ABOUT THE BOOK:________________

Of those gifts long-neglected by the Body of Christ, the ministry of exhortation should be the one most coveted—period. Without exhortation, nothing good is achieved. Exhortation keeps the Body moving and inspired. And as the end of time approaches, the Word has called for even more exhorting—but amazingly it does not call for more preaching.

While everyone is commanded to exhort, and everyone can exhort sometimes, some people are endowed with a special grace for exhortation—and we need them now more than ever! These exhorters are the heart of every ministry. Endowed with influence, they are persons whose few words (or many words) are the very words the rest of us wanted to say, but didn’t know how. Or else, they are the words the rest of us needed to hear.

In his 80-plus-page book, Bishop J. Louis Fonzer shares unprecedented, cutting-edge insight into the ministry of exhortation and distinguishes between the ministry of exhortation and the often much too-coveted callings of the preacher and the prophet. More importantly, he designates numerous places where the exhorter can provide unparalleled ministry.

Don’t Make Me Preach: I’m An Exhorter is certain to liberate the specially-anointed person “with a word” of exhortation who has perhaps even tried his or her hand at preaching only to fall face forward. The book is ideal reading for pastors who have been scratching their head, wondering what to do with the anointed mouthpiece who accepted a call to preach, but who was perhaps never God-called in the first place.

Persons who are called to the ministry of exhortation will immediately recognize themselves, and they will be able to find their place within the local ministry. Exhortation repositions, activates, rejuvenates, interrupts depression and revitalizes. When the exhorters are in their proper place, ministries move toward maximization. Exhorters are anointed!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 Chapter One: Don’t Make Me Preach; I’m an Exhorter

They are the life of worship services and other places where they are involved in ministry. Ministries are maximized by their presence. Because they are resources of inspiration and power, exhorters are often mistaken for preachers. If they refuse to acknowledge their anointing to speak as a call to preach, they are often accused of “sitting down on God. ”As much as exhorters are appreciated, they are also undervalued—especially if they refuse to preach, or attempt to preach and don’t do well. Because even, God-called exhorters don’t always construct the best homilies (if pulpit exhortation is part of their ministry), they are charged with being preachers who don’t preach well. Wrong. Usually they were not meant to preach but were taken or forced into the pulpit for lack of a better place to assign them. Congregations need to be taught about the priceless ministry of exhortation. Every one of us is commissioned to exhort. It is the most vital ministry to which any believer can aspire. Then again, there some people who have a special calling for it. They deliver exhortations, not sermons, and their exhortations are power-packed from beginning to end—even more than most sermons are. You will love the stories about ministry in this chapter.

Chapter Two: Pulpit Exhorters, Prophets and Preachers: What’s the

Difference?

There is definite kinship between the callings and gifting of prophets, exhorters and preachers, but there are also differences. Though any of these persons can function in all three capacities as they receive unction, the functions are separate – yet complimentary. At times, one is necessary and not the others. At other times prophecy, exhortation and preaching might need to be combined for effect. Question: What do you mean by “for effect,” or do you mean for effectiveness? In this chapter, the author delves into word meanings and Biblical descriptions of exhortation, prophecy and preaching. The argument for all three is powerful and incredibly insightful. Chapter two is sent from heaven. Perhaps the most popular chapter to those who read the book, it well answers whether one is called to preach, prophesy or exhort. You will have answers, not questions when you finish.

Chapter Three: Not Just Exhorters, but…EXHORTERS!

Ask most people what exhortation is and they will quickly tell you that it is encouragement. How untrue. While encouragement resembles exhortation in the spirit of its message, position and person determine whether the message is exhortation or encouragement. Exhortation is not nearly as passive as people tend to think. It is aggressive, purposeful, adamant and demanding. While preaching inspires faith, exhortation demands movement. Sometimes the best preaching does not inspire movement. Exhortation demands it– always. Exhorters are not second-class ministers. Whether licensed to minister or operating in a lay capacity, exhorters are not just exhorters; they are EXHORTERS. This chapter is extremely interesting and thought-provoking, and lists the defining characteristics of exhortation.

Chapter Four: Why Exhortation?

The perilous and lascivious times we live in demand ministry that extends far beyond the four walls of the sanctuary. Not only does ministry need to extend beyond church walls for the sake of lost souls, but saints need more exhortation than ever before in history. It is no wonder the Apostle Paul prescribed more and more of it for these end times. Every believer must desire to exhort and should exhort, but exhortation is an innate grace of God-called exhorters. For them, exhortation is not what they do, but who they are. The world and Church are in a dire state. Everything is seemingly up for re-examination. Doctrine is being replaced with reasonable sounding philosophy. Surely this is the time when “… there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect,” (Matt. 24:24). More than ever, persons with a special anointing to exhort must step forward to rescue us. This chapter lists twelve reasons exhortation is needed.

Chapter Five: Exhorters:

So Where Do They Fit? More than enough attention has been given to the science of preaching and teaching. It is absolutely imperative that we, in these final moments of the Church, identify and set apart exhorters to move solely in the ministry of exhortation—and now. We are desperate for their ministry and they are desperate to be positioned to bring us the stimuli we direly need. Absolutely no endeavor in the church of Jesus is effective in the absence of exhortation. Enviably, exhortation fits on every mountain and in every valley, at all times and in every season. Unfortunately, exhorters are seldom in their place. They are more often misplaced and displaced. It’s time to recognize that their value long extends past energizing a worship service. With training that is exclusive to specific tasks, they are also exceptional when it comes to at least nine places—including the pulpit. The list will surprise you.