being prepared QUESTION from kevin on January 5, 2003 Dear Bro. John Paul/Mr. Meineke,
What advice do you have for people who are close to God, have freely given their lives to him, and know through discernment that they have a spiritual warfare calling? My life reads like a training manual, yet I don't seek this calling, and I'm content to let God lead me. What should I do then, if the Lord tosses me into the water and I'm forced to confront something I have no training or experience to confront? What about people who are given this calling, who don't really want it, but are commanded to do so? I feel that eventually I'll be placed in a situation that may be over my head.
ANSWER by Mr. Joe Meineke on January 7, 2003 Dear Kevin,
If you have a genuine calling to the Spiritual Warfare Ministry, the best course of action is to come under the direction of a person such as Brother John-Paul who has the necessary experience to train others. However, regardless of your personal conviction that you are called to do this ministry, it is still necessary to go through a discernment process with your teacher (who will also, in this case, act as a spiritual director).
If you would like to pursue this calling, I would recommend contacting us by emailing porter@saint-mike.org. Once you have done that, I can make arrangements to talk to you on the phone and conduct a brief interview. After that, if appropriate, I will make an appointment for you to talk with Brother John-Paul.
As for your concerns about what to do If God places you in a situation where He wants you to act as His instrument, you must remember that He will also provide the necessary graces to get the job done. Granted, lack of training certainly increases the likelihood of making mistakes and sometimes completely failing (even with God's graces, we are still human). However, under the tutelage of a qualified Spiritual Warrior, you will learn what to do - and what not to do - in this ministry and will greatly increase your likelihood of becoming a powerful instrument of God.
God bless you,
Joe Meineke Assistant to Bro. Ignatius

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