What Happens After Commissioning?
Commissioning is a time to celebrate the transformational work of God in the lives of men at Trinity. They have a new life in Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says,
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
They will be "sent out" to "go and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19) as they have been discipled - that means to share the good news of Jesus Christ and what He has done to set them free from sin and bondage and to live a new life in the Spirit for God's glory.
Family Members Want to Know, What's Next?
This is a big step to move on from Trinity. Where will the men go? Where will they live? What will they do? Who will hold them accountable? These are all reasonable, important, and common questions.
The most important factor is for the men to stay the course in their relationship and walk with the Lord, keeping Him first in all things: where they go, where they live, what they do, and who they spend time with. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs believers to
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
We advise and encourage the men to put to use the analogy of the three-legged stool as taken from Acts 2:42.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
One leg is the Word. One leg is Prayer. One leg is Fellowship.
For the stool to stand and be stable, each leg of being in the Word, being in Prayer, and spending time in Fellowship with other believers must be intact. If any of the legs are broken, then the stool will not stand. If the men lack being in the Word, prayer, or fellowship with other believers, then they risk falling.
Now, we can ask, how does the three-legged stool: Word, Prayer, and Fellowship help in answering the questions family members have?
Where will the men go? Where will they live? What will they do?
We encourage the men to be in prayer and ask the Lord for his guidance about where they should go, where they should live, and what they should do. As they pray and ask, we encourage them to seek God's wisdom and trust that the Lord will direct their path as written in James 1:5-6.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
We do see the Lord answer these prayers in many ways. We have seen fellow believers offer the men a place to stay. We have seen family members invite the men to move home. We have seen men advance into a leadership process at Trinity. Sometimes, men continue working at the same place of employment as when they were at Trinity. We have seen the Lord open doors for job opportunities through personal relationships with mentors and brothers and sisters in Christ.
We encourage men to seek the counsel of the Lord through His Word as they make decisions for their lives. Psalm 119:9-11 directs
How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
We want God's will to be done in their lives. God gives direction about where to live, what to do, and how to live throughout the bible from Genesis to Revelation that is relatable to our lives. For example, the Lord spoke to Abram in Genesis 12:1 and told him to leave his country and go to a land that He would show him. Abram was obedient and followed God. In Genesis 12:4, Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him.
The bible is clear about our purpose in life and how to live. God needs to be the center of our life. It's not about us being at the center of our life, or anyone else, or anything else. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us,
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Who will hold them accountable?
It is important for the men to remain in fellowship and stay connected with believers in the church by reading the bible together, praying together, working and serving together, encouraging one another, and correcting one another. It's important for the men to be honestly sharing their thoughts and plans with mature believers and seek wise biblical counsel before making decisions. The wisdom of Proverbs 15:22 states,
Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.
It's important for the counsel to align before making a decision. If the counsel doesn't align, then it's wise to wait.
The men who have come to Christ have been changed in their heart, mind, and spirit. Exekiel 36:26 says
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
The men have been trained and equipped in the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship during their time at Trinity. Now, it is up to them to walk with the Lord and live in the Spirit of the Lord for God's glory.
