Wise Words from R.T. Kendall

ERR-Multiple-step OLE DB operation generated errors. Check each OLE DB status value, if available. No work was done.

NT: RT, Could you tell us about your own Experience of Bible College Training?

RT: I attended Trevecca Nazarene College, Nashville, Tennessee when it was more of a Bible college than a university. It is a true university today, so it is not wrong to think of Trevecca as a Bible college when I was there many years ago. I took courses in Bible, practical theology etc. It helped prepare me for what I would face later.

NT: Some people today believe Bible College is a waste of time - all they need is the anointing - what do you think?

RT: I think of John 14:26, when Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would bring to our remembrance what we have learned. If one has not learned anything, how can the Holy Spirit remind us of what we have learned? The anointing is absolutely essential to a God-owned ministry, but if we are emptied-headed before the anointing comes, we will be empty-headed afterwards. God will choose those who have prepared and laboured even when it seemed hard and uninspirational. One will be glad later that he or she prepared.

NT: How would you advise a person to test the leading of God concerning College?

I have an acrostic I have used for years, it is based on Romans 14:19 - do what makes for peace. Ask these questions:

(1) Is it Providential (does the door open without our effort, or do we have to knock it down)? In other words, if the way has been provided without our having to twist the arm of providence, you consider it 'providential'.

(2) What of the Enemy: what do you suppose the devil would have you do? Most of us have a shrewd idea what the devil would want us to do in a given situation. I say, figure out what you think he would want, then do the opposite and you will generally be right!

(3) Authority. What does the Bible say? Be sure that there is nothing unbiblical in your decision-making. The Holy Spirit will not lead us contrary to the Word which he himself has written.

(4) Confidence. It comes from the Greek word paresia - it is an assuring authority; when I have this, it is a good sign; the more I am in the will of God the more I will have confidence; when I edge away from His will, I begin to lose confidence. Therefore, when considering what to do, does it cause my confidence to increase or diminish?

(5) Ease. What do you feel in your heart of hearts? God never leads us in a manner that causes us to lose inner peace. I often quote Shakespeare, “to thine own self be true.” 

If ALL FIVE of these points add up, it is a pretty good sign you are not going to miss God's will; four out of five is not enough, only the entire five - PEACE - will give you peace. P.E.A.C.E.

 NT: Many are keen to get on with ministry and fit in bits of training, if they train at all, around ministry demands.  Is a dedicated period of full-time training at the outset a worthwhile investment, and why is this so?

RT: The answer is yes. If your calling is not important enough to you to make an effort and set time aside, you had better re-evaluate  whether you are called. If someone says, 'Spurgeon did not have a degree', I reply: you are probably not Spurgeon. I had to come to the place I realized I was not Spurgeon - I needed to prepare. I did it at a most inconvenient time in my life. I have never been sorry.

This interview between Nigel Tween and R.T. Kendall took place at Mainstream, the anuual Conference of the Elim Pentecostal Church.