Looking around, we will see many amateurs thriving in the marketplace. In contrast, mature prophets are scarce. What separates the amateurs from the mature ones? We see mature people like, Steve Jobs, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Barrack Obama, and ask the question, “What makes them stand out from the rest of the adult population?” They may not be in ministry, but they exhibit the way of being of a mature minister in the way they influence their respective marketplaces.

Usually, amateur prophets merely respond or concede to offers from others. They are easily swayed to compromise (recall the example set by Gehazi). Amateur prophets actually rely on offers from others instead of making offers themselves. Back in the story of Elisha, we see that he was the one offering to the Shunamite woman and Naaman how he could make their lives better. Gehazi took offers that were not even directed to him; in effect, he was stricken with leprosy.

Moreover, amateur prophets tend to wait to respond to offers. They only react to invitations, requests, and offers, and they do so to satisfy immediate needs. If they feel like their happiness or their comfort is threatened, then they react.

Moreover, the level and quality of his contribution to the marketplace and to the world where he belongs is so great that it cannot be compared to that of an amateur prophet.   The Bible shows the state of mind of the mature prophet. The Apostle James tells us, “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you” (James 1:5 NRSV). In life, you can always grow. The only question is if you will create for yourself an empty space by which God can generously fill with wisdom.

A mature prophet is someone with a higher sense of drive to fulfill the work entrusted to him. He seeks to achieve a degree of happiness and accomplishment that is beyond his current circumstances. The amateur prophet is also driven by his pursuits of fulfillment of his happiness. Moreover, the level and quality of his contribution to the marketplace and to the world where he belongs is so great that it cannot be compared with that of an amateur prophet.

As a believer,  learn about authentically living a life with Jesus as Lord.  Archbishop Jordan’s book, Prophet in the Marketplace is now available via the Book of the Month Club.

Not only does the Book of the Month Club provide a pathway to knowledge, wisdom and insight, it also sets you up to be in attendance at the Spring Session of Prophecology 2018: Birthing House: The Latter Rain, February 23-25, 2018.

Go to and join the club now!

How do you identify an amateur prophet in your ministry?