are in. TRY the Spirit BY the Spirit. Keep in prayer and listen to what God has to say about him.

     What can a GOOD Pastor; one who is in order with the Lord do for his ministers? Here are a few benefits right off the top of the table:

           *IF you are serving under a good Pastor, it will make it that much more of a blessing to eventually pastor a church of your own. A preacher will NOT be able to secure a pastorate without the recommendation of the pastor of the church that he is serving in.

            *IF you are serving under a good Pastor, one who is well respected by other pastors in your city, invitations to preach in other churches should come easier. While it is true that a preacher should NOT seek places and opportunities to preach, IF they are under the growing ministry of an established Pastor, those opportunities will come your way.

            *IF you are serving under a good Pastor, you will have a LOT in the way of ‘inside baseball’ training. For example, there will be classes taught by your Pastor (and other Pastors in your area) that will provide local and national information and teachings on local and national Church government, history, finances, preaching and ministry particulars, along with recommendations as to where solid Bible Colleges and Seminaries are located.

            *Lastly, IF you are serving under a good Pastor, you will have an entry way into your State or National denominational circles. As you climb your denominational ladder, and strengthen your ministry credentials, serving in various workshops and ministry teaching areas for ‘little groups’ will strengthen your teaching, preaching and administrative abilities.

     A good Pastor will help shape you into a well-rounded gospel minister…which is what is needed in future pastoral leadership. He will encourage your growth and questions—even in those ‘after duty’ times in church.

     Let me head for a close. There are lessons a good Pastor can teach a preacher that are NOT found in seminary books. This is part of that ‘word of mouth’ tradition that is passed on from spiritual fathers to spiritual sons. As you get into the gospel ministry my brothers, remember to keep your eyes open, your mouth limited, and your eyes focused on that man in the post of Pastor. Search for the good ones, and shun the bad ones. More to come.

     Mike Ramey is a Retired Minister, KJV Bible Teacher, syndicated columnist and Bible Prophecy Specialist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a Circuit rider of the Funky Electronic Frontier. “The Gospel Ministry Call” series is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996. Catch Mike Ramey’s columns on X (Twitter), Substack, Faithwriters.com and in fine publications like this one! To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: [email protected]. ©2026 Barnstorm Communications International.