Yesterday evening the leadership and congregation of Christ Church Central (together with two of our outside trustees) publicly commissioned me for gospel ministry. Below are the questions I was asked and the answers I gave. If you’re someone who knows me, these are the things to encourage me in and keep me accountable on – especially if you’re a member of Central.

God (answer ‘I believe and trust in him’)

Do you believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world?
Do you believe and trust in God’s Son Jesus Christ -the only Lord
and Saviour?
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit who gives life to
God’s people?

God’s word (answer ‘I do’)

Do you believe and trust that the Bible is God’s word, inspired by
his Spirit, and that it contains everything we need to know in
order to be saved through Christ and to grow like him?

Prayer and Bible Study (answer ‘with the help of God’s Spirit I will’)

Will you be faithful in prayer and persistent in studying God’s word?

Teaching (answer ‘with the help of God’s Spirit I will’)

Will you faithfully teach God’s word in all its fullness in order to
prepare God’s people for works of service and to become mature in
Christ?
Will you do the work of an evangelist, teaching Christ and his gospel to
those who don’t know him?
Will you actively oppose all false teaching and errors which contradict
God’s word?

Perseverance (answer ‘with the help of God’s Spirit I will’)

Will you persevere in the faith, continuing to trust and obey Christ
even through difficulty and opposition?

Example (answer ‘with the help of God’s Spirit I will’)

Will you strive to build your character and lifestyle on Christ’s word,
setting an example to the church in your teaching and in the wayyou
live?

Then the minister handed me a bible saying:

Pete Jackson we commission you to the work of gospel ministry. Take
this Bible as a reminder of your responsibility to God and his church.
Always make the prayerful study of it your priority. Allow God’s Spirit,
through God’s word, to shape your own life. In the power of God’s
Spirit preach God’s word in the church and in the world and never
depart from it.