Maybe, there are some aspects of "prophecy" that are not still hanging around today as they once were. It would be a very intriguing thing to be able to tell you that I had discovered the gift of knowing the things that were to come. I can imagine that would be quite a special feat. While prophets certainly did some of these things, this is traditionally where we cease and desist our growth in understanding the nature of prophets and prophecy. with that (mis)understanding of who the prophets of our history were, viewing a minister of the church as a prophet seems foreign.
The minister as prophet is a pivotal trait in their character. The prophets did so much more than predict the future. While this was at some point a part of the warning brought to the people, it was a small portion of their mission. As a general rule, the prophet was one who brought a word of warning to the people from God. The prophet was the one who came to say God says, "Change what you are doing... or else!" Unfortunately, it is the "or else" that we get hung up on. The fact is, as ministers, we are often called to bring a word of judgment from the Lord to His people so that we, as His people, may maintain a relationship between the lives that we lead and the will of the Father.
This responsibility should not be taken lightly or abused. We must work to develop the kinds of relationships with those we are called to minister to that are firmly rooted in love and respect. In order for messages such as these to be received well and taken to heart in such a way as to promote positive spiritual change and reflection as opposed to defensive bitterness, they must be delivered from a basis of trust and sincerity. I pray that I may take this responsibility earnestly. I pray that my God will continue to use me as a tool to bring His Word to His people in truth and love. I pray that I have the courage to deliver these words even when they cut the hearts of myself or others.
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