Whether you realize it or not, there is competition in the ministry – ministers deliberately trying to be different from other ministers in order to attract “customers.”
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, “I am of Paul;” and “I of Appollos;” and “I of Cephas;” and “I of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
(1 Cor. 1:11-13).
There is no room for competition among the brethren. I found I do not have to be envious of anyone’s abilities or talents, because I am unique. I am the only one like me in existence. We are all unique; consequently, we do not need to be in competition with anybody!
No One Else Can Do What You Do
No one else has been given your assignment, and no one can fulfill it except you. You do not have to be in competition because no one else can do what you can do. No one can say it like you can. No one looks like you. No one thinks like you, so there is nothing to be in competition about.
We do not need to compete with one another. All we need to do is what the Lord has told us to do. I thank God I am not trying to compete with anyone. I am just trying to do my job.
I do not want to hear God say, “Well, Fred, you are as good a preacher as so and so.” I do not want to hear that. I want to hear my Heavenly Father say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21).
It does not matter who people listen to as long as they are able to be ministered to by someone and hear the message of salvation. It does not have to be me, and it does not have to be you.
God has someone to minister to everybody. All we have to do is to be faithful to what God calls us to do. Just be faithful!
Do not get intimidated and get into competition trying to do something because other ministers have successful programs. Maybe God told them to do what they are doing. If they are doing what God told them to do, they cannot help but be successful. If God did not tell them to do what they are doing, chances are success will not be theirs.
by Frederick K.C. Price
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Apostle Frederick K.C. Price is the founder of Crenshaw Christian Center (CCC) in Los Angeles, California. He began CCC in 1973 and shepherded it into a ministry of world renown, with services held in the 10,000-seat FaithDome.
In 1978, Apostle Price received instruction from God to begin a television broadcast and, as a result, Ever Increasing Faith Ministries (EIFM) began broadcasting in five major television markets. Thus, the television broadcast soon after became global.
EIFM can be viewed on many television stations in all 50 states and in many foreign countries. Apostle Price is also heard on numerous radio programs and 19 Internet broadcast stations. Additionally, he can be seen on most social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and others. In 1990, Apostle Price founded the Fellowship of Inner-City Word of Faith Ministries (FICWFM), which later became the Fellowship of International Christian Word of Faith Ministries before disbanding in 2017. And in 2001, he established an East Coast church, Crenshaw Christian Center East.
A visionary and prolific author, Apostle Price is the author of some 50 books on faith, healing, prosperity, and the Holy Spirit. How Faith Works is a classic on the operation of faith and its life-changing principles.
Although he had already operated in the fivefold ministry gift of apostle, in 2008 Apostle Price was publicly affirmed as an apostle of faith. Under the mantle of the teaching gift, Apostle Price established several schools for ministry and formal education at CCC. Among them are Frederick K.C. Price III Christian Schools (preschool to 12th grade); the Ministry Training Institute in 1985; a CCC Correspondence School; the Frederick K.C. Price School of the Bible; and in 2008, the Apostle Price Ministry Training Center. Over the years, Apostle Price has received many prestigious awards, most notably the Horatio Alger Award and the Kelly Miller Smith Interfaith Award.
A year after his affirmation and after more than 35 years of service, Apostle Price stepped aside as pastor to formally install his son, Frederick K. Price Jr., as his successor. For years he served as the presiding prelate of both CCC West and CCC East and as the chairman of CCC’s board of directors. Having retired from his position as pastor and all other official duties, he restricts much of his travel.
A devout husband, Apostle Price has been married to Dr. Betty Price for 67 years. They are the proud parents of four children, ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
